CAPH - you're right. I didn't check the details, but in case anyone is interested, here's the link for the specific tours by London Walks that participate in the 2-for-1:
http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/london-walks

CAPH52 - I'm the same culprit. I remember well your MN trip. My SIL lived in London for 6 yrs, so we got to know the city fairly well. We're not as expert as some people on this board, but will be glad to help if I can.

The last couple times I visited Westminster Abbey, St. Edward's chapel was not open to the general public. However, we were able to go up and see it while taking a Verger's tour. Not sure if that still applies now or if you would also have access with the London Walks tour.

Unfortunately, yk, none of those are ones at the top of our list. But I'm glad you posted the link.

flygirl, I'm glad to hear all the praise I can for London Walks. As I said, we're hoping to do several. Hope you're able to catch the Westminster Abbey one next time!

I thought so, dfr! Nice to "run into" you again! And thanks very much for the offer of help.

Thanks for the heads up on St. Edward's chapel, chepar!

Two points:

Chepar is correct - if you have any interest in seeing Edward the Confessor's chapel (and it would be a "must" on my list) you have to take the Vergers tour

and I don't think I quite get ron's comment "<i>. . . seems to be considerable cachet attached to taking a "Vergers" tour. Somehow sounds more impressive than a tour led by a volunteer guide.</i>" London Walks guides are not "volunteers" - they are most definitely paid guides.

Nothing wrong w/ either option - but you need to know the full skinny . . . . .

FWIW, I'd love to take the Inns of Court walk with London Walks. It never worked out with my itinerary. I find the Inns of Court and Temple area of London very fascinating (not to mention plenty of older buildings such as the Temple church built by the Knights Templar and Middle Temple Hall dating back to Elizabethan times). However, I'm not sure how much ground that tour covers.

Yk,

Thanks for posting that link. I plan on taking the Inns of Court Walk next Monday and its nice to know that I can save a few pounds with a voucher.

Laura

Laura - it'd be great if you could post a report of the walk afterwards!

Yk,
Absolutely. I think that particular walk is really hard to find much about -- maybe that's why London Walks is promoting with the 2-4-1.

Thanks, Janis. You're right, we do need all available info to make a good decision!

I didn't mean to be dismissive of the walks that are offered on the 2-for-one. I read something somewhere (maybe on London Walks web site, maybe in a guide book or trip report) about the Inns of Court and Temple area. And it did sound very interesting. In fact, all of their walks sound great!

To help you get my point, Janis, I was talking about the cachet that the ABBEY guides get by the Abbey calling them vergers rather than the more mundane, but equally accurate, volunteer guides.

I am well aware that the London Walks guides are independent contractors, many of whom earn a good living leading under the London Walks umbrella.

"<i>calling them vergers rather than the more mundane, but equally accurate, volunteer guides</i>"

Well - if that's how you meant it - even more wrong. The Vergers are not simply "tour guides". They are actually lay members of the Abbey and are responsible for maintaining the interiors, serve as ushers, and participlate in services - similar to a sexton.

We did the verger's tour because we wanted to see St. Edward's Chapel and its tombs, which you can't see on your own.

The London Walks tour which was available that day didn't actually go into the Abbey, so that wasn't a good option.

Lee Ann

Janis, I never used the adjective "simply". I am well aware of what the traditional functions of a verger are in the Anglican Communion.

I don't think we are disagreeing very much other than you seem to be taking offence at my characterization of this particular function that vergers undertake in the Abbey.

ron: I guess I just don't get your characterization of vergers and implying it is because of some sort of snob appeal if Fodorites recommend the Abbey's tours over London Walks. I don't understand your "issue" at all.

"<i>Amongst Fodorites, there seems to be considerable <blue>cachet</blue> attached to taking a "Vergers" tour. Somehow <blue>sounds more impressive</blue> than a tour led by a volunteer guide.</i>" You said it - I didn't.

It is a fact - the Verger tour is more comprehensive and gets into places that London Walks (and everyone else) are not admitted. There is nothing wrong w/ LW - I recommend them all the time. But for Westminster Abbey <u>specifically</u> - the Abbey's own tour is better.

We will be in London next week and would like to tour the Abbey, something I've never done before.

Do you all think that we will be able to secure a place on the Verger's tour if we phone a day or two ahead?

Is there no way to book by e-mail?

How long to allow for the tour?

Thank you!

Never mind the last bit; I see that the verger's tour lasts 90 minutes.

Shall we allow more time to visit other areas of the Abbey (College Garden, etc)

When I was there last May, I didn't book a tour ahead of time, I just showed up before they opened and waited in line to get in. I'm not suggesting not calling, but if you may be able to get into a tour without making a reservation. Definitely get there before they open the doors, it's worth the wait and it's nice to have fewer people inside. By the time the tour finished, there were tons of people inside instead of the 2 dozen or so total when it opened. Sign up with a tour, and then you should have a little bit of time before it actually starts to look around on your own.

The tour was great and absolutely worth it. It's so nice to have someone tell you the history and significance of areas instead of just looking or reading a small guide book.

ekscrunchy - I'm very jealous that you'll be there next week. Have fun

Thanks, Iowa!

I have enlisted my sister to make the booking by phone since she is in London for a couple of months. But she is reporting continual busy signals. I told her to keep trying! But if she does not get through,I will take your advice and just show up before 9:30--do you think this is early enough?

It was for me a year ago. I probably got there around 30-45 minutes early and was at the very front of the line.