30 Jul 2012
Westminster Abbey, one of London’s top visitor attractions, is open throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games. As London plays host to the biggest sporting event in the world this summer it is the perfect opportunity to explore one of the world’s greatest churches.
A designated World Heritage Site and ‘Royal Peculiar’, Westminster Abbey has a long and glorious association with royalty as the coronation church since 1066 and the setting for royal funerals and weddings, including the Royal Wedding last year.
Westminster Abbey is also the burial place of many of the nation’s kings and queens, and there are over 3,000 great men and women from a thousand years of history buried within the walls, including politicians, scientists, writers and musicians. Abbey highlights include the Coronation Chair, on which 35 monarchs have been crowned, and Henry VII’s Lady Chapel, a masterpiece of medieval architecture with its spectacular fan-vaulted roof.
Summer 2012 is a great time to visit Westminster Abbey – as well as touring the Abbey church visitors can see ‘The Queen & Her Abbey’, a special Diamond Jubilee exhibition in the Chapter House, and for those looking for some tranquillity away from the crowds there is College Garden, a peaceful garden reputed to be the oldest in England. There are also free summer events taking place, including Band Concerts, Classical Music recitals and Children’s events.
The Abbey is open for visitors from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm Monday to Saturday, with special late visits on Wednesday and Thursday evenings until 6th September.