Marvel at the Royal History and Grandeur of Westminster Abbey in Person

A trip to London would not be complete without visiting one of the most notable religious buildings in the country and the world. The site for numerous celebrations of the monarchy, Westminster Abbey has played a significant role in British history since its establishment in 960 AD. Explore the architectural beauty that boasts a rich history that curious visitors can see and learn about once they step inside.

If you haven’t heard of Westminster Abbey until now, here are a few facts about the historic monument to get you started:

The Abbey, formally known as the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an active place of worship in the city of London. Having been the traditional venue for coronation ceremonies, and a burial site for British monarchs and notable figures, the Church holds status as a Royal Peculiar, which makes it exempt from the rule of the diocese, but is under the monarchy instead. The Abbey has also been the venue of several royal weddings, most notably that of King Henry I of England in 1100, and Prince William and Catherine Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011.

The original Abbey was first founded in 960 AD as a Benedictine monastery. In the 1040s, King Edward I chose to expand and enlarge the old building in honor of St. Peter the Apostle. The building was finally completed in 1065, and remained that way until 1245 when King Henry III had it rebuilt in a Gothic style and designated it to be his burial site. This, along with new additions and some reconstruction over the years, is Westminster Abbey as it stands today.  

The Abbey is home to more than 600 beautiful monuments and wall tablets that showcase British history, and over 3,300 burials and memorials of prominent British figures. Guests will find themselves walking the same paths that Kings and Queens once did.

Here are some more details as to Westminster Abbey’s most fascinating structures and attractions that are sure to leave you in awe:

Westminster Abbey has been the venue for nearly every coronation since William the Conqueror’s in 1066. The Coronation Chair, built in 1296 as commissioned by King Edward I, is the centerpiece of all coronations as the throne upon which monarchs are seated at the moment of being crowned. The Gothic-style chair was carved from oak, but has since been the victim of some disfigurement, which is why it is immensely protected and rarely leaves its enclosure at St. George’s Chapel, though guests are free to admire the wonderful details and craftsmanship of one of the most important pieces of furniture in history.

The Henry VII Chapel, or the Lady Chapel, is a grand shrine in devotion to the Virgin Mary. It is renowned for its impressive pendant fan vault ceiling, and for the many monarchs interred in its vaults, including Henry VII himself entombed next to his wife, Elizabeth of York. Visit the Royal Tombs of Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Mary I, and Mary Queen of Scots, along with over 20 other past kings and queens. Westminster Abbey has also been witness to royal funerals, such as those of Diana the Princess of Wales in 1997, and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 2002.

In addition to British monarchs, the burials and memorials of over 100 poets and writers are also located inside Westminster Abbey, in its Poets’ Corner. In 1400, Geoffrey Chaucer was the first poet to be buried in the Abbey after serving as the Clerk of the King’s Works. Since then, Poets’ Corner has become the site of the graves of notable literary figures, clergymen, and actors who have made significant contributions to British culture, such as Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, and George Frideric Handel. Literary fans can also meander through the memorials of prominent figures, like Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, and William Shakespeare.

Further exploration into the Abbey will reveal the spectacular Chapter House, originally used by Benedictine monks for daily gatherings. The walls of the octagonal chapter house are decorated with a combination of remains and restored versions of paintings depicting scenes from the Book of Revelation. Next to the Chapter House is one of the oldest surviving structures of Westminster Abbey, the Pyx Chamber, constructed around 1070 as a treasury to the monastery and the monarchy.

Let the years of history sink in as you wander through the walkways of the Cloisters. Once the busiest parts of the Abbey, the cloisters were previously used for various activities, like meditation and exercise. The charming gardens are ornamented with a memorial fountain to commemorate Lancelot Capability Brown, of England’s greatest landscape architects. The cloisters also contain the burial sites of several Abbots, clergymen and Church officials, and some actors and actresses. 

While visitors are not permitted to take photos inside of the Abbey, it’s an unforgettable experience in and of itself. Conveniently book with Klook to get instant confirmation and easy check-in to one of London’s most important landmarks. Simply present your voucher to redeem your physical ticket, then pick up an audio guide to immerse yourself in Westminster Abbey’s splendor and abundant history.