Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is not just a church — it is the coronation site of every English and British monarch since 1066, the burial place of 17 kings and queens, and a pantheon of British history. Here, William the Conqueror was crowned, Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart were buried, Darwin and Newton were laid to rest, and the coronation of King Charles III (2023) took place.
Must-See
- Poets' Corner: The most famous corner of the Abbey — graves and memorials for Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen, Brontë, Kipling, Tennyson, Handel, and dozens more. A literary pilgrimage site.
- Coronation Chair: The Coronation Chair (1296) is the oldest throne still in use — every monarch since Edward II has been crowned on it.
- Tomb of the Unknown Warrior: Right at the entrance — the most moving spot in the Abbey. An unnamed soldier from World War I, buried in soil from France, over whom every visitor steps. Even the Queen laid her bridal bouquet here.
- Lady Chapel: The Henry VII Lady Chapel in the east wing is a masterpiece of late Gothic Perpendicular architecture — the fan-vaulted ceiling is breathtaking.
Practical Information: Admission: £27 (cheaper online). Opening hours: Mon–Sat (Sundays only services, free entry for services!). Audio guide included. Allow 2 hours. Photography is not allowed inside.
