Initially built by Henry III in 1245 the royal Westminster Abbey is one of the most important Gothic buildings of England. It is a fabulous example of medieval architecture on a grand scale. At first home of Benedictine monks, the coronation church since 1066 and the final resting place of 17 monarchs. It stands on the south side of Parliament Square. It contains a treasury full of paintings, stained glass, pavements, textiles, books and various other artefacts plus the most significant collection of monumental sculptures of the UK. In the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries in the Abbey’s Triforium you can explore over 1,000 years of history in this truly unique space, high above the Abbey floor.
Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was held here in 1953.
In 1997 Princess Diana’s funeral took place here.
And in 2011 the wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton took place here.
The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior
When you visit the abbey you will be able to see the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. Here lies the body of an unknown soldier from the World War I battlefields. He was buried here in 1920. His grave serves to represent all those who have lost their lives in war.
Address
Westminster Abbey, 20 Deans Yd, Westminster, London SW1P 3PA
