Dunfermline Abbey Nave

St Margaret’s Street, Dunfermline, Fife, KY12 7PE

01383 739 026
 

Access

Due to access restrictions in place as a precautionary measure while we undertake high level masonry inspections, there is currently no visitor access to the palace or refectoryFind out more about our conservation work.

The abbey nave and shop are open.

Carers tickets

In line with best practice in the visitor attractions industry, visitors with disabilities are treated on an equal basis with all other visitors and entry is charged at the appropriate admission category rate - Adult/Concession/Child. Proof of disability is not required.

We recognise that some disabled visitors may need help to visit our sites and we offer free entry for accompanying carers, these can be added when making your booking. Please note this is limited to two carers per transaction.

Parking

There is no visitor car park at the site. It is possible to drop visitors off near the entrance to the site.

There is on-street parking around 100m from the entrance to the abbey nave. There are no accessible bays.

Visiting the site 

Visitors should follow the signage to the nearest entrance, this is usually at the Gatehouse on the South Side of the Abbey, along a wooden walkway or at the South West Door of the Abbey. Staff are always on hand at the Nave to help with access. Visitors will be able to explore the medieval abbey nave freely, before moving through into the parish church – still an active church, it was built on the site of the east end of the earlier church. 

  • The abbey nave is reached through the graveyard, which has tarmac paths
  • The nave is entered through the southwest door. There are three steep stone steps. If you require level access to the nave, please contact us in advance to arrange this
  • Hand Sanitiser will be available at various points
  • Inside, the nave is on the level, with a floor of historic stone slabs. The nave is usually quiet and light levels can be low. The stained glass windows can look beautiful with light shining through them
  • After exploring the nave, visitors may enter the abbey church. Access is up 6 stone steps with a handrail. Level Access is available via a Ramp on the North East End of the Abbey Church
  • The inside of the abbey church is well-lit, with a mixture of natural and artificial lighting. It is mainly level. The flooring is a mixture of wooden boards with carpeted areas
  • Visitors then leave out the northeast door via a ramp which can accommodate wheelchairs if required

Toilets

There are no visitor toilets available on site. The nearest toilets, including adapted toilets and a Changing Places toilet, are in Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries, approximately 100m from the site. Visitors to the Library and Galleries must currently pre-book, so please contact them in advance to ensure that you will be allowed access. It is free to enter.

Dogs

Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and not left unattended at any time. Owners must pick up after their dogs.

Visitors' dogs are not permitted in roofed areas. 

Euan's Guide Reviews

Historic Scotland

Opening times

Dunfermline Palace and Refectory are currently closed, but the abbey nave and shop are open.

Please note, the abbey nave will close at noon on Wednesday 6 December and reopen on Friday 8 December.

1 Apr to 30 Sept: 
Mon to Sat, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Sun, 1pm to 5.30pm
Last entry 5pm

1 Oct to 31 Mar:
Daily except Sun and Mon, 10am to 4pm
Last entry 3.30pm

Site may close for lunch between 12.30pm and 1.30pm

Please refer to dunfermlineabbey.co.uk for information about services in the Abbey Church which may affect access to the tomb of Robert the Bruce and the Tiffany Window.

Facilities

Download our visitor app

Discover more on the go – the Historic Scotland app lets you find out about Scotland’s most iconic places wherever you are.

Plan your visit

More than 20 of our sites are now open. Please book your tickets in advance.

Become a member

Join Historic Scotland to visit our properties free of charge for a full year and support our work at the same time.

Hire a site for filming

Use one of our fantastic locations on your next shoot for an awe-inspiring backdrop to your work.

Learning visits

Our 300+ historic places serve as creative inspiration for all sorts of learning activities – and for learners of all ages.

Search our events

See the past brought to life by the imaginative year-round programme of events at our properties.