London | Westminster Abbey | Travel Guide

Westminster Abbey was founded in the year 960 and is one of the most historically significant churches in all of the United Kingdom. Westminster Abbey, which is a part of the Church of England, is not to be confused with Westminster Cathedral, a Catholic church in central London. Smart tourists arrive early and avoid weekends as lines can wrap their way around the block. Cameras are not allowed inside as this is still a place of daily worship. From the coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066 to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011, Westminster Abbey has been involved in some of the most significant moments in history. The Abbey is the final resting place for 17 monarchs, but it's not just royalty who are buried here. Over 3,300 people are interred in the Abbey, including Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens, Isaac Newton, and Charles Darwin, just to name a few. The cloisters adjacent to the Abbey were built between the 13th and 15th centuries and were the center of life in the monastery. Monks would use the area for meditation, exercise, study, and as a passage between buildings. This octagonal room in the East Cloister is known as the Chapter House. In the 14th century, the precursor to what would eventually become Parliament would meet in this room before they moved across the road to the Palace of Westminster. Recreated ornate stained glass windows surround the room, casting a noble glow on the proceedings below. Original tiles dating back to the 13th century are still visible. Other medieval relics include these paintings from the 1300s and this, the oldest door in Britain, constructed in the 1050s. Westminster Abbey is a true piece of history that has so many more secrets and stories to be told. Make sure it's high on your to-do list when you visit.