The Museum is one of the oldest parts of the Abbey, dating back almost to the foundation of the Norman church by King Edward the Confessor in 1065.

The centrepiece of the exhibition is the Abbey's unique collection of royal and other funeral effigies. This collection includes effigies of Edward III, Henry VII, Elizabeth I, Charles II, William III, Mary II and Anne.

Later effigies include a striking likeness of Horatio, Viscount Nelson wearing some of his own clothes. There is also an effigy of the Prime Minister William Pitt, Earl of Chatham.

During recent conservation of Elizabeth I's effigy a unique corset, dating from 1603, the year of her death, was found on the figure and is now displayed separately.