Britain · CATHEDRALS & ABBEYS

The 15 Best Cathedral & Abbey Visits in Britain

24 tours  ·  from $11

Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s and York Minster all charge entry and all close for services. These 15 cover the tickets, the tower climbs and the guided visits, with prices and the opening hours that catch people out.

London: Westminster Abbey Entrance Ticket - The nave and the Gothic interior
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London: Westminster Abbey Entrance Ticket

1.Westminster Abbey Entrance Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 11,254 reviews · 2 hours · from $41Our pick

Explore Westminster Abbey at your own pace with a multimedia guide in 12 languages. See the Coronation Chair, royal tombs, Gothic details, and Poets' Corner. Allow about two hours, arrive at the North Green ticket office, and remember that this ticket does not skip the entry line or include a live guide.

“An Amazing place to visit, which I would highly recommend. So much to see, full of history and beautiful architecture, and could have spend double the amount of time in there looking around. I bought the basic entry ticket which was fine, but I wish I had paid extra for the guided tour as much of the writing on the tombs was in Latin. Would definitely visit again as there was so much to see.”

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London: St Paul's Cathedral Entry Ticket - Using the Included Multimedia Guide
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London: St Paul’s Cathedral Entry Ticket

2.St Paul’s Cathedral Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 9,813 reviews · 1 day · from $36

Visit St Paul’s Cathedral for one day with access to the cathedral floor, crypt, and dome galleries. Use the touchscreen guide in nine languages, register for a free floor and crypt tour, and climb 528 steps to the Golden Gallery for wide London views. Bring ID if using a child, student, or senior ticket.

“Fantastic, worth every penny, and well worth the visit”

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Leeds Castle, Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury Day Trip from London with Guided Cathedral Tour - Canterbury Cathedral and the Thomas Becket story
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Leeds Castle, Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury Day Trip from London with Guided Cathedral Tour

3.Leeds Castle, Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury Day Trip from London with Guided Cathedral Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,820 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $145

Spend about 10 hours exploring Kent with an English-speaking guide, visiting Leeds Castle, Canterbury, and the White Cliffs of Dover. Your climate-controlled coach includes Wi-Fi, USB charging, and Vox headphones. Choose the Canterbury Cathedral option for entry and a guided tour. Guides such as Cameron, Phil, and Sheila have earned praise for lively storytelling.

“I had no expectations going into this. My objective was to avoid the inconvenience of driving myself. I’ve wanted to visit Canterbury for a very long time, and the Dover Cliffs are a marvel. Usually these types of tours are targeted towards the retired. I was surprised to discover I was not the only one below the age of, say, …45. Would I do it again? Probably not. Time spent at each location was much too short; especially our time at Canterbury. Visiting Dover was a joke. Much too short to even 10 minutes. The view of the cliffs was barely visible. Why not make a visit to Dover Castle…”

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London: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Buckingham Guided Tour - Starting at Parliament Square and Big Ben
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London: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Buckingham Guided Tour

4.Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Buckingham Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,170 reviews · from $101

Spend four hours with a licensed Blue Badge guide at Westminster Abbey and around royal London. See Big Ben and Parliament from outside, follow the route to Buckingham Palace, and hear stories of coronations, politics, and royal life. Groups are capped at 20, with tours offered in English, German, French, Italian, or Spanish.

“Great guide. Was a bit long but lots of information.”

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Westminster Guided Walking Tour with Abbey Entry - Buckingham Palace and the royal opening
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Westminster Guided Walking Tour with Abbey Entry

5.Westminster Guided Walking Tour with Abbey Entry

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,282 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $122Top rated

Start at The Ritz London and walk through Green Park to Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Big Ben, and Parliament Square. Your guide, often praised guides such as Ash, Ashley, Will, or Mark, handles the route and stories. After about three hours outside, enter Westminster Abbey independently with a pre-booked ticket and audio guide.

“The tour covered a lot of ground and was definitely worth doing. Our guide - Ash - was very high-energy, funny and engaging. He definitely made the dry material of royal deeds more entertaining.”

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Walking Tour of London Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham - Parliament Square and Big Ben
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Walking Tour of London Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham

6.Walking Tour of London Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,213 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $95

Follow a Blue Badge guide through Westminster, past Big Ben, Parliament, St. James’s Park, and Buckingham Palace. Choose four hours with a guided Westminster Abbey visit, or three hours with an Abbey self-visit and possible organ recital, evensong, or mass. Expect about 3.2 kilometers of walking.

“Natasha was outstanding! We take a lot of tours and she is at the very top of any guide we have ever had. Tells fantastic stories. Literally got us into Westminster Abbey as the very first guest and had it to ourselves for a few minutes Great job!!”

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St Paul's Cathedral Admission Ticket - The Cathedral Floor and Main Interior
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St Paul’s Cathedral Admission Ticket

7.St Paul’s Cathedral Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,087 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $37

Enter St Paul’s Cathedral with admission secured, then explore five levels at your own pace. Use the multimedia guide in English or other languages, or register on arrival for a free guided talk. Allow at least three hours if you want the cathedral floor, Whispering Gallery, Stone Gallery, and Golden Gallery.

“We never got our tickets from viator though the charge went through on American Express. We filed a claim to cancel the charge.”

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London: Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle, and White Cliffs - Canterbury Cathedral and the city’s pilgrim story
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London: Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle, and White Cliffs

8.Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle, and White Cliffs

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 973 reviews · 10.5 hours · from $148

Travel from London to Canterbury, Dover Castle, and the White Cliffs on a 10.5-hour English-language tour. Your guide, perhaps Callum, Nick, Andy, or Eva, handles the history and timing while you explore independently. Castle admission is included, Canterbury Cathedral entry is optional, and the comfortable coach keeps this ambitious day simple.

“The tour guide, Nick, was wonderful! All stops were amazing and there was sufficient time to explore at every stop.”

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London: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey & Big Ben Tour - Buckingham Palace and the best guard-change timing
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London: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey & Big Ben Tour

9.Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey & Big Ben Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 949 reviews · 5 hours · from $91

Meet at The Ritz London for a guided walk through Green Park, Pall Mall, Westminster, and Trafalgar Square. You’ll see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Parliament, Horse Guards Parade, and Downing Street, then enter Westminster Abbey with a pre-booked ticket. Guides such as Will, Ash, Chris, and Ari are known for lively stories and sharp local tips.

“We enjoyed learning interesting facts that weren’t well known. We wish we had gotten a closer look at Buckingham palace.”

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Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle & White Cliffs Guided Day Tour from London - The White Cliffs: a short stop with big views
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Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle & White Cliffs Guided Day Tour from London

10.Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle & White Cliffs Guided Day Tour from London

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 837 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $152

Travel from London Bridge to Dover Castle, the White Cliffs, and Canterbury Cathedral in about 10.5 hours. Your guide introduces each site, then you explore at your own pace. Expect plenty of walking, hills, and stairs, with admission included, air-conditioned transport, and guides such as Nick, Andy, Steve, and Richard leading recent departures.

“Our tour guide Steve was very informative and funny. We had an excellent time at the tunnels and in the castle. Beautiful and fun day! Jake was our driver and we were very impressed with his driving skills. Thank you!”

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From London: Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral & Dover - Starting at Victoria Coach Station
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From London: Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral & Dover

11.Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral & Dover

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 735 reviews · 10 hours · from $141

Escape London for Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, and the White Cliffs of Dover. You’ll travel by luxury coach with an English or Japanese-speaking guide, hear stories from guides such as Cameron, Manon, and Phil, and use audio commentary in several languages. The day is full but well planned, with free time at the castle and in Canterbury.

“Anna was really good. She is intelligent and well educated, and she was shared her knowledge with us. Thanks Anna, I hope see you soon.”

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Rosslyn Chapel and Scottish Borders Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh - What the Mercedes mini-coach adds
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Rosslyn Chapel and Scottish Borders Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh

12.Rosslyn Chapel and Scottish Borders Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 673 reviews · 6 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $47

Leave central Edinburgh in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach for Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose Abbey, Scott’s View, and the William Wallace Statue. Your driver-guide handles the roads while sharing Scottish history, local stories, and a few chapel mysteries. Expect about 6 hours 45 minutes, free time at each stop, and a lunch break at your own cost.

“Great guide and very knowledgeable about the chapel itself and the area we visited afterwards. He is also a very good photographer”

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Rosslyn Chapel and Hadrian's Wall Small Group Tour from Edinburgh - Melrose: lunch beside a ruined abbey
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Rosslyn Chapel and Hadrian’s Wall Small Group Tour from Edinburgh

13.Rosslyn Chapel and Hadrian’s Wall Small Group Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 673 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $123

Leave Edinburgh at 8:30 a.m. for Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose Abbey, Carter Bar, Housesteads Roman Fort, and Jedburgh. A driver-guide such as Angela, Callum, or Roddy provides live stories in a Mercedes minivan for up to 16 people. Bring lunch money, walking shoes, and rain gear. Attraction admission fees are extra.

“Beautiful scenery and our tour guide Roddey was amazing. He had so many stories and facts to share. He was engaging and funny”

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Westminster Abbey Entrance Ticket Including Audio Guide - The coronation chair and the royal tombs
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Westminster Abbey Entrance Ticket Including Audio Guide

14.Westminster Abbey Entrance Ticket Including Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 661 reviews · from $41

Enter Westminster Abbey with a timed mobile ticket and explore at your own pace using a multimedia guide in 14 languages. See royal tombs, the coronation chair, Poet’s Corner, and Gothic chapels. Allow two to three hours, arrive early, and remember that the Diamond Jubilee Galleries cost extra.

“To just say this is a beautiful place doesn't do it justice. The architecture is incredible. There are also notable persons buried here.”

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Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Cliffs of Dover Day Trip - Canterbury Cathedral: the day’s essential interior
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Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Cliffs of Dover Day Trip

15.Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Cliffs of Dover Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 487 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $145

Travel by air-conditioned coach from London to Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and the White Cliffs of Dover. Expect expert commentary, a 53-person maximum group, time for lunch at your own cost, and a short Dover photo stop. Entry to Leeds Castle and Canterbury Cathedral depends on the option you book.

“A wonderful day during the off peak season so it wasn't too overcrowded. Sufficient time was had at the Leeds Castle and Canterbury Cathedral. However, due to time restraints and as advertised, we only had a photo stop at The White Cliffs of Dover where I would have liked to have explored more. Respectively, our knowledgeable tour guide Chrissy and the driver, Marlon, we're superb. It can differ but our coach had USB ports which was ideal but the WiFi was more miss than hit!”

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