An Exclusive After-Hours Tour of Westminster Abbey

We have received an invitation to take part in an exclusive musical and historical tour of Westminster Abbey on Saturday 26th May 2018 in the company of members of the Purcell Club.

The Purcell Club tours of the Abbey are very special and much in demand.  They take place only once a month, and currently there is a four year waiting list for tickets. Members of IWFS who have been lucky enough to experience one of these tours promise that they are a unique experience, not to be missed. 

 Formed in the 1920’s, The Purcell Club is a male voice group drawn from members of the Westminster Abbey Old Choristers Association who provide tours of Westminster Abbey to raise money for the Abbey itself and various carefully chosen charities.  The tours are designed to give guests a detailed introduction to the history and architecture of the abbey as they move around the building from one location to the next.  At various points there will be a pause for an appropriate piece of music sung by Purcell Club members which may date from 16^th to 21^st centuries.  The finale will be a short piece played on the Abbey’s magnificent organ. 

 Before the tour we have arranged an optional Champagne Afternoon Tea for members of the party.  This will start at 5.00 pm and will take place at a venue within the Abbey. The tour itself will start promptly at 6.45 pm and finish at 9.15 pm. 

Places on the tour are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The cost will be GBP 75.00 per person including the champagne tea or GBP 45.00 without.   

We hope that you will be able to join us.   

Stephanie Shepherd 
EAZ Events Co-ordinator

Note: members joining the pre-festival tour to Champagne are scheduled to return to London on Friday 25th May in good time for this event.  Those taking part in the Irish Delights tour are not due to return until 27th.

The Purcell Club has expressly asked us to make members aware that much of the Abbey floor and steps are uneven and that some areas may be dimly lit, there will be several places on the tour where flights of steps need to be negotiated.   While the main parts of the Abbey are accessible by wheelchair, several of the building's most notable historic features, which form a significant part of this special tour, cannot be viewed other than on foot. Anyone who is confined to a wheelchair should be aware that they would miss seeing the unique Cosmati Pavement, St Edward the Confessor's Shrine, and various chapels including that of Henry VII with its glorious fan-vaulted roof. One wheelchair is available but must be booked.