Attending a service
People from all over the world visit Westminster Abbey to join our services, which form part of a tradition of daily Christian worship dating back to the tenth century. Here we answer some of the questions you might have about them.
Our regular service times are:
Sunday
8.00am - Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
10.00am - Choral Matins
11.15am - Sung Eucharist
3.00pm - Choral Evensong
5.45pm - Organ Recital
6.30pm - Evening Service
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
7.30am - Morning Prayer
8.00am - Holy Communion
12.30pm - Holy Communion
5.00pm - Choral Evensong
Wednesday
7.30am - Morning Prayer
8.00am - Holy Communion
12.30pm - Holy Communion
5.00pm - Evening Prayer
Saturday
8.00am - Holy Communion
9.00am - Morning Prayer
3.00pm - Choral Evensong (September-April)
5.00pm - Choral Evensong (May-August)
Locations and details of services may change at short notice. Please check for the latest details closer to the time you’re visiting.
No, there’s no charge to attend a service at Westminster Abbey.
We take a collection at Sunday services, with the money going to nominated organisations and charities. You are welcome to contribute.
Everyone’s welcome at all our regular services. There’s no charge, and you don’t need to reserve a seat – but we suggest you arrive well before the start time.
For most of our special services, attendance is by invitation only. You can apply for free tickets to some special services, check our special services listings for details.
You’ll also need tickets for some of our popular Christmas services. Free tickets are usually available from mid-November.
For most services, you’ll use the Great West Door, which is on The Sanctuary. If you’re not sure where to enter, please ask a member of staff.
We don’t have a specific dress code, but for services we ask you to dress in a respectful way and that gentlemen remove hats. Also, please bear in mind that it can be quite cold inside the Abbey during the winter.
We do not charge to visit simply for prayer. Please enter through the Great West Door entrance – you can ask an Abbey Marshal on the gate for directions.
All visitors are welcome to light candles in front of the icons in the Nave of the Abbey.
Shrine prayers are said regularly in the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor, and all visitors are welcome.
Many people come to Westminster Abbey seeking God’s forgiveness, healing and wholeness, as part of their journey as followers of Jesus Christ. We offer the Sacraments of Reconciliation (confession) and the Anointing of the Sick (with laying-on of hands) to anyone who wants to receive them.
When you arrive, tell one of our marshals you’d like to speak to the duty chaplain, and they’ll show you the way.
We welcome serving clergy free of charge during visiting hours. Please come to the North Door entrance and speak to one of our marshals.
Members of the clergy from any denomination in the UK can also apply for a church pass. This lets up to four members of your congregation visit the Abbey free of charge during visiting hours. You can use passes up to six times a year. Please note: church passes are available only to UK parishes and chaplaincies.
For more information about clergy visits, please contact:
Tiggy Sawbridge, Canons’ PA
020 7654 4805
tiggy.sawbridge@westminster-abbey.org
The Abbey has a distinctive role within the Church of England. It is neither a cathedral nor a parish church, and it stands outside the normal jurisdiction of bishops and archbishops. It is instead a ‘Royal Peculiar’ – the status granted to it in 1560 by Elizabeth I, under which the Dean and Chapter are directly answerable to the Sovereign.
