Things to Do Near Westminster Abbey
Updated October 27, 2026
Westminster Abbey sits in the middle of London's densest square kilometre of sights. Big Ben is a 5-minute walk away. The Houses of Parliament are across the road. St James's Park and Buckingham Palace are 10 to 20 minutes west, and the London Eye is 15 minutes away over Westminster Bridge. That makes the Abbey easy to build a half day around. The list below is ranked by how well each sight pairs with an Abbey visit, with the walking time from the Abbey. A simple plan: the Abbey at its 9:30am opening, the Changing of the Guard at 11am on a ceremony day, lunch in St James's Park, then Parliament Square and the river in the afternoon.
- #1
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
Across the road: 5 minutes' walk from the Abbey
Big Ben is the bell in the Elizabeth Tower, at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. It is 311 m from the Abbey, about a 5-minute walk across Parliament Square. You can see it from outside at any time. Going inside is a separate booking: UK Parliament sells its own tours of the Palace and of the Elizabeth Tower. Parliament's site lists the tower tour at £55 for adults, minimum age 11, with more than 300 steps. No tour sold on this site goes up the tower. The Parliament and Abbey guided tour goes inside Westminster Hall and both chambers.
- #2
St Margaret's Church
The parish church in the Abbey's shadow, about 1 minute away
St Margaret's Church stands on the lawn between the Abbey and Parliament Square, about 80 m from the Abbey. It is part of Westminster Abbey and has its own opening hours; on 27 October 2026 the Abbey listed it as open 11am to 3:30pm. Look in on your way in or out of the Abbey. More in our guide to St Margaret's Church.
- #3
The Changing of the Guard
11am ceremonies at Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards
Two ceremonies are within walking distance. At Buckingham Palace, about 1.1 km west of the Abbey, the King's Guard changes at 11am on set days. The Household Division publishes the dates on its calendar, and ceremonies can change at short notice. At Horse Guards on Whitehall, about 600 m north, the Household Cavalry Museum lists the King's Life Guard ceremony on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11am, and a daily 4 O'Clock Inspection. A 9:30am Abbey start leaves no time for the Palace ceremony, so do the Abbey after it, or pick the 4pm inspection.
- #4
St James's Park
The royal park between the Abbey and the Palace, about 8 minutes away
St James's Park starts about 600 m north-west of the Abbey, past Storey's Gate. It is the walk to Buckingham Palace, and the best free place nearby to sit down with lunch. The Abbey does not allow outside food inside, apart from sealed, medical or family needs, so the park is where to eat a sandwich. It is open to all and free.
- #5
The London Eye
Across Westminster Bridge, about 15 minutes on foot
The London Eye is on the South Bank, opposite the Houses of Parliament. TfL's journey planner puts the walk at about 920 m and 15 minutes, over Westminster Bridge. It is a paid attraction, booked on its own site. Pair it with the Abbey for the view back over the building you just toured. For the route the other way, see Big Ben and the London Eye to Westminster Abbey.
- #6
Choral Evensong at the Abbey
Free, after the Abbey closes to sightseers
Sightseeing ends in the afternoon, but the Abbey stays open for worship. The usual pattern is Evensong at 5pm on weekdays and 3pm on Sunday, free and unticketed, through the Great West Door. It is the only way to see the Abbey on a Sunday. Times change at short notice, so check the Abbey's service listing for your day. See Evensong at Westminster Abbey.
- #7
Westminster Cathedral
A free Catholic cathedral, about 15 minutes up Victoria Street
Not the Abbey, despite the name. Westminster Cathedral is the Catholic cathedral off Victoria Street, finished in 1903, with marble, mosaics and a bell tower with a lift to a viewing gallery. Entry is free and it is open every day, 7:30am to 7pm. The walk from the Abbey is about 1.1 km. See Westminster Abbey vs Westminster Cathedral.
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#8All of it with a guide: the Abbey, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace tour
$44One walking tour of Westminster, from $44
4.8 4,034 reviews
If you would rather not plan the route, this tour covers it with a Blue Badge guide on a 3.2 km walk. The 4-hour option includes a guided tour inside the Abbey with skip-the-line tickets. The 3-hour option sees the Abbey from outside and adds free entry to a service. Big Ben and Buckingham Palace are seen from outside on both. Rated 4.8 from 4,034 reviews of this tour on GetYourGuide. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do near Westminster Abbey?
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are across the road. Within 15 minutes' walk are St James's Park, the Changing of the Guard, the London Eye, the Churchill War Rooms and free Evensong at the Abbey itself.
How far is Big Ben from Westminster Abbey?
About 311 m, a 5-minute walk across Parliament Square, according to TfL's journey planner.
Can you go inside Big Ben?
Only on a tour sold by UK Parliament. Its site lists the Elizabeth Tower tour at £55 for adults, minimum age 11, with more than 300 steps. No tour sold on this site goes up the tower.
What can I do near Westminster Abbey on a Sunday?
The Abbey is open for worship only on Sundays, so go to a service or the 3pm Evensong. Westminster Cathedral is open and free, and St James's Park and the riverside are open all day.
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