It was a thrill to visit Westminster Abbey, which is over 750 years old. We visited in the early afternoon on a weekday in July and there was only a two-minute line-up! Like Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey is an extremely popular sight to see in the UK. The abbey is currently undergoing major repair and construction work, including repairs to its nave ceiling. They are also adding The King Charles III Sacristy, a £13 million new visitor entrance and facility on the north side. It is scheduled to be completed in late 2026. As a result, the front of the abbey doesn’t look as picturesque and there are a few closed off areas inside where visitors are not permitted.
Westminster Abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the location of King Charles III’s coronation; Prince William and Princess Catherine’s marriage; and Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillips’s marriage. Its majesty cannot be overstated. The twin western towers reach a height of 225 feet.
There are many noteworthy features to see at Westminster Abbey. For example, Henry VII’s Lady Chapel features an intricate stone fan-vaulted ceiling and royal tombs including that of Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Mary I! Although Queen Elizabeth I and her half sister had a tumultuous relationship, Queen Elizabeth I did arrange for Queen Mary I to be buried underneath her own vault.
The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is a tribute to an unidentified World War I British soldier buried with French battlefield soil. The tomb represents all service personnel who were killed in war and who have no known grave.
The Coronation Chair is a 14th-century wooden chair used for crowning British monarchs, including most recently King Charles III.
Although there was virtually no line-up outside, the abbey itself was fairly packed with visitors when we were there. You have to follow a set path through the abbey, but it did get quite crowded when we approached the smaller rooms of the abbey.
The Scientists’ Corner features a monument to Sir Isaac Newton. This is also where Stephen Hawking is buried.
Having an Honours B.A. in English, I was interested in visiting the Poets’ Corner where Charles Dicken is buried. Other distinguished writers buried there include Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Geoffrey Chaucer, Rudyard Kipling and Thomas Hardy (although Hardy’s heart is buried inside the grave of his first wife in Dorset).
Westminster Abbey is abundantly rich in history and a must-see when visiting London!
Admission is Adult £27.13; Child (6-17) £12.25; Senior (65+) £24.50; Student £24.50. Purchase tickets online.
Westminster Abbey, 20 Dean’s Yard, London, UK SW1P 3PA
