London: Westminster Abbey Priority Tour & Fast Track London Eye

Summary

Westminster Abbey stories, coffee in the Cellarium, London Eye skyline

You’ll start your day with coffee and pastries tucked inside Westminster’s medieval Cellarium before exploring the Abbey’s history with a local guide. Pause at royal tombs and coronation stories, then stroll past Big Ben for fast-track entry onto the London Eye (if selected). Expect small moments—quiet awe, laughter on the walk—that stick with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

We were already halfway through our coffee when I realized how odd it felt to be sitting under ancient stone arches in the Cellarium, just beneath Westminster Abbey. The smell of pastries mixed with something faintly earthy—maybe old books or damp stone? Our guide, Martin, had this way of talking that made even the crumbs on my plate seem like part of British history. He pointed out where Benedictine monks used to store their food here. I tried to imagine them bustling around while I sipped my flat white (plant milk available, but no vegan pastries—heads up if that matters to you). It was quiet except for some clinking spoons and a couple whispering in French behind us.

Walking through the cloister entrance with priority access felt a bit surreal—I’m not usually one for skipping lines, but I didn’t complain. Inside Westminster Abbey, it was cooler and smelled faintly of candle wax. Martin stopped us by the tombs and told stories about coronations—Charles III’s last year, and then William and Kate’s wedding (I’d forgotten how recent all that was). There was this hush as we paused by Queen Elizabeth II’s resting place. Someone behind me sniffled; maybe it was just dust but maybe not. The whole place seemed to breathe with old secrets.

If you pick the London Eye option, there’s a short walk past Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament—honestly, dodging selfie sticks is half the fun. Our rep handed us fast track tickets so we skipped a pretty epic queue (felt a tiny bit smug). Up in the capsule, London sprawled out below—grey rooftops broken by flashes of green parks and red buses crawling along. I tried to spot our hotel but got distracted by someone proposing two pods over—everyone cheered and it echoed weirdly up there. Still think about that view sometimes when I hear city noise at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Westminster Abbey tour and London Eye

• Enjoy coffee and pastries at Cellarium
• Enter Westminster Abbey via cloister
• Take guided tour of Westminster Abbey
• Learn about recent royal events
• Walk past Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
• Ride the London Eye with fast-track ticket

Top questions

Is priority access included for Westminster Abbey?

Yes, you enter via the cloister entrance with priority access as part of this tour.

Are refreshments provided during the tour?

Coffee and pastries are included at the 14th-century Cellarium before your Abbey visit.

How long does the Westminster Abbey tour last?

The guided tour lasts up to 90 minutes after refreshments.

Is there a fast track ticket for the London Eye?

Yes, if you select that option at booking, you get fast track entry to skip standard queues.

Are vegan or gluten-free pastries available?

No gluten-free or vegan pastries are available at The Cellarium; plant-based milk is offered though.

How far is it from Westminster Abbey to the London Eye?

The walk takes about 10-15 minutes passing iconic sights like Big Ben.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No, unfortunately this tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can infants join this tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap; prams or strollers are allowed in most areas.

What’s included

Your day includes coffee and pastries inside Westminster’s historic Cellarium, a guided priority-access tour of Westminster Abbey itself with stories from a local expert, plus (if you choose) fast track tickets for the London Eye after a short walk past Parliament—all group sizes kept small for comfort throughout.