Many of the most significant religious buildings in the country is Westminster Abbey, a massive Gothic church located in Westminster, England. Although the current construction of this magnificent cathedral is relatively contemporary, the church’s roots stretch back to 1066 A.D. The majority of people are undoubtedly aware of this monument because it served as the site of three main occasions: Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, Princess Diana’s burial, and Prince William and Kate Middleton’s nuptials.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see location in London. With close links to both the Royal family and the British government, Westminster Abbey is a functioning church. The structure showcases the best of medieval perpendicular gothic design.
When I was a teenager, I made my first trip to Westminster Abbey. Even though I can still remember my trip, I was eager to return to the Abbey now that I know a little bit more about British history.
There are many sights to see at Westminster Abbey, so I’ve put together this guide to assist you in making travel plans. Discover more about Abbey’s history, and the must-see attractions, and get some helpful advice to make the most of your visit.
The Westminster Abbey Visitor’s Guide
My journey to London’s Westminster Abbey was one of its highlights. Even though it was my 2nd visit to this ancient place, I was still overwhelmed by the sheer number of must-see sites there. There are more than 3,000 graves! Not just that. You shouldn’t miss the opportunity to see historical relics and captivating architecture. It has more beauty than your expectations. I made this guide to help you prioritize the attractions you need to see during your visit because I know that you can’t see everything in one trip.
Entrance (North Transept)
The moment you enter the room, the history begins. Before your audio tour starts, you will observe several significant historical individuals from Britain. It demonstrates that Abbey and the government have a close relationship.
Viscount Patterson, Robert Peel, Benjamin Disraeli, and William Gladstone are among the prominent prime ministers from the 18th and 19th centuries who are commemorated by larger-than-life sculptures (who are buried nearby). Ironically, because Disraeli and Gladstone were sworn enemies, their homages are placed so near together.
Prime Minister William Pitt is honored by the area’s largest memorial. Alongside his son William Pitt the Younger, he is buried close by. Near the west door, there is a plaque honoring the younger.
You will also note that there is one panel of modern stained-glass windows if you take a moment to study the artwork here. The window honors the Queen and features a Yorkshire setting with hawthorn blossoms. It was displayed in 2018 and was created by David Hockney.
North Choir Aisle
The audio tour begins here, although it doesn’t tell what to view along this aisle. The monuments and plaques were interesting to view. We discovered a few intriguing ones:
- Charles Darwin: Given that he developed the theory of evolution, it is somewhat amusing that Darwin is interred in a church, but it is appropriate that he is close to other scientists. But at the other side of the rope, in the Nave, stand Isaac Newton and others.
- William Wilberforce: He promoted the idea of abolishing slavery as a member of Parliament and a close friend of William Pitt. Years before slavery was made illegal in the US, the Abolition Bill was passed into law in 1807.
- Musicians: Since the Abbey is heavily reliant on music, it is only right that there is a place dedicated to honoring various musicians and composers, such as Henry Purcell, Ralph Vaughan Williams, John Robinson, and William Sterndale Bennett.
Nave
The primary public area of the abbey is the nave. If you attended a service, you would probably sit at this location. Spend some time in the nave admiring the chandeliers and medieval ceilings.
You will come across memorials to several significant persons as you stroll the area, including:
- The bimetallic strip thermometer, John Harrison’s most well-known invention, is commemorated on a plaque with a meridian line etched with its longitude of 0 degrees, 7 minutes, and 35 seconds West in two metals.
- One of the most well-known British heroes of the late 19th-century Victorian era, David Livingstone was a Scottish physician, Congregationalist, and African explorer. He is buried here.
- A monument stone honoring the anti-apartheid activist, political figure, and current president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, is carved with the words “Forgiveness Reconciliation.”
Scientists’ Corner is another section of The Nave. Just before we reach the Quire, on the left side of the nave, lies Sir Isaac Newton’s magnificent and towering monument. Nearby memorials honor several other famous scientists. Stephen Hawking, who died recently in 2018, is the newest member of “Scientists’ Corner.” His tombstone features a depiction of a black hole and the words “Here lays what was mortal of Stephen Hawking.” The same message is expressed in Latin on Newton’s grave; here is its English translation.
Tomb Of The Unknown Warrior
The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is located behind the nave. On Armistice Day in 1920, a British soldier’s grave was brought from France and buried there in Westminster Abbey. Poppies, which stand for both remembering and the desire for a positive future, have been strategically placed to frame the grave. This one is the only grave in the Abbey that is never walked on.
Quire
The monks used to pray every day in the Quire region. It is now utilized by clergy and the Westminster Choir. One of the best choirs in the world, the Westminster Cathedral Choir was established in 1901.
The Quire stalls that exist today were put in place in 1848. When the Monarch, clergy, Abbey officers, and High Commissioners for the Commonwealth nations attend services, they are given stalls that are not used by the Choir. They all have nameplates.
North Ambulatory Chapels
We had trouble identifying the people buried in some of the ornate tombs with detailed sculptures found in these chapels. When we discovered names, we were unable to identify them. This section can be rapidly read if you’re short on time.
Poets’ Corner
The sheer number of individuals honored in Poets’ Corner as memorials shocked me. The first individual buried in this area of the Abbey was Geoffrey Chaucer. Then Poets’ Corner was created because Edmond Spencer wished to be buried close to Chaucer.
William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Robert Browning, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Lord Bryon, Lewis Carroll, Thomas Hardy, CS Lewis, Rudyard Kipling, and Jane Austen are a few of the other illustrious authors honored at Poets’ Corner. Not every one of these heroes is buried in Westminster Abbey; for example, Jane Austen is laid in Winchester Cathedral. There was a memorial for Laurence Olivier, the actor, as well as one for the war poets in addition to the plaques for the eminent authors.
Read More: Travel Guide to Westminster Abbey - Everything You Need to Know
There are many most famous churches in the world like Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Westminster Abbey, London England, Notre Dame de Paris of Paris, and Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, and many more where you can feel some peace in your busy life.
Churches are not only the worship place for Christian but anyone can feel the purity of that place.https://www.tripexel.com/famous-churches-in-the-world/
On February 6, 1952, after a long illness, King George VI of Great Britain and Northern Ireland dies in his sleep at the royal estate at Sandringham.
Princess Elizabeth, the oldest of the king’s two daughters and next in line to succeed him, was in Kenya at the time of her father’s death; she was crowned Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953, at age 27.King George VI, the second son of King George V, ascended to the throne in 1936 after his older brother, King Edward VIII, voluntarily abdicated to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.
During World War II, George worked to rally the spirits of the British people by touring war zones, making a series of morale-boosting radio broadcasts (for which he overcame a speech impediment) and shunning the safety of the countryside to remain with his wife in bomb-damaged Buckingham Palace.
The king’s health deteriorated in 1949, but he continued to perform state duties until his death in 1952.Queen Elizabeth, born on April 21, 1926, and known to her family as Lilibet, was groomed as a girl to succeed her father.
She married a distant cousin, Philip Mountbatten, on November 20, 1947, at London’s Westminster Abbey.
The first of Elizabeth’s four children, Prince Charles, was born in 1948.From the start of her reign, Elizabeth understood the value of public relations and allowed her 1953 coronation to be televised, despite objections from Prime Minister Winston Churchill and others who felt it would cheapen the ceremony.
Holidays Accommodation LondonWelcome to Durmwell, Get the best vacation apartment in London.
Book the perfect family-friendly homes in London.Modern Serviced ApartmentsFROM £65 per nightFind now the best Apartment for your next stay.
Never pay more for your luxury stay in the best locations…Holidays Accommodation LondonServiced Apartments for Short and Long Stay-- Serviced Apartments & Holiday Homes --Are you going to travel to London soon and still don't know what to do there the whole time?This article will help you to find out more about the famous tourist attractions, how to get to the centre and move around and will tell you what you cannot miss in the British capital.Let´s start with public transport: This is really easy in London.
If you take the tube the only thing you have to know is the direction in which you are travelling.
Print out a little tube map before you get to London or make sure to have one in you tourist guide and then it´s absolutely easy to travel within the city.
From Heathrow you can use the tube or the Express train and reach the centre within 20 minutes or 45 minutes by tube.Once you are in the centre and got to your Holidays Accommodation London you can start your trip and the city is all yours.