The huge and beautiful abbey where the monarchs of the past were christened, crowned and buried.
No trip to London would be complete without a visit to Westminster Abbey, which has been the scene of some of Britain's defining moments since its foundation in 960. The abbey church was rebuilt in the middle of the 11th century by Edward the Confessor, in the Romanesque style. In 1245, Henry III began redesigning a new church which was constructed in the contemporary Gothic style, and it is this building that largely survives today.
Aside from the grand architecture, the biggest draw of Westminster Abbey is its colossal collection of tombs. It is in Westminster Abbey that the monarchs of Britain were crowned and buried, at least until 1760. Many other famous figures have also been buried here; to walk through its grand and imposing halls is to take a tour of famous scientists, writers, actors, aristocrats, churchmen, politicians and explorers, of which Neville Chamberlain, Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling and Sir Isaac Newton are but a few.
More recently, the abbey was the centre of the world's attention as Prince William married his university sweetheart within its walls. Allowing visitors to really soak in British history, a visit to the abbey is an opportunity which should not be missed.
Westminster Abbey
20 Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA