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Why is Westminster Abbey so famous? This is the first question I asked Crystal when she put it on our itinerary for things to do in London. I was aware that it was a famous church, but other than that, I didn’t know why this religious building was so notable in the United Kingdom.

Before we get into the fun facts about what makes Westminster Abbey so remarkable, here are some details on what to expect when you visit.

Westminster Abbey Tickets
You can purchase tickets in advance online, or purchase tickets upon arrival. We did the latter since we weren’t sure what time we’d be able to visit. The price for one adult ticket was £25.00.

When to Visit Westminster Abbey
We read a lot of online reviews to get in line early to beat the long lines and crowds. Since we had other plans in the morning, we only had the option of visiting in the afternoon. We stopped by on a Thursday afternoon around 2 PM and to our surprise, the line wasn’t long at all. We only had to wait 15 minutes to enter.

Photography
We thought photography was prohibited, but this was not the case at all. If you go to Westminster Abbey’s website, it states that personal photography is welcome. They do have a list of what types of photography are prohibited so make sure to take a look at that if you plan on doing more than personal photography.

Now moving on to the fun facts of Westminster Abbey. There is a ton of history within these walls and I was able to absorb a tiny fraction of it. Here are 5 things I learned that make Westminster Abbey so famous:

1. Royal Tombs

I was surprised to learn that the church was a burial site for English and British monarchs. At first, I had imagined that there was a cemetery somewhere outside of the church grounds, but the bodies are actually buried within the Abbey’s walls.

Crystal and I have been obsessed with the history of the Tudors and all the Tudors are buried here except for the infamous King Henry VIII.

The designs of the tombs are very interesting, such as their poses and attire. Many of them are in ruffs, which are those huge uncomfortable-looking collars. These ruffs were a symbol of status and a fashion statement in the Elizabeth Era.

There are also tombs of prominent figures like Shakespear, Charles Darwin, Sir Isaac Newton, Jane Austen, and most recently, Professor Stephen Hawking.

2. Henry VII’s The Lady Chapel

The medieval architecture in this room is stunning from the floor all the way up to the fan vaulted ceiling. The ceiling is definitely the stand-out feature in here. The Lady Chapel is the burial place of 15 kings and queens including Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots.

You also can’t help but notice all the banners in here. The choir stalls were designated for all living Knights of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath and the banners of members hang over these stalls.

3. The Coronation Church

Westminster Abbey has been the setting for Coronations (a ceremony where the new monarch is crowned) since 1066. Queen Elizabeth II was crowned here on June 2, 1953, which lasted for almost three hours. It’s quite the process and if you’re keen on learning more, you can head to their website for more details.

The coronation chair has been used in coronation ceremonies since 1308 and is the oldest piece of furniture in the United Kingdom. The chair was constructed in 1297 and is a treasure that has survived for over 700 years.

4. Royal Weddings

Westminster Abbey is also the most iconic royal wedding location. Prince William and Kate Middleton married here in 2011 and it was fully packed with 2,200 guests. So far, a total of 16 royal weddings have taken place here.

If you’re wondering, Prince Charles and Princess Diana tied the knot at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married at St. George’s Chapel.

5. The Cloisters

The cloisters once used to be the busiest parts of the Abbey and were the center of monastic life. This is where monks meditated, studied, and exercised.

Not many people stopped here and mainly just used it as a pathway to exit the building. We thought it was such a peaceful space and can understand why monks spent much of their time here.

Final Thoughts

If you have time in your schedule, we think it’s worth the visit. The experience is much different from exploring a museum. In museums, artifacts are displayed, whereas in Westminster, you are actually standing in the history.

We spent about two hours in here and that was plenty of time for us. Even if you aren’t familiar with any of the history, the gothic architecture alone is extraordinary to see in person.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY
20 Deans Yd, London SW1P 3PA, UK (MAP)
+44 20 7222 5152

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