Westminster Abbey
The place where British monarchs have been crowned and buried since 1066. This Gothic church is the final resting place of Newton, Darwin, Dickens, and other famous figures, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Gothic main body of Westminster Abbey was begun in 1245 under Henry III. Since 1066, nearly every English monarch has been crowned here, and the coronation of Charles III in 2023 also took place in the abbey. Together with the Palace of Westminster, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the Coronation Chair, the fan vaulting of the Henry VII Lady Chapel, the tomb of Elizabeth I, Poets' Corner (where Chaucer, Dickens, and others are buried), the tombs of Newton and Darwin, the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and the Diamond Jubilee Galleries, which overlook the nave and require a separate ticket. Admission is about 30 pounds, including an audio guide. Booking online avoids queues. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours for the visit. On Sundays, the abbey is open only for worship. Westminster Underground station is a 5-minute walk away.
Opening hours
Mon–Sat approx. 09:30–15:30 (Sat until 15:00); Sunday for worship only
Nearby sights
- Churchill War Rooms
- Palace of Westminster & Big Ben
- Trafalgar Square
- London Eye
- National Gallery
- Piccadilly Circus
- Covent Garden
- Buckingham Palace