A Visit to Westminster Abbey

Please join us for a visit to Westminster Abbey, located in the heart of London.  

What makes Westminster Abbey unique, in our view, is not its size.  Instead, the Abbey is packed with history in the form of tombs and memorials, along with other historical artifacts.  It is also the site of significant events in British history, from coronations to weddings to funerals.  

We toured the church and the adjoining monastic buildings, including the cloister.  We also toured a recently opened space, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries, which overlook the church’s nave from many feet above.  (Sorry.  No photos of the galleries because photos are prohibited.  If you want to see some cool stuff (funeral effigies and the second coronation chair), we recommend a visit.)

Let’s take a photographic tour together.  

The church itself is majestic and beautiful.  

 

The church is filled with all sorts of tombs and memorials, including the tombs of past kings and queens, such as Edward I and Elizabeth I, and tombs and memorials of important people from long ago and today.  Here are several.

 

 

 

 

Some of the older monuments are especially ornate or poignant.  

 

The architecture and decoration of the church is beautiful.  Here are some examples. 

 

 

A recent addition to the church is a stained glass window designed by British artist David Hockney.  The window is dedicated to Elizabeth II and depicts Yorkshire in springtime.  

The Abbey will soon commemorate Remembrance Day (November 11).  The tomb of the unknown soldier and the lawn outside are accordingly decorated with red poppies.

The Abbey will next year host the coronation of Charles III.  The coronation chair is kept at the Abbey and has been for coronation for mor than 700 years. 

Thanks for visiting Westminster Abbey with us.