Few buildings hold as much of Britain’s history as Westminster Abbey. For over a thousand years this magnificent Gothic church has been the setting for coronations, royal weddings, and state funerals, and it remains one of London’s most awe-inspiring places to visit. Standing beside the Houses of Parliament, it is a masterpiece of medieval architecture and a moving national shrine all in one.
A Thousand Years of History
A church has stood on this site since the 10th century, but the building you see today was largely begun in 1245 under King Henry III. Since William the Conqueror in 1066, almost every English and British monarch has been crowned here, and the Abbey continues to play its ceremonial role to this day. Walking through its soaring nave, you are quite literally treading the same stones as a thousand years of kings and queens.
What to See Inside
The Abbey is packed with treasures. Marvel at the breathtaking fan-vaulted ceiling of the Lady Chapel, see the ancient Coronation Chair, and pay your respects at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. The building is also a vast national mausoleum: more than 3,000 people are buried or commemorated here.
Poets’ Corner and Famous Graves
One of the Abbey’s most beloved spots is Poets’ Corner, where literary giants such as Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens, and Rudyard Kipling are honored. Elsewhere lie scientists and statesmen including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Stephen Hawking. It is an extraordinary gathering of the people who shaped British history, science, and culture.
The Cloisters and Gardens
Don’t miss the peaceful medieval cloisters and the College Garden, one of the oldest cultivated gardens in England. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries, set high in the medieval triforium, offer a fascinating museum and stunning views down into the Abbey itself.
Planning Your Visit
Westminster Abbey is a working church, so it can close to tourists for services, and it is busy — book a timed ticket online in advance to save queuing. Allow at least a couple of hours, and consider the included audio guide to bring the history to life. Photography is limited inside, so take a moment to simply look up and absorb the grandeur. The nearest stations are Westminster and St James’s Park.
More London guides: explore the full London Travel Guides series.
