Westminster Abbey

The Westminster Abbey is a religious building that has stood witness to the rich history and heritage of Great Britain. It is the crowning jewel of the City of Westminster in London, England. Formerly known as the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter, this gothic church has been a place of great religious significance to the Monarchy. Discover its cultural allure and more as part of our enticing Europe tour packages.

Traditionally, this is where the official King or Queen gets coronated, and also where they get buried. In fact, this place is so sacred that Queen Elizabeth the second highness, got married to the Duke of Edinburgh here in 1947. It later became the venue for the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana also.

This church was founded over a thousand years ago and is still functional today as a place of worship instead of just being a monument living off past glory. It is the testimony of the reverence and patronage that it has received over the years. Interestingly, Westminster Abbey has its own flag, with Tudor arms and Tudor roses on it.

The breathtakingly spectacular architecture and the mesmerizingly calm and spiritual environment definitely sets it apart from the other glorious sites of London.

• Visit Westminster Abbey London which is not just a grand church in London but also a fascinating historical museum and the resting place of many famous personalities.
• Visit the Poets’ Corner and Royal tombs to spot the burial remains of renowned poets, writers, British kings and queens like Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, T.S. Eliot and John Keats and several other politicians, industrialists and actors.
• Catch a glimpse of the Oak door near the Chapter House which is the only surviving Anglo-Saxon door in England that dates back to the 11th century.
• Take a stroll through the three gardens in Westminster Abbey - The Garth, The Little Cloister and College Garden and St. Catherine’s Garden. Witness the original stone precinct wall that has been intact for 900 years now.
• Indulge in the choral service and listen to the choir of Westminster Abbey singing from their Choir Stalls in the Quiver.

The best time to visit Westminster Abbey is during the morning hours as soon as it opens or on Wednesday evenings when the Abbey is open till dusk to avoid tourist crowds. Westminster Abbey is best visited between March and May when the weather is pleasant and enjoyable.

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History of Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is a 1000-year old spiritual landmark and a World Heritage Site in Westminster London. It presents a pageant of British history through its tombs of queens and kings, the shrine of St Edward, and countless memorials. Since 1066 it has been the central spot of every Coronation and other royal events.

In 1040 King Edward established his palace on the bank of the river Thames on Thorney Island. Close to this palace was a Benedictine monastery that was founded by St Dunstan and King Edgar in 960 AD. Edward further decided to enlarge this monastery, and he built a stone church over here in honor of the Apostle St Peter.

This church was later named as the Westminster in order to distinguish it from the extremely renowned St Paul's Cathedral in London. But the king got too ill till the time the church was built, and he ultimately died. After his death, his mortal remains were entombed near the High Altar area of the church.

You can only see a few traces of Edward monastery in today’s time in this church in the form of supporting columns and round arches. Some of the most significant ceremonies organized at the Abbey were William the Conqueror's coronation.

The abbey built by Edward survived only for two centuries. In the 13th century, King Henry III rebuilt the church in the Gothic style. The Abbey has been the burial ground of all the major monarchs, including William The Conqueror.

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Tips To Visit Westminster Abbey

• Book your tickets to Westminster Abbey in advance to avoid standing in long queues at the entrance.
• Wheelchair users and their caretakers are given free entry on all days.
• There is no official dress code for Westminster Abbey but visitors are expected to dress modestly.
• Wear comfortable shoes as you will have to walk a lot on old and uneven floors.
• Guests should remove their hats on entering the Abbey.
• While taking pictures is allowed inside the church, you cannot record videos, use flash or capture photos using devices like selfie sticks and tripod stands.

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You can choose any of the convenient transportation options mentioned below to reach Westminster Abbey from the city center.

- By Bus: You can board a direct bus that departs from Westminster Cathedral and arrives at Westminster Abbey. The bus services depart every after every twenty minutes and operate each day.

- By Car: You can also take a taxi or cab from London city center to Westminster Abbey. From the London station, it takes three minutes to reach Westminster Abbey by taxi.

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