Pam

Would you recommend taking one of the Verger tours of the abbey? I have been there once before, but with a large tour group so I've not experienced a verger's tour. Is it necessary to book these tours in advance?

janis

No - you don't need to book them in advance. There is a sign near the from=nt that lists the time for the next tour. They are quite good. <BR> <BR>But something else you might want to consider - especially if you've been there before. Each Wed. evening (assuming there is no special service) the Abbey is open from 6-7:30 PM. This is the only time you are allowed to take photographs inside the Abbey. There are seldom more than 50 to 100 people there so it is almost like a private tour. The Abbey closes at 5PM for evensong and then at 6PM you can enter by the door nearest St Margarets

Pat

We took a verger tour in June and it was well worth it. Our guide Benjamin was excellent. There were about 25 people on the tour. Photos are not normally allowed in the abbey, but Benjamin let our children sit in the monarch's chair in the choir area and then had us take a photo of them. The kids thought it was pretty neat.

Joanne

We took a verger's tour of the abbey in July and enjoyed it thoroughly. Well worth the modest price. <BR> <BR>I believe that the abbey no longer permits photography on Wednesday evenings.

Steve Mueller

<BR>Another vote for the Verger's tour. <BR> <BR>We've been to Westminster Abbey twice. On our second visit, we took the tour and learned far more than we did on our first tour. For example, I didn't realize that Mary I was buried beneath Elizabeth I, and that the only tomb in the Abbey that no one was allowed to walk over was the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Our tour guide was actually very entertaining, sometimes even comical.

Darrel

We took the verger tour shortly before Princess Di's death. The tour was excellent and I would highly recommend it. The vergers are very knowledgeable and it was well worth the cost. <BR> <BR>As a postscript, a few days later Princess Di was killed. While watching the funeral on Irish television we noted that "our" verger was the one who escorted her brother to the pulpit for his eulogy. It was a strange feeling.

Muriel

Yes, absolutely do the verger tour. Not only is it informative and entertaining, but you will also be allowed into parts of the Abbey that are 'off-limits' to regular guides. A good idea is to research the Abbey on the internet before your visit.There is so much history associated with it, that knowing something about it before you visit will enhance your enjoyment. <BR>Muriel

Mark

Pam, <BR> <BR>Like everyone else says, go with the vergers tour! <BR> <BR>And to Pat, we had Benjamin as our guide too on our visit last August! A delightful guy, who was full of energy and had a contagious smile! Although he did get a bit riled up when a tourist (not in our group) was shooting some video footage! Benjamin went racing after the fellow so fast it scared the poor videographer silly! We had a great laugh though. <BR> <BR>