An iconic place for the royal dynasty of the British monarchy. Coronations are held here, as are the tombs of the rulers. Also in the Abbey in the “Poets’ Corner” are buried many famous writers and poets of the country – Charles Dickens, Samuel Johnson and others. The abbey church is active, holds services, and is popular with pilgrims. Tourists are attracted to the abbey’s medieval architecture.
UNESCO World Heritage Site No. 426 is St. Peter’s Cathedral Church in Westminster, or Westminster Abbey. The church on the site dates back to the 7th century and has been rebuilt and enlarged many times, until it was finally completed in 1745. This wonderful example of early English Gothic architecture has become a symbol of the British nation. All the monarchs of Britain since 1066 were crowned here and 18 of them are buried here. The Abbey walls have seen many royal weddings.
On May 8, 1945, when the end of World War II was officially declared, a short thanksgiving service was held in the cathedral every hour, which was attended by about 25,000 people, from the Lord Chancellor to the common Britons.
The abbey gets its name from the English West Minster, the “western church” in London.
What to see
The Abbey’s recognizable skyline with its two towers and numerous tracery arches, its beautiful stained glass windows and richly decorated interiors have always attracted tourists. As a result, the abbey has become one of the most visited attractions in the world. The church is interesting not only for its elaborate decor, but also as a pantheon of prominent Britons. In total there are about 3000 tombstones and, for example, the graves of great English literary figures can be found in one place – Poets’ Corner. The abbey is also interesting for music lovers: concerts of sacred and secular music are constantly held here. The cathedral is open to tourists every day (according to the schedule), except Sunday, when there are services for the faithful.
Buried in the abbey are Queens Elizabeth and Victoria, poets Geoffrey Chaucer and Robert Burns, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, politician Neville Chamberlain, Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, Martin Luther King the Younger, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna (the older sister of Nicholas II).
Westminster Abbey is not only a religious building, but a real treasury, whose riches include masterpieces of painting, monumental and applied art, wonderful fabrics, tapestries and church utensils of rare beauty. The Abbey is especially proud of its collection of ancient folios and unique archival documents, which made it an important research center.
Rules of visiting
Filming and photographing in the abbey is forbidden. You can take pictures in the garden or at a nearby college, and you are encouraged to buy postcards as a memento.
Phone use is not allowed in the church, but can be turned on nearby in the College Garden.
Animals, other than guide dogs, are not allowed on the grounds.
Westminster is an active church, so it is recommended to dress modestly, plus men should remove their hats before entering. High heels can be uncomfortable: the floor in the abbey is uneven, with many steps.
No luggage or large backpacks are allowed into the church; bulky and heavy items can be deposited in the luggage room at Charing Cross and Victoria stations near the abbey.
Practical information
The address is 20 Deans Yard, London. The nearest tube stations are Westminster and St James’s Park. Most London buses pass by the Abbey. Parking is not available in front of the building itself, but there is a pay parking garage nearby at College Garden Q-Park Westminster (from 11.5 GBP and up, book a space on the Q-Park website).