Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey, formally the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is one of the most significant religious buildings in the English-speaking world. Since 1066 it has been the setting for the coronation of 40 English and British monarchs, and it has hosted at least 16 royal weddings and served as the burial place for 18 sovereigns. A Royal Peculiar, it falls under the direct jurisdiction of the monarch rather than a diocesan bishop.
The present church, begun under Henry III in 1245 in the Gothic style and completed over centuries, is a soaring masterpiece of pointed arches, fan vaulting and the spectacular Henry VII Lady Chapel. Its interior is a dense pantheon of national memory, with monuments and tombs to monarchs, statesmen, poets and scientists, including the famous Poets' Corner and the grave of the Unknown Warrior.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the neighbouring Palace of Westminster, the abbey remains a living place of daily worship as well as one of London's most visited landmarks. Its choir, organ and great occasions of state continue to make it a focal point of British national and ceremonial life.
- Annual visitors
- β 1,500,000
- Location
- 51.4994, -0.1275
- Local time
- 23:33 (Europe/London)
π Visiting hours
| MonβFri | 09:30β15:30 |
| Sat | 09:00β15:00 |
| Sun | Closed |
Sundays open for worship only; last admission times vary seasonally; approximate
β¨ Saints & blessed venerated here
-
Edward the Confessor Saint
Royal saint and founder; his shrine is the centrepiece behind the high altar
-
Peter the Apostle Saint
Patron of the abbey, formally the Collegiate Church of St Peter
-
Benedict of Nursia Saint
Founder of the Benedictine order under whose rule the medieval abbey lived
-
Edith of Wilton Saint
Anglo-Saxon royal saint historically venerated in the abbey's tradition
-
Margaret of Antioch Saint
Patron of adjacent St Margaret's Church within the abbey precinct
Care & donations
The Dean and Chapter of Westminster
Admission charge for sightseeing; donations welcomed; free entry for worship services
Official website βThe candle wall
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23:33
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