koryandleslie

We are going on a Verger guided tour of Westminster Abby. There is also a Parliament tour we considering on another day. Is that the same thing? At the same place?

flanneruk

No.

The Abbey is (or rather was) an abbey. Parliament is a parliament.

janisj

No - Westminster Abbey and Parliament are two entirely different places/institutions. Though they are across the street from each other.

Vergers are lay members of the Abbey staff and lead wonderful tours.

Maybe you are confused because Parliament is often called the Palace of Westminster. Centuries ago there was a Palace where Parliament is now --but the current parliament bldgs were built in the 19th century.

Alec

Verger's tour is through Westminster Abbey, a church. Parliament tour is through the parliament buildings, across the road from the Abbey on the side of the River Thames, where the Commons and Lords meet. So they are completely different.

koryandleslie

Thanks! It looks like they are at the same place and I was just making sure they weren't the same tour.

Can y'all also help me figure out if I need an Oyster card or should I start a new thread?

janisj

"<i>Can y'all also help me figure out if I need an Oyster card or should I start a new thread?</i>"

Probably a new thread --since that topic will go off in a whole different direction. But if you do a search you will find hundreds of threads that answer just about every conceivable question about Oysters/paper travelcards/London Transport.

chapla

Westminster Abbey is a zoo.Our guide told us that nowadays it is out of control or rather there's no control! People wander around by themselves-some w/headsets in all directions.We were there in April and I was shocked!Hard to stay w/group,hear the guide.Very sad compared to the calm in Notre Dame Paris.

nytraveler

Um, Westminster Abbey is an ancient church. The houses of Parliament are the seat of British government. Zero connecton.

this is like asking if Washington National Cathedral and the Capitol building are the same. Just because they are near one another doesn't mean there is any relationship.

koryandleslie

Ok people, I understand now they are different. By looking on the map they looked very similar. No need to be rude. I didn't know for sure, so I asked. Didn't realize that was a sin.........always been told if you didn't know something, ask.

CaliNurse

Bravo for your reply, Koryandleslie.

There are a rare few on Fodors who get their rocks off being sarcastic and nasty. it's tgheir pathetic little thrill for the day. Read their snooty sarcastic responses, think "get a life" , imagine them sitting, lonely, on a computer forum in search of a thread to which they can give an ugly answer to which only they will respond with chuckles, and go on asking your perfectly reasonable questions.

Have a wonderful time in London, the greatest city in the world!!!

ElendilPickle

The verger's tour is well worth the time and the extra cost. I hope you enjoy it.

Lee Ann

nytraveler

Sorry - I was always taught if you didn't know something to go look it up. And to ask only if you couldn't find the answer yourself. Perhaps parents had a different point of view.

(But I know that juniors with the better chance for promotion are not the ones that come in with a problem and ask what do I do. They are the ones that come in with a problem - and several alternate solutions with the pros and cons of each.)

Hooameye

Westminster Abbey:
http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/...0_2f9a1d17.jpg

Houses of Parliament:
http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/fe...-284395981.jpg

Kate

By the way, if you have time I would seriously recommend a parliament tour, it's a truly spectacular and unique building.

>>Westminster Abbey is a zoo.Our guide told us that nowadays it is out of control or rather there's no control! People wander around by themselves-some w/headsets in all directions.We were there in April and I was shocked!Hard to stay w/group,hear the guide.Very sad compared to the calm in Notre Dame Paris.<<

Chapla, you do realise you were there the month of the Royal wedding, do you? Funnily enough, the Abbey attracted rather a lot of extra visitors.

joannay

koryandleslie, I find the atmosphere considerably less rude over on Frommer's forums. Unfortunately the conversation is also less lively lately so maybe the sad fact is we have to put up with those few lacking a life for an otherwise good conversation. Also unfortunately, the person with whom you have reason to object is over there too. It's a dilemma.

joannay

A suggestion, to avoid the crowds at Westminster Abbey go for an evensong service. Visitors not attending the service aren't allowed in and the organ and choir music is beautiful, an unforgettable experience and, I believe, still free:

http://www.westminster-abbey.org/music/choral-services

ElendilPickle

Evensong sounds lovely, but you are not allowed to tour the abbey afterwards, correct?

Lee Ann

joannay

Correct, although you do see a bit coming and going. However, to sit in the choir area or close to it for a service and hear the music surrounding you, well, there's just nothing like it. So, so much better than wandering around looking at stones which you can do another time. I make it a practice to go to evensong services as often as I can, wherever I can, in England every year.

janisj

No - you can't 'tour' the Abbey before or after Evensong. The best is if you get lucky and get to sit in the Quire. Then you can see that bit of the Abbey and the choir members.

Otherwise you'll be beyond the screen and really can't see much.

janisj

Was posting the same time as joanay