| Best London Travel Deals | Sponsored Links |
London Hotels
Get Our Best Price Guarantee on All Hotels in London at Expedia. Sanderson - London Hotel
Boutique Urban Hotel In The Heart Of London's West End. Reserve Now London Hotels
Up to 70% Off London Hotels. Prices Include Breakfast & Taxes!
| Westminster Abbey tips and photos posted by real travelers and London locals.
Deans Yard, SW1
• 371 Photos
• 242 Reviews
See all London Things To Do |
 | London Westminster Abbey Reviews | 1 - 10 of 242 |  |
It is quite surprising that few people realise that London is in fact two cities - because it has two Anglican Cathedrals.
The City of London has St Pauls, but Westminster Abbey is the centrepiece to the City of Westminster.
The Abbey itself (with the exception of the Marriage of Charles & Diana which was at St Paul's) is at the heart of the nation's life with nearly all Coronations, Royal funerals and weddings taking place here.
The place is high on many tourist agendas, but if you are a bit jaded by seeing cathedrals then at least consider taking a look at the Abbey's USP (unique selling point) : Poet's corner.
Not all on the list (e.g Shakespere) are buried or have their remains here, whilst some (because of the lively exploits) only gained a place recently : Such as Byron.
I've included the full list below, and as you can see it includes many of the 'greats' of English Literature, plus many that philistines like me have never heard of !
Adam Addison Anstey Argyll Arnold Atkyns Auden Austen
Barrow Barton Benson Birch Black Booth Brontes Browning Burns
Busby Butler Byron Caedmon Camden
Campbell Carroll Cary Casaubon Caxton
Chambers Chaucer Chiffinch Coleridge
Cowley Coxe Cumberland D'Avengant
D. Thomas Dickens Drayton Dryden Fox
Eliot G Garrick Goldsmith Gordon Grabe
Gray Grote Hales Handel Hardy Hauley
Heather Hokins Hope Horneck James
Johnson Jonson Keats Keble Kipling
Lawrence Lind-Goldschmidt Litlyngton
Longfellow Macaulay Mackenzie
Macpherson Masefield Mason Milton
Murray Osbaldeston Outram Parr Philips
Pringle Prior Reith Roberts Robinson Ruskin
Saint-Evremond Scott Shadwell Shakespeare
Sharp Shelly Sheridan Simpson South
Southey Spenser Spottiswoode T.S. Eliot
Tait Taylor Tennyson Thackeray Thirwall
Thomson Triplet Tudor Vincent Wetenhall
Wordsworth Wyatt Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
Visiting London?
Read reviews about London Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Althought I lived in London for over a year, I only visited Westminster when friends or relatives visited. My mom insisted not only on visiting during touring hours, but also on attending several services, including Christmas Eve.
We found the tours to be excellent, though by the time you pay admission and then the tour cost, it can get a bit expensive, especially for a family. The tour also takes quite a chunk of your day.
Now for the positive reasons for taking a tour. First of all, like many other churches in England without the history or background, all you get is the beautiful architecture. This is adequate for most, but after paying 7.5 pounds, you might as well pay a few more to learn what you are looking at. Besides giving an indepth history, the tour also takes you into a few places that are inaccessible to the rest of the public. Our tour guide also arranged for anyone in the tour group to sit in the choir boxes for the evening choir which my mom was thrilled about. With small tour groups they can manage to do this for some evening songs.
If you dont have time for a tour and you want to avoid the entrance fee, find out when the services are, dress appropriately, and confidently walk up to the main gate and say you are there for such and such service. They immediately let you in while hordes of other tourists stand around trying to figure out your secret. We did this three time and even with our American accents, they immediately opened the doors as services are generally open to the public.
For service times, touring times, and entrance prices, check out the website that has extensive details. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
For almost one thousand years, Westminister Abbey has been the setting for much of London's ceremonies such as Royal Weddings, Coronations, and Funeral Services.
I personally think that it is one of the grandest pieces of architecture in the capital. It's an awesome and vast place that gleams white and pink outside but seems darker inside.
In addition, the Abbey is the parish church of the Royal Family, when in residence at Buckingham Palace. Thus, it is a Royal Peculiar (not under control of the Archbishop of Canterbury but under direct control of the Queen).
It is symbolically the entire nation's church and almost museum-like, considering the large amount of history associated with it.
I especially enjoyed seeing Poet's Corner located in the south transept because it commemorates famous authors such as Shakespeare, Milton, Chaucer (also buried here), Shelley, Dickens, & Keats as well as many others.
The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior of WWI resides here, a very poignant tomb despite its "ordinary" look.
I remember seeing Elizabeth II's Coronation at Westminister Abbey via TV in 1953. As an adolescent, I was mystified by the grandeur. At that time, I gushed about its beauty; when I saw it 40 years later, I felt the same.
Allow several hours & include seeing St. Margaret's Church & Jewel Tower.
If you love architecture as I do, then make sure you don't miss a visit to the Abbey.
Warning: no photographs inside!
Free admittance
Open: 9:00 am-3:45 pm, Mon-Friday Leave a Comment
|
| | |
This architectually magnificent masterpiece of the 13th-16th Centuries has been the site of the coronations of all of Britain's monarchs apart from two, since the crowning of William the Conquerer in 1066. It is choc-a-block with statues, effigies, and monuments to countless Medieval kings and queens who are entombed or have memorials here. It is also where many visitors pay pilgrimage to The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Westminister Abbey Leave a Comment
|
What can I say about famous The Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Westminster, known to all of us as Westminster Abbey, that hasn’t been said already? It belongs to the Church of England, but has the status of royal peculiar and is thus directly belonging to the British Sovereign.
During my recent (2008) visit in London I didn’t visit the abbey (which I now regret), but I have been inside on many occasions during previous visits to London.
The best time to visit the abbey is in the morning on a sunny day, as only then the stained glass windows in Henry VII’s Lady Chapel will show their full splendour. This part of the abbey was/is my favourite, maybe because I adore this most magnificent fan-vaulted roof in Perpendicular style (England’s late Gothic). Together with the colourful banners (with heraldic emblems) of the knights of Order of the Bath this chapel is simply radiating! Nearby, in the sanctuary, is St. Edward’s Chair on display, but protected now, as obviously many of us former visitors have left marks on it. Seing this chair, which has been used for all 38 coronations of English, British and Commonwealth sovereigns (except 2) since William the Conqueror in 1066 is quite an awed sight. Another fascinating detail, albeit big and maybe unnoticed, as it is covered often for protection as conservation work is still ongoing is the magnificent Cosmati pavement dating back to 1268.
Many royals as well as other famous people are buried in Westminster Abbey, with beautiful tombs and gravestones. My alltime favourite is the one of Isaac Newton perfectly explaining his cognition about gravity and universe. Other famous scientists buried here are Ernest Rutherford (planetary model and Noble Price in Chemistry for chemistry of radioactive substances , Robert Stephenson (Rocket, steam engine) and Charles Darwin (which I find a good demonstration of the Anglican Church’s modern approach – he has no monument in any Catholic church), then explorer David Livingstone and famous poets and musicians like Georg Friedrich Händel and of course William Shakespeare (but only a memorial, he is buried in his birthplace, Statford-upon Avon - thanks dear Ewa for reminding me :-).
I also liked the grave of the Unknown Warrior, but it took me years to understand the reason for the decoration with poppies (my school history lessons stopped at 30-Years’ War…and German schools didn’t teach about WWI and II when I was young…). Thanks to Sarah’s explanation about the poppies I know now what they mean. In my opinion it is important to learn more about this, as every foreign visitor will come across the poppies everywhere, not only at Remembrance Day (November 11 at 11:00 a.m.). The poppies are made by the Poppy Factory in Richmond, where many disabled and ex-Service connected people work.
When I was visiting Westminster Abbey in the past, brass rubbing was very popular. However, if I take it correct from the Abbey’s website, it is no longer allowed.
Westminster Abbey’s opening hours strongly depend on the day (of week or generally), but their website has a very intelligent opening hours calendar (shows the hours of the actual day). Admission fee is £12 for adults (and several reductions for groups, students, schools etc). Note that the entry is at the northern portal with different doors for cash and credit card payment. Entry to the cloister is free of charge, this can be reached via Dean’s Yard.
Coordinates on GoogleEarth:
51°29’58,95’’N; 00°07’38,47’’W Leave a Comment Phone: +44 (0) 20 7222 5152Directions: Westminster Abbey, west of Palace of Westminster. Tube station: Westminster (exit 3) (District, Circle, Jubilee Line).Website: http://www.westminster-abbey.org Other Contact: Fax: +44 (0) 20 7233 2072
|
| | |
Visiting London?
Read reviews about London Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Westminster Abbey’s western façade always had niches above the portal, but somehow they were never filled with statues. When I was second last in London (1996), the four niches left and right of the the Great Western Door already were showing allegoric figures of traditional virtues Mercy, Truth, Righteousness and Peace. But then the ten nices above the door were still empty, however there were plans to fill these remaining niches with statues as well. On July 9, 1998 they were finally unveiled by the Archbishop of Canterbury, H.M. The Queen and H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh.
No words can better describe the intention behind these ten statues than the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, who wrote on their website:
…not just to commemorate saintly or worthy figures from the past, but to proclaim a message of which too few people are aware: the twentieth century has been a century of Christian martyrdom. The cost of Christian witness, and the number of Christians willing to die for what they believed (alongside others of different religious faiths or none), has been greater in this century than in any previous period in the history of the church.
These ten statues are of individual martyrs; but they are intended to represent all those others who have died (and continue to die) in similar circumstances of oppression and persecution. They are drawn from every continent and many Christian denominations. They include victims of the struggle for human rights in North and South America, of the Soviet and Nazi persecutions in Europe, of religious prejudice and dictatorial rule in Africa, of fanaticism in the Indian subcontinent, of the brutalities of the Second World War in Asia and of the Cultural Revolution in China. In these and other similar circumstances during this most violent of centuries thousands of men and women have paid with their lives for their faith and their convictions. Those represented here have left their testimony to the ultimate cost of Christian witness and to its enduring significance.
(taken from Westminster Abbey website, see link below)
This is a wonderful idea in my opinion and it also shows the very much progressive and modern attitude of the Anglican Church (compared to Roman Catholic).
The stautues are the work of Tim Crawley, Neil Simmons, John Roberts and Andrew Tanser and show (from left to right):
Maximilian Kolbe, Polish priest who was executed by the deadly brainsick Nazi terror regime in Auschwitz on August 14, 1941,
Manche Masemola (photo 5), a girl from Transvaal who converted to Christian belief and was murdered by her own parents at the age of 15 on February 4, 1928,
Janani Luwum, archbishop of Uganda, who was killed by Idi Amin’s death squadron on February 12, 1977,
Elizabeth of Russia (photo 2), born princess of Hesse Darmstadt, sister of the last Tzarina Alexandra and married to grand duke Sergej Alexandrowich. After her husband was killed, she founded Orthodox monastery Martha-Maria and was murdered by Bolsheviks the night after the Tzar family was slaughtered, July 18, 1918,
Martin Luther King, the famous civil rights movement leader was killed in Memphis April 4, 1968,
Oscar Romero, archbishop of El Salvador was killed by the death squadrons during revolution on March 24, 1980,
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (main photo), Polish Lutheranian pastor from Wroclaw was another victim of the deadly brainsick Nazi terror regime and executed on April 9, 1945,
Ester John, an Indian girl, was brutally murdered on February 2, 1060 by maybe her family for having converted to Christianity and for not obeying the force to marry a muslim husband,
Lucian Tapiedi (photo 4), a priest from Papua New Guinea who was killed by a member of Orokaiva tribe who cooperated with the Japanese during their invasion in July 1942,
Wang Zhiming (photo 3), priest of Christian belief who was executed by the deadly brainsick Mao terror regime during the cultoral revolution on December 29, 1973.
(I have created a travelogue with photos of the other statues including a photo of 1996, where the niches were still empty). Leave a Comment
|
| | |
located in central london westminster abbey is one of the most beautiful churches in england. westminster abbey was commissioned by edward the confessor in 1050 AD. the abbey has been expanded over the years and it's most recent addition is the west front towers built in 1745. the abbey houses the tombs of english monarchs and famous notables. edward the confessor and queen elizabeth I are entombed here. near edward the confessor's tomb is the coronation chair, constructed in 1301 it is where english monarchs have been crowned since 1308. the poet's corner contains the tombs and memorials of england's literary greats. the charter house built in the 13th century contains very interesting medieval tiles and stained glass. the abbey is a must see sight when visiting london.
|
Founded by Edward the Confessor in 1065, the present day WESTMINSTER ABBEY was largely built by Henry III in the 13th century.
Westminster Abbey holds a unique position in English history as both the burial place and crowning of most English Sovereigns, including the coronation of William the Conqueror and Queen Elizabeth II.
This magnificent Abbey on Parliament Square, houses countless memorials to illustrious public figures. Attractions include the Cloisters, Chapter House and Westminster Abbey Museum .
The North Entrance of Westminster Abbey is the Visitor's Entrance ( shown in small pix ).
Admission 8.00
Child 11-16 6.00
Child under 11 free Leave a Comment
|
A ten minute walk from the Houses of Parliament will bring you to Westminster Abbey, that venerable British institution. The first historic abbey on this site was built in 1050 by King Edward the Confessor, but the present Gothic style structure dates from a re-building effort carried out by successive kings over a long period between 1245-1517. A major upheavel occurred over all of England in 1534 when King Henry VIII seized all assets of the Roman Catholic church as a result of his disputes with the Pope over the King's maritial issues. However, because of the involvement of royalty in the earlier history of the Abbey, the structure was spared the destruction wrought by Henry VIII on many of the seized assets. This church is now a major British institution because, since the Norman conquest of Britain in 1066, all but three of the British monarchs have had their coronations in Westminster Abbey. The abbey is also the burial site for many of the monarchs and other famous Britons down through the centuries.
The second photo was an attempt to record some gold weather vanes at the top of the Abbey's columns, but the bright sky was not cooperating. We were getting chilly from the cold street winds and we were hungry too, so we opted not to explore further but instead headed into the Whitehall district in search of a warm pub! Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Westminster Abbey should definitely be high on every visitor's must see list. I think is one of the two places in London where you get the greatest sense of the country's history (the Tower of London is the other). Here all British monarchs from 1066 onwards, with the exceptions only of Edward V and Edward VIII, have been crowned, many of them married and, until George II, buried. Its wealth of historic sights include the Coronation Chair, the Shrine of Edward the Confessor, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, various Royal Tombs and the Royal Chapels.
So many of Britain's great men and women are buried here: Chaucer, Spenser, Kipling, Dickens & Tennyson with other writers in Poets' Corner; Handel, Vaughan Williams & Purcell; Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton & Robert Stephenson; Dame Peggy Ashcroft & Sir Henry Irving ...
Others are buried elsewhere but commemorated here: the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, Winston Churchill ...
The abbey is mainly Gothic in style, and its proper name is actually the Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster - but no one ever calls it that, and very few Londoners would even recognise the name! There has been a church on this site since 616AD but the present building was started in 1045 and much added too over the following centuries, being more or less finished in the 15th.
The Abbey is open to visitors on weekdays and Saturdays, but on Sunday only for those atending a service. Times vary a lot, so check the website below before you go - also if you'd like to attend a service. There is an entry charge of £10 (adults) and £7.00 (children & seniors). Phone: 020 7654 4900Directions: St James's Park or Westminster tube (both on the Circle and District lines). Westminster is nearer but I prefer the approach from St James's Park. Follow signs to the right exit, and walk ahead down Tothill Street - you can't miss it!Website: http://www.westminster-abbey.org
|
| | |
More London Tips Overview
| Hotels and Accommodations
Tips: 1,753 - Photos: 1,436 | Things To Do
Tips: 9,438 - Photos: 12,919 | Nightlife
Tips: 1,376 - Photos: 1,144 | Transportation
Tips: 1,987 - Photos: 1,556 | Restaurants
Tips: 2,912 - Photos: 3,226 | Shopping
Tips: 1,041 - Photos: 1,147 | Off the Beaten Path
Tips: 1,597 - Photos: 2,020 | Tourist Traps
Tips: 504 - Photos: 350 | Warnings or Dangers
Tips: 705 - Photos: 408 | Local Customs
Tips: 723 - Photos: 657 | Packing Lists
Tips: 293 - Photos: 126 | Sports Travel
Tips: 227 - Photos: 339 | General Tips
Tips: 2,321 - Photos: 2,266 | Flights
Tips: 165 - Photos: 0 |
 |
|
- PARK INTERNATIONAL HOTEL (117-125 CROMWELL ROAD )
117-125 Cromwell Road Kensington and Chelsea, London - Saint Gregory
100 Shoreditch High St, London - Best Western Paddington Court Hotel And Suites
27 Devonshire Terrace Paddington, London - Days Inn Waterloo
54 Kennington Road, London - Rydges Kensington Plaza
61 Gloucester Road, London - Millennium Mayfair
44 Grosvenor Square Mayfair, London - Grange Whitehall
2-5 Montague St Russell Square, London - Holiday Inn Brentwood
Brook St M25, Jct 28, London - Oakwood Luke House
3 Abbey Orchard Street, London - Barry House Hotel
12 Sussex Place Hyde Park - Paddington, Westminster, London - The Cranley
10-12 Bina Gardens South Kensington, London - Fraser Place Canary Wharf (80 Boardwalk Place London E14 5SH)
80 Boardwalk Place Trafalgar Way, London - Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons (Great Milton Oxford Oxfordshire Gb OX9 7PD)
Church Rd Great Milton, London - Hilton London Docklands (265 Rotherhithe Street.)
265 Rotherhithe Street, London - Radisson Edwardian Hampshire
31 - 36 Leicester Square, London
|
on March 27, 2006
on June 17, 2005
on May 12, 2005
on January 4, 2006
on February 28, 2009
on July 23, 2006
on April 7, 2006
on January 8, 2006
on December 1, 2007
