Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral is beautiful and elaborately decorated complete with a 273 foot Bell Tower in the heart of central London
Westminster Cathedral is a young building by London standards, but possesses spectacular architecture and beauty. The seat of the Archbishop of Westminster, it is the largest Catholic church in both England and Wales.
Construction on Westminster Cathedral began in 1895 on land acquired by the Catholic Church in 1884. The site was owned by Westminster Abbey back in the 17th Century and was subsequently sold and used for a variety of things including a prison until being purchased by the Catholic Church.
Westminster Cathedral does not conform to the typical late-Victorian architecture popular at the time of it's construction, but is designed in the style of a Byzantine basilica constructed of reddish brick. The interior is richly and painstakingly decorated with intricate tile mosaics and over 125 different types of marble.
A very popular feature is the Tower Viewing Gallery where you can enjoy some fabulous views of London from 200 feet above the streets and view some beautiful illustrations showing the design of the Cathedral.
Westminster Cathedral is open to the public daily. There is only an admission charge to go up into the Tower Viewing Gallery which is open daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm and until 6pm on weekends.
There are many other attractions within easy walking distance of the Westminster Cathedral. Some of these include the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Horse Guards Building and Parade, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Cathedral, Saint James's Park, and Hyde Park. These attractions can be nicely combined into a memorable one or two day walking tour.
For more information about this beautiful London cathedral visit their official website linked above.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: No, except for the Tower Viewing Gallery.Westminster Cathedral Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Friday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM
- Sunday: 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Address: Victoria St, London SW1P 1LT, UK
Phone: 020 7798 9055
Official Website: Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral Reviews
Rated out of 5
I was genuinely impressed by the sheer beauty of Westminster Cathedral. The striking Byzantine architecture, the green domes, and the richly decorated interior mosaics make it unlike any other cathedral in London. It’s not just a place of worship but a true masterpiece of design and atmosphere. Definitely a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience something unique and deeply inspiring in the heart of the city
Dr Afshin - 3 months ago
Simply beautiful. Even more beautiful because we were there on Sunday to celebrate mass with the local congregation. After mass, we could also explore the surroundings and the quiet prayer areas located at every corner of the church.
If you are a practising Catholic on a holiday in London, add Westminster Cathedral in your itinerary. You'll have a wonderful experience.
Claire Chew - 2 months ago
Had an excellent visit today into one of England's most majestic bits of history. The queue went down quickly and the staff were very helpful. A little pricey at £31 but I suppose the upkeep of a building that is over a thousand years old must be enormous. Overall we had a brilliant day.
Lawrence Carter - a month ago
Gorgeous Catholic cathedral open to all, should be featured more on the tourist trail. Well worth a visit, free to enter, no tickets or timed entry required but they are in desperate need of donations. I imagine this would be busier around times of religious festivals and services.
Natalie Lewis - 2 weeks ago
We attended Sunday Mass at Westminster Cathedral and it was a truly beautiful experience. The liturgy was reverent, the music was uplifting, and the setting itself is breathtaking. The cathedral’s architecture and atmosphere make it a remarkable place of worship and reflection. Highly recommend visiting—especially if you can attend a Mass.
David Stejkowski - 3 months ago
Directions
| Tube Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Circle, District and Victoria Line | Victoria Station | 4 MInutes |
How to get to Westminster Cathedral by Tube
From Victoria Station exit onto Victoria St. and walk to your right (east) for about 4 minutes. Watch for the square in front of Westminster Cathedral on your right.
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Accommodations near Westminster Cathedral :
Photo Gallery
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Exterior of Westminster Cathedral -
Beautiful mosaic artwork inside Westminster Cathedral -
Photo Credit: Matt From London - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Donnchadh H - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Donnchadh H - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Txemai Argazki - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Txemai Argazki - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: amandabhslater - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Donnchadh H - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: a.l.w - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Donnchadh H - cc license via Flickr
