History — Outstanding Attractions — Quick Facts

Although Westminster Abbey is one of London's most popular tourist attractions, it is still a place of regular worship as well as the where numerous great State occasions have taken place.

History

Various historic documents point to there being a religious foundation of some kind near the site of Westminster Abbey prior to the 11th century. When Edward the Confessor came to the throne he built a new church and monastery on the site of the present Abbey although little now remains of it. The new church was consecrated in December 1065 and within days Edward was dead.

The following year, after the Norman invasion, William the Conqueror was crowned in Westminster Abbey as were all succeeding monarchs except for Edward V and Edward VIII.

Over the next two centuries English kings added to and improved the building. Thenl Henry III had most of the old church demolished and the construction of a grand Gothic building, in the French style, was started. After Henry's death in 1272 work on the abbey virtually stopped until 1376 when Abbot Litlyngton had it restarted, financed by donations. Although 100 years had elapsed, the new builders still followed the original blueprint, making only minor changes. Building continued for almost two more centuries into the reign of Henry VIII when it finally reached completion.

Outstanding Attractions

• The Lady Chapel, also called Henry VII's chapel, is the site of the tombs of King Henry VII, Queen Elizabeth I, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth's sister, Queen Mary. Remember to look up at the spectacular vaulted Tudor ceiling.
• Edward the Confessor's Chapel contains the shrine to this king, who was canonised in 1139. His shrine quickly became a site of pilgrimage. Between this chapel and the Lady Chapel, you can see the Coronation Chair.
• The Nave, built by Abbot Litlyngton, demonstrated an innovation in architecture in the 14th century. The huge flying buttresses allowed the highest roof in Britain, 101 feet, to be built.
• In Poet's Corner you can find the graves and memorials of some of the country's greatest writers including Geoffrey Chaucer, Edmund Spenser, Charles Dickens, Robert Browning, Rudyard Kipling and Dr Samuel Johnson. Theatre and music is also represented here with the graves of Sir Laurence Olivier, David Garrick and George Frederic Handel.
• The Museum is housed in the oldest part of the Abbey and contains the death effigies of Edward III, Henry VII and Charles II. There are also waxworks depicting Elizabeth I, Admiral Nelson and Prime Minister William Pitt.

Quick Facts

Location: Parliament Square

Transport Links: Westminster Underground station on the District and Circle Lines
Victoria mainline station

Admission Charges: Adults - £6, children - £3

Opening hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 4.45pm (Last admission 3.45pm)
Saturdays 9am - 2.45pm (Last admission 1.45pm)
Sundays Worship only – no tourist visiting. Before you make a special journey, do check because the Westminster Abbey is sometimes closed during these times for special services.

History — Outstanding Attractions — Quick Facts

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Copyright © 2002 Carol Fisher. All Rights Reserved
Picture copyright © 2002 Carol Fisher. All Rights Reserved

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