 London's Royal Palaces & Attractions
with Burlington Bertie .
Westminster Abbey
Venue: Parliament Square, SW1P. Tel: 0207 654 4900.
Access: 2008. 9.30am-3.45pm Mon/Tues, Thurs/Fri, 9:30am-1:45pm Sats. 9.30am-7pm Weds. Closed Suns and special occasions for worship only. Check Abbey calender for times, closures and map of interior and precincts.
Tickets: Adults £10., (Concessions). No charge to attend a Sunday or other service, or for prayer in the area reserved for worship.
Getting There:Nearest Tube. Westminster, (Circle and District Lines).
Burlington Bertie's Accommodation Choice:
The Crowne Plaza St. James offers 4-star accommodation in a beautiful turn-of-the-century Edwardian setting that offers sybaritic comfort in stately surroundings that are within easy walking distance of Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Whitehall and the best of West End shopping. Three restaurants cater for a variety of gastronomic tastes and moods after a cocktail in the trendy Zander Bar. Afternoon Tea in the Hamptons Bar while the resident pianist plays relaxing background music is a firm favourite with visitors. the hotel's spa, gym and fitness center offers massage and workouts after a 'hard day's night'. Disabled access throughout.
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estminster Abbey was built by Saxon King Edward "The Confessor", and consecrated in 1065 just days before his death. It has been rebuilt, enriched and enlarged by succeeding monarchs over 900 years to become both a living museum to Britain's spiritual, cultural and patriotic heritage and the Sovereign's House of God. All but two monarchs, (Edward V and uncrowned Edward VIII), have been crowned here since Edward the Confessor's successor Harold II, (January, 1066), and William the Conqueror, (December, 1066) set the precedent. Many are buried here with their consorts, though since Victorian times monarchs have been interred at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
Westminster Abbey. Britannia.com photo. |
Other than the famous West towers added by Nicholas Hawksmoor in 1740, the exterior and lofty Early Perpendicular Gothic nave belong to the 14th century - the inspired work of Henry Yevele, the "Disposer of the King's Works" for Edward III and Richard II. He also designed the remarkable hammer-beamed Westminster Hall across the road, venue for the State Coronation feasts until William IV's accession in 1830.
Burlington Bertie's Verdict:
There is much to see; from the small historic side chapels containing the decorated tombs of mediaeval, Tudor and Stuart Kings and Queens; Hugh Easton's haunting "Battle of Britain" Window, a modern masterpiece of the ancient art of stained glass; Poet's Corner and, enclosing it all in vaulting splendour, Yevele's magnificent Gothic nave.
When the Abbey is full, as it frequently becomes, it is the job of the Ushers to marshal the sometimes pushing throng of tourists and chivvy them along through bottlenecks like the side chapels; a possibly disturbing experience in a House of God. It is therefore wise to arrive as early in the day as possible if you wish to study the interior, its small historic side chapels and Poet's Corner in relative peace.
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Top Tips
1. Read about the Abbey in a good guide book to orientate yourself before your visit. The time spent will provide dividends.
2. Time budget two hours for the main Abbey building.
3. Add an extra hour if you wish to see the Old monastery Chapter House, Pyx Chamber and museum, College Garden, neighboring St. Margaret's Church, (no extra charge for these).
4. Consider the option of a guided tour, (see the Abbey website for details). If Britain's Royal, cultural and architectural history is of particular interest to you, the extra cost will be well worth the money.
5. This is a good opportunity to see the Palace of Westminster, (the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Hall and the Jewel Tower), explore Parliament Square and along the Thames Embankment, noting the many monuments along the way; bronzes commemorating Queen Boudicca, Richard Lionheart, Oliver Cromwell, General smuts, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, and many more.
6. This is a good opportunity to see the Palace of Westminster, (the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Hall and the Jewel Tower), explore Parliament Square and along the Thames Embankment, noting the many monuments along the way; bronzes commemorating Richard Lionheart, Winston Churchill, General Smuts, Oliver Cromwell, Queen Boudicca, and many more.
7. If pressed for time, book Knownworld Travel's popular 3 1/2 hour guided Essential London Tour. As well as Westminster Abbey, you will also see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Whitehall and Downing Street - the London residence of the Prime Minister - Trafalgar Square, and the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Mayfair and Piccadilly Circus, the heart of London's West End. Knownworld Travel's extended, full-day Discovering London Tour includes lunch in a London pub, a river trip on the Thames and a visit to the Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral.
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