Westminster Abbey London

Westminster Abbey is located next to the Houses of Parliament in the heart of London.

On Christmas Day in 1066, the Abbey witnessed the first Coronation of William the Conqueror.

Throughout the years many other monarchs have been crowned here, in fact all monarchs with the exception of Edward V and Edward VIII who were never crowned.

The last monarch to be crowned was the Queen in 1953.

This beautiful Gothic building is famous for the pomp and pageantry of royal weddings and the next royal wedding will be that of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29 2011.

After the ceremony the happy couple will be congratulated by thousands lining the streets of London in a procession to Buckingham Palace.

The formal title of the abbey is The Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster and there have been no monks here since the 16th century. The Abbey is owned by the royal family and receivs no funds from the State or the Church so there is a charge to cover expenses. Pupils from Westminster School attend services at the abbey on Mondays and Fridays.

Pope's Visit 2010

Pope Benedict XVI and the Archbishop of Canterbury the Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams attended a Service of Evening Prayer at Westminster Abbey on Friday 17 September 2010. The visit was memorable as Pope Benedict XVI is the first pope to visit the Church dedicated to St Peter.

Poet's Corner

Famous poets of British nationality are buried here such as Chaucer. Also authors, musicians and scientists such as Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde and Sir Isaac Newton and the actor Laurence Olivier was buried here in 1991.

Edward the Confessor

The Shrine of St. Edward the Confessor has been the focus of pilgrimages to Westminster Abbey since the Middle Ages. In the Nave is the grave of the Unknown Warrior.