Our history
As well as being a place of worship, Westminster Abbey has become a treasure house of artefacts. This is also where some of the most significant people in Britain's history are buried or commemorated.
More about the Abbey’s historyCoronation church since 1066
40 monarchs have been crowned in the Abbey since 1066. Find out more about the history of coronations, the objects and spaces used during the ceremony and the kings and queens involved.
Coronations at the AbbeyIn this section
Architecture
Although Westminster Abbey was founded in 960AD, the building we see today dates from the reign of Henry III in the 13th century.
More about our architectural historyAbbey in Wartime
The Abbey suffered damage during World War Two, but daily worship continued.
How the Abbey survivedThe Royal Air Force Chapel
A chapel dedicated to the men of the Royal Air Force who died in the Battle of Britain.
Discover more