Westminster Abbey Is A Must-Do London Tourist Attraction 2024
February 14, 2025
My Number One Must-See Tourist Attraction- Westminster Abbey
In March 2024, during a trip to London, England, Westminster Abbey topped my must-see list. Although I had never given the church much thought—beyond its role in royal family events, which I don’t particularly follow—it became a priority once we planned our visit. Something about historic churches has fascinated me since I began photographing weddings in 2007. While the churches in Dayton, Ohio, aren’t nearly as old as Westminster Abbey, they sparked my interest in capturing the charm of old buildings. This was going to be an epic travel photography trip.
When we arrived at Westminster Abbey, I was completely blown away by its grandeur and the sheer depth of history contained within its walls. On that cool March morning, we waited outside for about half an hour before stepping inside. Each visitor was given a headset and a small device, similar to an iPhone, for a self-guided audio tour. You follow a path, and at each stop, the device provides detailed information about what you’re seeing.
As we explored the Abbey, I was awestruck. Hundreds of notable people—kings, poets, and other historical figures—are buried there. The sense of history is overwhelming when you think about the royal coronations, funerals, and weddings that have taken place in this iconic space. It’s genuinely awe-inspiring.
If you’re planning a visit, I highly recommend booking a tour as early in the morning as possible. Even with a scheduled entry time, lines can get long, so arriving early is key. When we finished our tour, the line was three to four times longer than when we arrived.
Westminster Abbey’s location is also a bonus—it’s near Big Ben, so you can grab some great photos there, and just across the river is the London Eye. While some tourist attractions like the London Eye can feel generic and skippable, Westminster Abbey is one-of-a-kind. There’s truly nothing else like it, so make it a priority if you’re visiting London!
The Tour For Kids Is Great
What made the experience even more special was the kid-friendly version of the tour provided to my daughter. Her device featured a lion narrator who explained everything in simple, engaging terms. She absolutely loved it! I wasn’t sure how she’d react since it was our first day in London and our first big attraction, but she later described it as one of her favorite parts of the trip.
