11 Things You Can´t Miss in Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is England’s most significant and oldest religious building. A national shrine that has witnessed numerous royal coronations over the centuries and houses the tombs of members of the royal family and prominent British figures.

A living piece of the country’s history and a Gothic architectural gem that houses a wealth of beautiful works of art inside. In short, it’s one of the must-see attractions in London , whether you’re visiting for just two days or staying for a week.

If your plans include visiting this English icon, after purchasing your tickets to Westminster Abbey and checking its opening hours, I encourage you to read this post, where you’ll find a sneak peek at 11 wonderful sights to see inside Westminster Abbey.

At the east end of Westminster Abbey, you’ll find The Lady Chapel, one of those small artistic treasures of immense beauty found in churches that never fail to pleasantly surprise visitors.

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, its construction began in the 16th century during the reign of Henry VII of Tudor, and it holds great significance as the final masterpiece of English medieval architecture.

Walking through The Lady Chapel means you cannot take your eyes off the fan-vaulted ceiling from which carved golden pendants hang. A beautiful example of late medieval architecture that fits perfectly with the rest of the chapel’s decor.

Also striking are the colorful flags with heraldic motifs on the stiles adorning both sides of The Lady Chapel, which belong to the Knights of the Order of the Bath who have gathered here since the 18th century.

Other elements that tastefully decorate the chapel are the magnificent stained-glass windows, though they are not original, as the original ones were destroyed during the Restoration. They were installed in the 20th century and depict insignia of the fighter squadrons from the Battle of Britain in 1940 and emblems related to the Virgin Mary.

Completing this unique space are the more than one hundred statues of saints surrounding the chapel and symbols such as the English pawn, the Tudor rose, the fleur-de-lis, and the Welsh dragon.

St. George’s Chapel is home to one of the world’s most famous pieces of furniture: The Coronation Chair. A 14th-century medieval chair (the oldest piece of furniture in the country!) on which more than 26 monarchs have been crowned, including the famous Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and the current Queen Elizabeth II of England.

King Edward I had it made to hold the Stone of Scone (the rock the Scots used to crown their kings in the Middle Ages), and from then on it was to be used for the coronations of English monarchs.

The significance of the Stone of Scone lies in the fact that, according to the legend upheld by the kingdoms of Scotland and England, it was the very stone Jacob used to rest his head upon when he dreamed of Jacob’s Ladder, an episode recounted in the Book of Genesis.

In 1996, the British government returned the stone to Scotland, and it can currently be viewed at Edinburgh Castle, although it will be loaned to London for every new coronation.

As for King Edward I’s coronation chair, it remains on display at Westminster Abbey and continues to be used for the purpose for which it was carved.

In addition to hosting the coronations of numerous kings since the 10th century, Westminster Abbey is also the burial place for many of them.

As you stroll through The Lady Chapel, you can see the tombs of many monarchs, including Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, Queen Mary I and her sister Elizabeth I, Queen Mary Stuart, Edward V and Richard, Duke of York (the Princes in the Tower), and Charles II, among many others.

If you’re a fan of historical novels or films, many of these names will surely ring a bell, as their lives have been brought to the big screen countless times in recent years.

When you reach the northern part of Westminster Abbey, you’ll see one of its most popular spots, especially for literature lovers who make a pilgrimage here. It is known as Poets’ Corner, where more than a hundred writers are buried or honored.

A tradition that began in the 15th century with the burial of the poet Geoffrey Chaucer (author of “The Canterbury Tales”), followed by many other renowned writers such as Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, Samuel Johnson, and Thomas Hardy.

Other iconic figures of English literature, such as William Shakespeare, C.S. Lewis, Jane Austen, and the Brontë sisters, have memorials in their honor in the Poets’ Corner.

Heading now to the far west end of Westminster Abbey, you’ll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where an unidentified soldier who fought in World War I (1914–1918) lies. His remains were brought from France to England to be buried here, among kings, because, as the inscription reads: “He did well toward God and toward his country.”

During the Great War, nearly a million British soldiers perished in the conflict, and many of them could not be identified. This tomb in Westminster Abbey is intended to pay tribute to all of them. It is undoubtedly one of the most moving places you will encounter during your visit to the abbey.

One of the oldest areas of Westminster Abbey is the Pyx Chamber, located in the East Cloister of the abbey.

Stepping inside is like taking an exciting journey back in time to the church’s origins in the 11th century, when King Edward “the Confessor” sought to rebuild the previous abbey on the site. From those years, the Pyx Chamber still preserves several 11th-century tiles and its medieval tiled floor.

In the past, the British Crown used this chamber as a treasury, and it housed not only valuable silver and gold pieces but also extremely important documents and foreign policy treaties, as at that time this small room in Westminster Abbey was considered the safest in the city.

During your tour of Westminster Abbey, you can also admire the choir stalls. The original ones dated back to the Middle Ages and were replaced in the 18th century. The current one is from the 19th century, but the black-and-white marble floor in this part of the church is indeed original from the 17th century.

This is where the members of the church choir sing, a tradition dating back to the 10th century that is still celebrated today. In fact, choral services are often held in the church, which anyone can attend.

If you enjoy sacred music, don’t hesitate to check the event schedule to attend, as it’s a very special opportunity to experience the true majesty and spirituality of Westminster Abbey beyond its more tourist-oriented aspects.

The Cloisters are one of the most beautiful parts you’ll see during your tour of Westminster Abbey. They convey a great sense of peace and serenity. Walking through the cloister’s corridors, you’ll feel as though, for a moment, time has stood still.

Dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries, the monks of the Benedictine Order used them for prayer, meditation, exercise, or rest, and also to move between the various monastic buildings that made up Westminster Abbey, as the Cloisters served as a connection between them.

As a point of interest, the first twelve monks to arrive at Westminster were brought there by St. Dunstan (then Bishop of London) in the 9th century and remained here until King Henry VIII dissolved the monastery in the 16th century.

Located in the East Cloister, this beautiful room served as a meeting place for the monks and the abbot when they wished to discuss the day’s affairs, read the “Rule of St. Benedict,” or pray, among other duties.

In the 13th century, the King’s Great Council also met in the Chapter House, so it was in this part of Westminster Abbey that English parliamentarianism began. And later, in the 14th century, the House of Commons also met here several times before moving to the Abbey Refectory

If you love art, you’ll really enjoy this part of the tour, observing the octagonal architecture of the Chapter House, where a pillar stands out, rising toward the vaulted ceiling and fanning out. Also pay attention to the murals depicting scenes from the Apocalypse and the stained-glass windows, which are a marvel.

Before you leave, don’t forget to admire the wooden door of the Chapter House, which is believed to be the oldest in Great Britain. Amazing!

During your visit to Westminster Abbey, don’t miss The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries, a space within the medieval triforium above the nave that has remained hidden from visitors for over seven centuries.

It is a beautiful museum with stunning views of the church’s interior and Westminster Palace, which tells the millennia-old history of Westminster Abbey from its origins through hundreds of objects of great historical value.

To enter The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries, you must do so at a specific time. In the post “Westminster Abbey Opening Hours, ” you’ll find more information on this.

The College Garden at Westminster Abbey was where the Benedictine monks cultivated their vegetable gardens.

It is about a thousand years old, making it the oldest park in England. A place like this is well worth a visit, especially when the weather in London is milder and the gardens of College Garden are in full bloom and at their most beautiful.

The best time to visit this park is during the London spring (between March and May), although summer in London is also a good time. One of my favorite spots inside Westminster Abbey!