Poets' Corner Monument
Area in Westminster Abbey honoring notable writers
The section of Westminster Abbey where writers and poets are buried or commemorated; Poets' Corner draws literary pilgrims to memorials, tombs and the Abbey's long literary history.
Poets' Corner at a Glance#
Address: Westminster Abbey, Dean’s Yard, Westminster, London (Poets’ Corner is inside the Abbey)
Website: https://www.westminster-abbey.org
Hours: Mon-Sat (general visiting hours) - hours vary and are subject to services (check the Abbey website before visiting)
Admission: Admission to Westminster Abbey (includes Poets’ Corner) - see Westminster Abbey for current ticket price; free for worshippers
About Poets' Corner#
Poets’ Corner is the informal name for the south transept area of Westminster Abbey in London where many British and Irish writers, poets and dramatists are buried or commemorated. The area contains graves, tombs and wall memorials spanning several centuries.
The space functions both as a place of burial and as a national memorial area; some commemorations are cenotaphs rather than interments. The combination of historic tombs and later memorials has made it a focal point for literary pilgrimage.
Memorials and burials here cover a wide chronological range from medieval figures to modern authors and reflect the Abbey’s role in national ceremonial and cultural history. The arrangement has evolved over centuries as successive commemorations were added.
Poets’ Corner is inside Westminster Abbey in central London, adjacent to the Abbey’s nave and within walking distance of the Houses of Parliament and other central landmarks.
- Function: Poets’ Corner is a designated area within Westminster Abbey containing many graves and memorials to British and Irish writers, poets and dramatists dating from the medieval period to the present.
- Notable names: The location includes both actual burials and wall memorials; Geoffrey Chaucer is one of the earliest literary figures associated with the area.
How to Get to Poets' Corner#
Poets’ Corner is inside Westminster Abbey in central London. The nearest Underground is Westminster station (Jubilee, District and Circle lines); from the station it’s a 5-10 minute walk to the Abbey and Poets’ Corner. St James’s Park (District/Circle) is another nearby stop within a similar walking distance.
Tips for Visiting Poets' Corner#
- If you want fewer people around Poets' Corner, either arrive right at Westminster Abbey's opening or attend an Evensong service (public and free) - services let you experience the memorials without the usual daytime tourist crowds.
- Allow time to linger in the south transept and choir area: visitors often miss Chaucer's tomb and the many floor slabs and wall memorials scattered through the ambulatory and nave, which tell the full story of Britain's literary memorials.
- Book Abbey entry tickets in advance or check timed-entry availability; a timed ticket reduces queuing and gives you a predictable window to visit Poets' Corner within a broader Abbey visit.
Best Time to Visit Poets' Corner#
Best visited in spring or autumn and timed for early morning/late-afternoon entry to avoid crowds inside the Abbey.
Weather & Climate near Poets' Corner#
Poets' Corner's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (632 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 63 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
| February | Acceptable | 2° - 8° | 2° | 40 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.2 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.8h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 4° | 49 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.3 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 5° - 14° | 7° | 45 mm | overcast | 81% | 4.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Good | 8° - 18° | 13° | 48 mm | overcast | 79% | 3.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 54 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.3h |
| July | Very Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 42 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 15.9h |
| August | Very Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 50 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.4h |
| September | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 58 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 8° - 15° | 11° | 61 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Acceptable | 5° - 11° | 5° | 62 mm | overcast | 92% | 3.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 9° | 3° | 60 mm | overcast | 94% | 3.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |