Memorial of the month
Learn about the lives and legacies of those remembered in the Abbey and discover how people from all walks of life have ended up in the nation's church.
Join a member of staff at 10:30am every Tuesday and Thursday during visitor opening hours for a 10-minute talk about one of the thousands of memorials or graves that can be found around the Abbey. Please be aware this offer can be subject to cancellation at short notice.
These talks are available to those with a ticket to visit Westminster Abbey.
As a notable member of the British aristocracy during the 18th century, Mary was not only a significant heiress with a vast fortune but also a woman of diverse accomplishments. She developed considerable expertise in botany, a significant achievement in her time despite facing profound personal challenges, including a cruelly abusive marriage.
Join a member of the Abbey team in Poets' Corner for a short 10-minute talk exploring Mary Eleanor Bowes' story as an early pioneer for women's rights, particularly in the context of divorce and in the world of botany.
Talks will take place at 10:30am every Tuesday and Thursday during visitor opening hours, except for Tuesday 5th August. Look out for signage in the Abbey that will highlight the location of the talk.
Caedmon, the earliest known English poet, is commemorated at Westminster Abbey for his contribution to the development of English literature. His story, steeped in legend, begins with his miraculous ability to compose poetry in his sleep, leading to his recognition as a key figure in early Anglo-Saxon culture.
Join a member of the Abbey team in Poet’s’ Corner for a short 10-minute talk that will explore Westminster Abbey’s role as a site of literary and cultural remembrance through the legacy of Caedmon.
Talks will take place at 10:30am every Tuesday and Thursday during visitor opening hours.
