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Hidden Highlights tour was brilliant - Westminster Abbey

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Hidden Highlights tour was brilliant

The Hidden Highlights tour was absolutely brilliant - not only a chance to see 'behind the scenes' where you usually couldn't see, including the beautiful Jerusalem chamber where Henry IV died, to the excavation of the Medieval Sacristy, to London's oldest Library. The tour size is small (10) and the guide is very knowledgable and we were able to spend a long amount of time in each part of the tour, with lots of time for questions. It never felt rushed and due to the small group size no-one missed anything. The tour was 90 minutes so you definitely get your money's worth, especially as you end in the Jubilee Gallery which has an additional cost anyway. It seems at the moment these tours are not continuing past the Summer, I hope they do reconsider this as it's such a brilliant and unique tour. I would also love for the Abbey to do other 'secret' tours like this to areas not usually accessible. As for the Abbey itself, there's a lot to see with historic figures everywhere you look, beautiful stained glass. It's worth paying extra to visit the Diamond Jubilee Galleries as the objects on display, including funeral effigies from the medieval era onwards provide a fascinating history, alongside historic clergy robes, fabrics, and historical objects. Including the 90 minute tour I spent three hours in the Abbey and could have easily spent longer but it felt like too much for a single visit. I certainly plan to visit again at some point in the future, and I will probably pay for a multimedia guide for additional information, and hopefully look out for more interesting tours. I just wanted to write this review to hopefully encourage the Abbey to continue to run these tours, and consider more tours and to encourage any London local or tourist to put this on a 'must see' list to visit, not just because of the beauty of the building but the history behind it.

Thank you very much for your feedback. It's great to read how much you enjoyed the tour, especially as they are a new addition to our programme of onsite activities. We hope to continue the Hidden Highlights tour into September and beyond, and will announce details of this shortly via our website and social media channels. Best wishes Visitor Experience Team Westminster Abbey

Incredible history. If there was a medal for name-dropping, this place would take gold every time. Just about every monarch, artist, poet and writer is here. The absolute highlight (if that's the right term) is the tomb of the unknown warrior. Amongst the hundreds of years of royal history is this; the only tombstone in the Abbey which it is forbidden to walk on. The history of how the body was selected and bought to Britain is a true mark of respect and honour.

Always wanted to visit and it did not disappoint, took about 90mins to walk around without a tour. So much history and I would recommend a visit.

The Abbey has some incredible history and contains so many national assets. So it was disappointing that the web purchase experience was so antiquated (the tickets never arrived - a problem experienced by others in the queue and clearly many others on social media), the person on the turnstile was so plain rude (“I want to see this and I want to see that”. “You must shown me that again”!) and the welcome inside smacked more of crowd control than Christianity. As a Brit I was embarrassed. Can I suggest those purporting to run the Abbey (and charging £18 for entry) go to the Tower of London, ranked #1 in London, to learn what a great experience is. We went in the afternoon and it was a delight.

We spent a recent morning here. Opted for the audio guide which gives you a guided tour of approx 1 hour. The history of the abbey is wonderful. Definitely recommend a visit.

wonderful Gothic gem with so much history--audio guides were helpful but you could take a day!! The Queens gallery was wonderful and with views

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Westminster Abbey Hidden Highlights Tour - Westminster Abbey

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Westminster Abbey Hidden Highlights Tour

We took the Hidden Highlights tour which was exceptional. Our guide, Joe, was friendly, knowledgeable, and patient. He took us inside for a close up and detailed viewing of the Coronation Chair, Jerusalem Hall, the Treasury, the Library, and up into the Shrine of Saint Edward the Confessor. We also got a behind the scene view of the ongoing excavation just outside which included ruins and skeletons and where we encountered an infant fox. Great add on to a visit to Westminster Abbey.

It goes without saying that when in London visiting Westminster abbey is a must but I wasn’t prepared to be so fascinated by this immersion in history and architectural delight. The queue to get in was long but fast so don’t be deterred however the timed slot we booked seems a bit pointless. It is only an indication, we were told, so no panic but it also means no guarantee to be let in punctually. Bizarre. We chose the audio guide which was great and allows you to skip or re-listen to certain parts. We spent nearly 4h there including the new Queen’s jubilee galleries, which staircase in itself is worth the climb (it’s a gentle one and there is also a lift). The abbey has many stories to tell, and is rich in artwork. Take your time. Look up, the gothic arches are exquisite! I particularly liked the story about the effigies specially showcases in the new section (which requires a separate ticket).

westminster abbey hidden highlights tour november

We've been twice before for the history, but this time, we attended service. Beautiful! In our opinion, you can't go to London and not visit Westminster Abbey. This is where the kings and queens of England are buried, starting with Edward the Confessor. It's incredible.

I visited the Abbey on 15th March this year with my wife and her sister, on a visit to London from Paris for her. We wanted to attend the midday service. We did attend the service, but decided to leave before the communion part. We had sat at the rear of the seating - in case we wanted to leave before the formal end of proceedings. We did not want to disturb other attendees. As we left we were rudely and quite aggressively corralled to the exit of the Abbey. We were left feeling disappointed, surprised and offended. I was embarrassed for my sister in-law and wife.

This abbey never disappoints. There is just so much to see and takes a good two hours at least to do the place justice. Always worth a trip to.

A beautiful Abbey, but so crammed full of tombs and historically significant burials, you could literally spend a whole day there for sure. Staff are helpful and informative. I would suggest the audio guide, to help you get the most from your visit.

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Hidden Highlights tour was brilliant - Westminster Abbey

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Hidden Highlights tour was brilliant

The Hidden Highlights tour was absolutely brilliant - not only a chance to see 'behind the scenes' where you usually couldn't see, including the beautiful Jerusalem chamber where Henry IV died, to the excavation of the Medieval Sacristy, to London's oldest Library. The tour size is small (10) and the guide is very knowledgable and we were able to spend a long amount of time in each part of the tour, with lots of time for questions. It never felt rushed and due to the small group size no-one missed anything. The tour was 90 minutes so you definitely get your money's worth, especially as you end in the Jubilee Gallery which has an additional cost anyway. It seems at the moment these tours are not continuing past the Summer, I hope they do reconsider this as it's such a brilliant and unique tour. I would also love for the Abbey to do other 'secret' tours like this to areas not usually accessible. As for the Abbey itself, there's a lot to see with historic figures everywhere you look, beautiful stained glass. It's worth paying extra to visit the Diamond Jubilee Galleries as the objects on display, including funeral effigies from the medieval era onwards provide a fascinating history, alongside historic clergy robes, fabrics, and historical objects. Including the 90 minute tour I spent three hours in the Abbey and could have easily spent longer but it felt like too much for a single visit. I certainly plan to visit again at some point in the future, and I will probably pay for a multimedia guide for additional information, and hopefully look out for more interesting tours. I just wanted to write this review to hopefully encourage the Abbey to continue to run these tours, and consider more tours and to encourage any London local or tourist to put this on a 'must see' list to visit, not just because of the beauty of the building but the history behind it.

Thank you very much for your feedback. It's great to read how much you enjoyed the tour, especially as they are a new addition to our programme of onsite activities. We hope to continue the Hidden Highlights tour into September and beyond, and will announce details of this shortly via our website and social media channels. Best wishes Visitor Experience Team Westminster Abbey

Incredible history. If there was a medal for name-dropping, this place would take gold every time. Just about every monarch, artist, poet and writer is here. The absolute highlight (if that's the right term) is the tomb of the unknown warrior. Amongst the hundreds of years of royal history is this; the only tombstone in the Abbey which it is forbidden to walk on. The history of how the body was selected and bought to Britain is a true mark of respect and honour.

Always wanted to visit and it did not disappoint, took about 90mins to walk around without a tour. So much history and I would recommend a visit.

The Abbey has some incredible history and contains so many national assets. So it was disappointing that the web purchase experience was so antiquated (the tickets never arrived - a problem experienced by others in the queue and clearly many others on social media), the person on the turnstile was so plain rude (“I want to see this and I want to see that”. “You must shown me that again”!) and the welcome inside smacked more of crowd control than Christianity. As a Brit I was embarrassed. Can I suggest those purporting to run the Abbey (and charging £18 for entry) go to the Tower of London, ranked #1 in London, to learn what a great experience is. We went in the afternoon and it was a delight.

We spent a recent morning here. Opted for the audio guide which gives you a guided tour of approx 1 hour. The history of the abbey is wonderful. Definitely recommend a visit.

wonderful Gothic gem with so much history--audio guides were helpful but you could take a day!! The Queens gallery was wonderful and with views

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Stuff About London

A blog on london history - and other stuff, westminster abbey’s hidden highlights tour.

08/02/2022 donbrown churches , The Blog , Westminster Abbey 0

westminster abbey hidden highlights tour november

I am a jaded old cynic, a London Blue Badge Guide who has taken people round Westminster Abbey what, 200? 300 times? Pre-covid, some weeks I was taking tours three or four times a week, desperately trying not to sound like a man on autopilot as I talked about (yet again) Scientists’ Corner or the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

But the Hidden Highlights tour I went on this morning… Oh man, my socks have been blown so far off they’re probably halfway to the USA.

This is a £15 add-on to the normal entrance fee* and is worth every penny and more, showing you parts of the Abbey that are generally not things that any visitor sees. 

*(I should just say that, despite my negativity in the opening par, right now is a great time to visit the Abbey. There are no crowds; you feel you have the whole place to yourself. And these days they allow photography as well. If you’ve never been, or only seen it at the height of the tourist season, you should definitely go now. Details here, or contact me if you’re after a private tour .)

Back to the Hidden Highlights. There were just two of us paying punters this morning, but as the maximum number on any tour is 14, it is never going to feel oppressive. One starts at the archaeological dig that is taking place on the site of the 13th century Sacristy , on the north side of the building. The Abbey plan a visitor centre here to allow for a better visitor flow at the entrance (and so those queuing to get in – assuming we get back to pre-covid levels – don’t have to do so in the rain). Under the foundations of the sacristy they have uncovered a graveyard, with remains from the 10th century (the time of the founding of Dunstan’s original abbey) plus two chalk tombs from Saxon times (i.e. 1400 years ago). There are complete skeletons in situ, loose bones are scattered on or protrude from the soil. One can gaze upon an intact skull and realise that this person was walking around this area more than 1000 years ago. It is incredibly moving, a tangible link to history as well as to one’s own mortality.

One then progresses to the St George’s Chapel, just to the right as one goes into the main building by the West Door. Here one is within touching distance of the Coronation Chair , close enough to make out the individual graffiti scratched on the back and the seat of this 700 year old piece of furniture. I’ve been on the other side of glass on this chapel on innumerable occasions, so to be on the inside looking out was something very special.

Then to the chapel behind the High Altar to sit beside the shrine to St Edward, who as the King of England, Edward the Confessor was the monarch responsible for giving the abbey its prominence and longevity. He endowed the small 10th century establishment with wealth and property, and financed the first stone abbey, consecrated in 1065. This shrine was an important site of mediaeval pilgrimage, and the reason why his devotee Henry III financed the construction of the sublime gothic building we see today. (Henry is buried close to Edward’s tomb, as are three other kings and four queens of England).

Next is the Abbey library, to be among 11,000 books dating from the 15th century onwards and to see manuscript fragments from the time of the Confessor, or an illuminated manuscript showing the coronation of King John. This is housed in the former monastic dormitory – and has been since 1591 , the reign of Elizabeth I – above the east side of the cloisters.

The tour ends in the new triforium museum, the Diamond Jubilee Galleries , to see the fabulous view along the length of the building to the West Door, taking in Edward’s shrine, the Cosmati pavement, the Quire and the nave, as well as medieval treasures such as the 14th century  The Litlyngton Missal , a wondrous illuminated manuscript, and the Liber Regalis, the ‘how to’ guide for the staging of coronations.

The Hidden Highlights tours take place twice a day nearly every day until the end of March. You really, really, need to make sure you do this tour – if a jaded old cynic like me can come away from it buzzing like I have, you are going to find it utterly compelling.

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Westminster Abbey Hidden Highlights

Do any of you know if the Hidden Highlights Tour on the website is the same as the Verger Tour?

I had thought that I needed to book a general admission and then pay the extra fee once we got there, but the option for HH is on the site, with one timeslot showing for one hour.

If they are the same, do we join that Tour after our regular admission at 10:30? How does that work?

Also, it says "stepped access" - I know the Queen's Galleries have steps coming back down, anyone know if these are the steps they're referring to? Significant upwards steps would be tricky.

Any info you have would be appreciated 😊.

The information page on the Galleries says a lift is available for those with limited mobility. Would that help?

https://www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us/plan-your-visit/the-queens-diamond-jubilee-galleries

Yes I saw that I just wasn't sure if that was the only stepped area or if the HH tour covers other stepped areas without lift access?

Also, is this the Verger Tour just with a new name?

It doesn't appear so as "Hidden Highlights" shows as a pre-bookable option on the Westminster site but the Verger Tour does not; you can't join one of those tours until you've already arrived at the abbey, and if there's room for you. They also don't make mention of seeing the Jubilee Gallery on the Verger tour like they do for "Hidden Highlights" so they're different tours.

Hidden Highlights tour (and how to book): https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-events/special-tours-and-events/2021/october/hidden-highlights-tour

Verger Tour: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us/guided-tours

It's been a few years since I've done the Verger's tour and this is definitely different. The only duplication seems to be the Shrine of Edward the Confessor which the Verger tour visits also. The floor there is apparently very weak and can't withstand a lot of traffic so regular visitors are not allowed in there.

I'd also recommend you download the official audio tour which you can go back and do after your other tour.

I'm also wondering if it's only offered in the off season? Looks really interesting. I'd like to see those nooks and crannies!

Pam and Kathy,

This is all super helpful!! So the HH tour is more in depth than the Verger Tour?

Does it cover everything that the Verger Tour covers?

Any idea if you would first Tour on your own and then join HH?

THANK YOU SO MUCH

It does not look like they cover the same things. To me (and this is just conjecture) the HH tour might be something a repeat visitor might go for. The verger tour just covers the main things on the Abbey main floor. The plus is you've got a live person you can ask questions and they tell great stories.

I had trouble locating a map (possibly user error, lol) but here is a link for a Self-led tour for groups. The only difference is the Verger tour starts at the North entrance, does the stops in the order of 3, 2, 1, 4, 5, 5.5 which is the Tomb of Edward the Confessor that's not shown on here, then 6 and on around with the rest of the numbers.

https://www.westminster-abbey.org/media/4518/self-led-groups-map.pdf

On your own, be sure to go to the College Garden if it's open for visitors. The restaurant/cafe there used to be pretty good. Obviously haven't been since pre-Covid but I assume it's still a good place to have a seat, a bite of lunch and continue to see things afterward.

Editing to add: I found this floor plan on Wiki. It's not better than the PDF above but it does show the chapel of Edward the Confessor.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Layout_Of_Westminster_Abby.svg

Thanks Pam!

We've booked the HH tour! We'll do the audio tour on our own first, then stick around for Hidden Highlights afterwards.

So excited!!

That sounds like a great plan! I love Westminster Abbey!

Hello...we are planning to be in London the first week in May but I see that the HH tours are listed only through April. Any insight if these tours will extend beyond April? Any advice on a tour guide vs. self-guided tour? Thank you! Have found these posts to be very helpful--appreciate and have learned from reading everyone's comments.

No way to know if they will be extended, but I'd expect them to have updated by now for May.

You could always keep checking, or you could try to get on a Verger Tour which was our original plan. Things are always changing, but when I last checked they were doing 2 a day, at 11 and 1130. They ask you to book admission for 30 minutes before the timeslot and then you see if there is availability then and pay the extra fee.

Hope this helps,

It’s interesting that nothing has been updated beyond April, not even music and worship events. Will keep watch!

Hi to another planning Queen. When is your trip? I am hoping to go in September and even though I have been to the Abbey many, many times this looks like a fun tour. I have done the Verger tour back in 2011 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Please update this thread after your trip and let us know how you liked it.

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Westminster Abbey Tour

Exterior of Westminster Abbey. Photo Credit: © Ursula Petula Barzey.

Explore Westminster Abbey, Britain’s most famous church and one of the most popular visitor attractions in London

A Westminster Abbey Tour is unmissable because…

Westminster Abbey is simply unique. Almost 1000 years old, it’s known as the royal church, built by kings for kings. Under its graceful gothic arches, history has been made…the coronations of 39 monarchs, many royal weddings, and state funerals. It’s also a sacred place of burial and commemoration. Look out for some very famous graves and memorials – some of which you may be surprised to see in the Abbey!

The must-sees of a Westminster Abbey Tour

  • The Coronation site – see where Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953.
  • The spot where Prince William and Kate Middleton were married in 2011.
  • The exquisite Lady Chapel – burial place of King Henry VII.
  • The most important grave in Britain – The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior .
  • The shrine of King Edward the Confessor .
  • The tombs of Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots .
  • The 700-year-old Coronation Throne .
  • Poets Corner with tombs and memorials including William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Geoffrey Chaucer .

Book a Blue Badge Tourist Guide for a Westminster Abbey Tour because…

  • You’ll enjoy faster entry to Westminster Abbey.
  • A guided tour of the highlights and the hidden gems.
  • Expert knowledge of Westminster Abbey’s history and the lives of the people commemorated there.
  • Fascinating accounts of royal marriages, coronations, and conflicts.
  • Inspiring stories of pioneering scientists, writers, and statesmen.
  • A tour tailored to the interests and needs of your group.

Please bear in mind that these are not public tours, but private tours conducted by specialist Blue Badge Tourist Guides who will charge a separate fee, details of which can be found on our fees page.

Exterior of Westminster Abbey. Photo Credit: © Ursula Petula Barzey.

Let us 'Match' you with one of our Blue Badge Tourist Guides who are:

  • Friendly, professional and used to dealing with groups of all ages and sizes
  • Holders of the prestigious Blue Badge (the highest Tourist Guiding qualification in the UK)
  • Able to use special entrances at certain well known attractions to avoid waiting in long lines
  • Able to offer tours in over 30 different languages

westminster abbey hidden highlights tour november

Simply input your tour request details in the form below. When you have finished, hit the Green ‘Submit to Match’ button. Your request will be instantly emailed to three highly qualified and enthusiastic London Blue Badge Tourist Guides, matching your criteria. They will then email you confirming availability, pricing and suggestions for the tour itself. So let one of our 500+ Blue Badge Tourist Guides make your stay in London a special one.

Short notice request! We will do our best to accommodate your needs, but generally try to give at least two days notice.

Date of tour: Flexible dates Coming to London for a whole week? Let the guide know that the date is flexible, so they can suggest an upcoming event or a less crowded time for the tour. (+/- 3 days)

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Duration: Morning Half day tour up to 4 hours maximum, usually expected to finish by 13:00 Afternoon Half day tour up to 4 hours maximum, usually expected to start by 13:30 All Day Full days are up to 9 hours, usually finishing no later than 18:00 Evening Only Half day tour up to 4 hours maximum, usually expected to start no earlier than 18:00

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Tickets Alert: Tour’s of Westminster Abbey’s hidden highlights

Xtickets alert: tour’s of westminster abbey’s hidden highlights.

There’s a chance to explore behind the scenes of Westminster Abbey on a guided tour of some areas not usually open to the public.

The 90-minute tours will take in the lost medieval sacristy, recently revealed during one of their biggest ever archaeological projects, and the library, formerly part of the monk’s dormitory with a magnificent 15th-century oak roof and majestic 17th-century bookcases. The tours will also include the Jerusalem Chamber where Henry IV died in 1413.

Abbey library (c) Westminster Abbey

The tour also takes in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries , opened in 2018 and displaying many of the Abbey’s treasures – which is normally open to the public for an extra £5  on their normal entry charge.

Although photography is now allowed inside the Abbey, it’s not allowed on the hidden highlights tours. Also, children are not allowed on the hidden highlights tours as part of the tour covers an excavated burial site.

The tours are an add-on to the existing Abbey entry price, so you need to book a normal adult entry ticket which is £24, then add the Hidden Highlights tour, which costs £15.

You need to book both entry tickets and tours at the same time, from here .

Alternatively, by joining the Abbey Association , which costs £40 per year, you get unlimited visits in the year, saves you £24 per visit and gets some special events thrown in for members.

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I did this tour last year, really amazing and interesting tour, and for a tenner, ridiculously good value!

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Hidden Treasures tour brilliant - Westminster Abbey

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Hidden Treasures tour brilliant

Just had the most amazing hidden treasures tour, Ash our guide was really knowledgeable and friendly and it was fantastic to see parts of the Abbey that are not open to everyone. It is well worth the extra money.

We visited in early July 2021, we hadnt booked and just qued up in the hope of being able to get tickets to get in as soon as they opened. We were lucky. We werent offered or they werent mentioned, audio guides but we saw others with them as we were going around and wish we had been asked as we had had been offered free ones in St Paul's when we had visited there and it did make it more enjoyable and interesting. We had already gone round quite a bit before we noticed other people with them so dont know if it was just for other languages and it was too late for us then to go and ask. As I say there is a lot to see and to me personally the building has been allowed to have too many tombs over the years which take away from the building especially the large ones. But still very interesting and lovely building.

westminster abbey hidden highlights tour november

The Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, or Westminster Abbey as it is lovingly referred to with awe and reverence is the most famous, historic, and stunningly beautiful building in all of Britain. If you had time to visit only one place in London then Westminster Abbey would be it as no other place combines the majesty, glory, history and story of Britain with such grace and sense of reverence. Sure, British history is filled with less savory periods and characters and they should not be forgotten, but a visit to Westminster Abbey is a chance to reflect on some of the best of Britain. There are some 3,300 people buried at Westminster among them some 16 monarchs, 8 prime ministers, Sir Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, Geoffrey Chaucer, the unknown soldier, and one of my favorites, William Wilberforce – a politician who became a leading abolitionist in Britain and worked to end slavery. There are so many highlights to any visit to Westminster Abbey (Battle of Britain Window, Order of Bath Chapel, the lattice-work of the vaulted ceiling, the Coronation Chair, Poets Corner, the tombs of Queens Elizabeth and Mary, the stained glass window of St George and Archangel Michael, and the Statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr over the Great West Door as part of a memorial to 20th century martyrs), but I want to give a shout out to the relatively recent addition of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Galleries some 52 feet above the Abbey floor. The gallery offers unparalleled views of the cathedral (including Edward the Confessor’s grave) and contains some interesting museum pieces. Make sure when you order your tickets to the Abbey ahead of your visit add the Jubilee Galleries (a separate ticket) as no visit would be complete without both. Leave about 2-3 hours for your visit.

westminster abbey hidden highlights tour november

Magnificent interior. Enjoyed spending my afternoon in the one of the oldest abbeys in the world. Recommending to visit!

Oh what a breathtaking history! The site of every Coronation since 1066, 16 royal weddings, resting place of 30 kings and queens, and countless memorials to the famous and the great. Minimum 2.5 hours needed, not counting gallery upstairs. The Lady Chapel is overwhelmingly beautiful, especially the lace ceiling! The Corner of the Innocents is very touching, You can see the image of the little Princess Sophia in the mirror above her crib, the white urn contains the remains of the two murdered Princes from the Tower of London. Mary, Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I, the daughter of Henry VIII, Richard II with his Queen all have the most elaborate tombs. this is a must visit in London. The bathrooms are located towards the exit, and there is a café selling refreshments and hot chocolate right next door to the Abbey, and they have a fair prices.

westminster abbey hidden highlights tour november

Attended here during a recent visit and done the audio tour. The Abbey was amazing. Seeing all the crypts of so many royals and their family along with other famous people. The architecture was stunning. There was also a service during our visit which was lovelly

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Highlights:.

  • Hit the Red Square;
  • Explore the nooks and crannies of Alexander Garden;
  • Get a taste of the ancient Kitay Gorod;
  • Learn about the tragic destiny of the Christ the Savior Cathedral;
  • Roam through the heart of Moscow.

Walking Tour Itinerary:

Here are our TOP 7 things to help you start your Russian adventure or tick off before you say goodbye to Moscow.

Wander around the vast cobblestone square with rich past, gorgeous architecture, incredible GUM , bright colors of the Kremlin and swirling Saint Basil’s Cathedral .

Kitay Gorod

Walk across the Red Square to see the embankment of old Moscow river and plunge into the atmosphere of ancient Russian village where nobles preferred to settle in XV century.

Varvarka street

Walk up Varvarka street to find the landmark of Kitay Gorod - Palace of the Romanov Boyars, which was built in the XVI century and where lived the first Tsar from the Romanov dynasty.

Old English Court

Look at the Old English Court , which used to be the English Embassy in Moscow and where Ivan the Terrible confined the envoy from England, because Queen Elizabeth I refused to marry him.

Alexander Garden

Watch the solemn ceremony of the Changing of the guards , pay respect to the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier , and the stone Grotto , The huge fountain in the centre adds a sophisticated feel to the almost 200 year old garden.

Christ the Savior Cathedral

Walk to the cathedral which is of a great cultural value to Russians. Its marvelous exterior, enormous golden domes, colossal bronze doors and pristine white walls will touch your feelings.

Patriarch’s Bridge

Pause on the bridge and marvel at the Kremlin, river cruises, monument after Peter the Great and Red October Chocolate Factory , which is now a nightlife hub for youngsters.

About Moscow:

We picked up a list of article that might be useful and helpful to you during your stay in Moscow. These are things to do in Moscow, tips about Moscow, best cafes in Moscow and simply fun facts about Moscow. Enjoy reading!

Before coming to Moscow:

  • Our fun guides sharing their observations about their tours and best practices:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-private-guides-on-tours-in-moscow
  • What you should know about Moscow:  
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/5-things-to-know-before-you-go-to-moscow

Off the beaten path of Moscow:

  • Kitay Gorod:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-must-see-fun-facts-about-kitay-gorod
  • Zamoskvorechye:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-must-see-fun-facts-about-zamoskvorechye
  • White City:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-off-the-beaten-path-white-city  

The best parks in Moscow:

  • Muzeon Statues Park:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-off-the-beaten-path-muzeon-park
  • Gorky Park: 
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-gorky-park
  • Tsaritsino Park: 
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-must-see-37-reasons-to-visit-tsaritsyno
  • Kolomenskoe Park:
  •   https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/things-to-do-in-moscow-kolomenskoe-museum-reserve

The most historical and beautiful streets of Moscow:

  • Arbat  srreet: 
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/things-to-do-in-moscow-arbat-street
  • Tverskaya street: 
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-things-to-do-tverskaya-street
  • Downtown of Moscow: 
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/things-to-do-moscow-streets

What to do in Moscow:

  • How to have a Real Russian Experience:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/real-russian-experience
  • Things to do in Moscow:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/21-things-to-do-in-moscow
  • Architectural masterpieces, hidden gems of Moscow:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/things-to-do-in-moscow-off-the-beaten-path
  • Top Moscow attractions:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/top-10-moscow-attractions

Budget travel:

  • How to have fun in Moscow for less than $4:
  • How to save money in Moscow:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/7-ways-to-save-money-while-travelling-to-moscow

Cafes & restaurants in Moscow:

  • Moscow cafes with Russian breakfast:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-cafes-with-russian-breakfast
  • Best Moscow restaurants:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/best-moscow-restaurants
  • Best coffee shops in Moscow:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-best-coffee-shops

Moscow Metro:

  • Facts about Moscow Metro:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/fun-facts-about-moscow-metro
  • Myths about Moscow Metro:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/7-myths-about-moscow-metro
  • Facts about Moscow:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/fun-facts-50-facts-about-moscow
  • Fun Facts about Kremlin:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/33-fun-facts-from-our-kremlin-tours
  • The best flea markets in Moscow:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/moscow-best-flea-markets
  • Top 5 Russian souvenirs:
  • https://friendlylocalguides.com/blog/top-5-russian-souvenirs

What you get:

  • + A friend in Moscow.
  • + Private & customized Moscow tour.
  • + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
  • + An authentic experience of local life.
  • + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
  • + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
  • + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
  • + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
  • + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

IMAGES

  1. What To See At London's Westminster Abbey, The Complete Guide

    westminster abbey hidden highlights tour november

  2. Westminster Abbey Self Guided Tour

    westminster abbey hidden highlights tour november

  3. Westminster Abbey Self Guided Tour

    westminster abbey hidden highlights tour november

  4. The Hidden Details of Westminster Abbey

    westminster abbey hidden highlights tour november

  5. Westminster Abbey’s Hidden Highlights Tour

    westminster abbey hidden highlights tour november

  6. Guided Tour of Westminster Abbey & Royal Sights of London

    westminster abbey hidden highlights tour november

COMMENTS

  1. Events at Westminster Abbey

    Events at Westminster Abbey. Special services, concerts, lectures, events for families and more - there's something for everyone at the Abbey. Many of our events are free and open to anyone. ... Hidden Highlights tour - April. 1st - 30th April 2024 . Times vary The Abbey £15 . Fraternité Family Fun: Shield Shenanigans ...

  2. Hidden Highlights tour

    1st - 30th March 2024 Times vary The Abbey £15 Book Abbey and Highlights tour tickets Explore behind the scenes of the Abbey on a guided tour of some areas not usually open to the public. On the tour you will be able to visit the Library , formerly part of the monk's dormitory with a magnificent 15th century oak roof and majestic 17th ...

  3. Hidden Highlights tour

    Explore behind the scenes of the Abbey on a guided tour of some areas not usually open to the public.

  4. Hidden Highlights tour was brilliant

    Review of Westminster Abbey. Reviewed August 7, 2021. The Hidden Highlights tour was absolutely brilliant - not only a chance to see 'behind the scenes' where you usually couldn't see, including the beautiful Jerusalem chamber where Henry IV died, to the excavation of the Medieval Sacristy, to London's oldest Library.

  5. Try the hidden highlights tour!

    If you can, take the hidden highlights tour. It is amazing. You get to step away from the crowd and see amazing things at such a beautiful location. Our guide was truly wonderful. What an outstanding opportunity to be in the room on the other side of the glass and look at the coronation chair, and so much more.

  6. Hidden Highlights Tour

    Westminster Abbey: Hidden Highlights Tour - See 24,893 traveler reviews, 11,186 candid photos, and great deals for London, UK, at Tripadvisor. ... After the Hidden Highlights Tour we had lunch in the Cafe and then went back to do the general tour with the audio guide since we hadn't been there for 7 years and appreciated the review ...

  7. Hidden Highlights tour was brilliant

    Review of Westminster Abbey. Reviewed 7 August 2021. The Hidden Highlights tour was absolutely brilliant - not only a chance to see 'behind the scenes' where you usually couldn't see, including the beautiful Jerusalem chamber where Henry IV died, to the excavation of the Medieval Sacristy, to London's oldest Library.

  8. Westminster Abbey Hidden Highlights Tour

    Westminster Abbey: Westminster Abbey Hidden Highlights Tour - See 24,885 traveler reviews, 11,134 candid photos, and great deals for London, UK, at Tripadvisor.

  9. Hidden Highlights tour was brilliant

    Westminster Abbey: Hidden Highlights tour was brilliant - See 24,678 traveler reviews, 10,608 candid photos, and great deals for London, UK, at Tripadvisor.

  10. Westminster Abbey's Hidden Highlights Tour

    Back to the Hidden Highlights. There were just two of us paying punters this morning, but as the maximum number on any tour is 14, it is never going to feel oppressive. One starts at the archaeological dig that is taking place on the site of the 13th century Sacristy, on the north side of the building. The Abbey plan a visitor centre here to ...

  11. Tickets Alert: Hidden highlights tours of Westminster Abbey

    The tours are an add-on to the existing Abbey entry price, so you need to book a normal adult entry ticket which is £27, then add the Hidden Highlights tour, which costs £15. Alternatively, by joining the Abbey Association, which costs £40 per year, you get unlimited visits in the year, which saves you £27 per visit and gets you some extra ...

  12. Westminster Abbey Hidden Highlights

    Minnesota 🎒. 03/27/22 10:31 AM. 15619 posts. It doesn't appear so as "Hidden Highlights" shows as a pre-bookable option on the Westminster site but the Verger Tour does not; you can't join one of those tours until you've already arrived at the abbey, and if there's room for you. They also don't make mention of seeing the Jubilee Gallery on ...

  13. Loved the Hidden Highlights tour

    Westminster Abbey: Loved the Hidden Highlights tour - See 24,889 traveler reviews, 11,176 candid photos, and great deals for London, UK, at Tripadvisor. ... Had visited the Abbey on a previous trip but went back for a Hidden Highlights tour. Our guide Frankie was knowledgeable and funny. Our small group has access to areas where visitors are ...

  14. Westminster Abbey Tour

    A guided tour of the highlights and the hidden gems. Expert knowledge of Westminster Abbey's history and the lives of the people commemorated there. Fascinating accounts of royal marriages, coronations, and conflicts. Inspiring stories of pioneering scientists, writers, and statesmen. A tour tailored to the interests and needs of your group.

  15. Tickets Alert: Tour's of Westminster Abbey's hidden highlights

    The tours are an add-on to the existing Abbey entry price, so you need to book a normal adult entry ticket which is £24, then add the Hidden Highlights tour, which costs £15. You need to book both entry tickets and tours at the same time, from here. Alternatively, by joining the Abbey Association, which costs £40 per year, you get unlimited ...

  16. Go Behind the Scenes at Westminster Abbey

    One section of the Westminster Abbey complex that we can't see today is the Sacristy. It was an area where monks kept the sacred items used during mass and was built in the 1250s under King Henry III. From the outside today all you will see are these hoardings, but on the tour we went behind them to get a closer look at the ruins.

  17. Hidden Highlights tour

    About the tour. On this 75-minute tour you will visit areas of the Abbey not normally open to the public. You will see the lost medieval sacristy, recently revealed during one of our biggest ever archaeological projects, and: . Library, formerly part of the monk's dormitory with a magnificent 15th century oak roof and majestic 17th century bookcases

  18. City Sightseeing Moscow with private guide

    Highlights: Explore most popular parks of Moscow; Get this special feeling of the ancient times; Experience the best route of a local public trolley; Take a ride along the border of medieval Moscow; Take a stroll through the city's only hanging bridge; See stunning, extraordinary sculptures and statues in Muzeon park;

  19. Moscow Bike TOur

    Our tours differ and depend on whether you are interested in city scenery or nature-like landscape. A variety of places in Moscow are great for riding a bike: these are large parks, yards with old mansions, and historical streets in the centre. Let's see what's waiting for you! Here are 4 suggested itineraries for a 3-hour tour:.

  20. difference between Hidden highlights and Verger tour W/Abbey

    We did the Hidden tour in addition to an audio tour of the Abbey, and it was well worth it. You'll get to see some of the most interesting and historically significant parts of the church, plus the Jubilee galleries. For the latter, I'd say an hour is enough for an overview, but allow two if you want to study each and every object closely ...

  21. Ultimate tour in Moscow: 3 or 4 day

    Description. This 7 Realms Ultimate tour of Moscow can be 3-Day tour, with 7 hours each day, or 4-Day tour, with 5 hours each day. This bespoke history-culture-art itinerary is the ultimate guide of Moscow with authentic Russian, Ukranian and Georgian cuisines along the way. Ready for adventure?

  22. Hidden Treasures tour brilliant

    Westminster Abbey: Hidden Treasures tour brilliant - See 24,894 traveler reviews, 11,187 candid photos, and great deals for London, UK, at Tripadvisor. ... There are so many highlights to any visit to Westminster Abbey (Battle of Britain Window, Order of Bath Chapel, the lattice-work of the vaulted ceiling, the Coronation Chair, Poets Corner ...

  23. Moscow Free Tour

    Start time: any time. Extra hours: If you are having a good time and want your tour last a little bit longer, you are welcome to do that. Please note: You will be charged 20 USD per an extra hour. Tipping suggestions: If you feel like you had a good experience, your guide would appreciate a tip.