Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London
There’s over 1000 years of history within the walls of Westminster Abbey and as we all know, it’s been the site of coronations since 1066 and of many a royal wedding – 16 of them to be precise, to date. Over 3,000 well known souls have been laid to rest or commemorated here, with over 100 in Poets Corner, and several royal tombs. It’s a fascinating place, is Westminster Abbey; when you go in and start to look up and around you feel that breathless hush that takes all your words away for a moment or two and practically brings tears to your eyes because it’s so beautiful.
So when you’re in London seeing the sights, go and stroll around, unrushed, and see the Coronation Chair, the van vaulted ceiling in the Lady Chapel, the oldest door in Britain and wall paintings that date from the 13th century. Take a close look at the ancient stained glass windows and the intricately carved Misericords – how did they do that? Back then?
Step softly along the medieval cloisters and soak up that wonderful hallowed ambience, take a moment in the 13th century Chapter House, and one of the oldest parts of the abbey, the vaulted Pyx Chamber. If you go up to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries above the abbey floor, you get an entirely different perspective, a different view of things altogether. If it’s a dry day make time to wander around the abbey garden where monks once grew vegetables, fruit and herbs for culinary and medicinal use. It’s not widely assumed that Westminster Abbey has a garden, so it’s something of a hidden gem – a tranquil escape from the rush of the city.
One more thing – stop for a cup of tea and a piece of cake in the café, and get yourself a souvenir before you leave.
Open: Mon-Fri 9.30 am-3.30 pm
Weds as above and 4.30 pm-6.30 pm
Sat 9.00 am-3.00 pm May-Aug and 9.00 am-1.00 pm Sept-Apr
T: 020 7222 5152 All information correct at the time of writing