OK,
there are of course lots of interesting and worthwhile religious places
to visit in London. However this web site is aimed at visitors to
London, so here we focus on the two main destinations visited, Westminster
Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral.
Remember both are primarily working religious churches, though visitors
are very welcome and an important source of funding. Do check before
you visit, as access to the public can be stopped at any time. Religious
activities take a firm priority over the needs of visitors. |
| Westminster
Abbey |
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Westminster
Abbey Official Web Site |
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Westminster
Abbey is England's main religious building. Originally built in
Saxon times in the 7th Century, its real importance dates from 1065
with Edward the Confessor setting up his throne here. Since that
time Government has always been centred on Westminster, with commercial
activity centred on the City of London to the east.
The present church was begun by Henry III in 1245. By the 16th Century
in Tudor times, Westminster Abbey had become the setting for coronations,
royal marriages and funerals.
Every year Westminster Abbey welcomes over one million visitors
and is very much part of the standard tourist trail complete with
large coach parties. It should be remembered The Abbey is very much
a working church. It is closed Sundays for worship and restrictions
are regularly applied adhoc in response to religious events.
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Every
monarch since William the Conqueror, with the exception of Edward
V and Edward VIII who were never crowned, has been crowned in the
Abbey. The first documented coronation here was that of William the
Conqueror in 1066, the most recent was that of Queen Elizabeth II
on 2 June 1953. The decision to televise the coronation of the present
Queen in 1953 made it possible for the general public to witness the
ceremony in its entirety for the first time.
The Benedictine monastery at Westminster was dissolved in 1540 as
part of the impact of Henry VIII's creation of the Church of England
breaking away from the Catholic Church. Since then Westminster Abbey
has just performed the role of church.
Admission
Charges & Opening Times
Please
check the official web site, (link at top of page).
Check especially for events or services that may affect your visit
on the day you are planning.
The Abbey never charges people who just want to worship.
Tours
(Extra Charge)
Verger-led tours of the Abbey are available, in English, for individuals
or family groups only (and not for larger parties or school visits).
They start at the North Door, last for approximately 90 minutes and
include a tour of the Shrine (containing the tomb of Saint Edward
the Confessor), the Royal Tombs, Poets' Corner, the Cloisters and
the Nave.
Audio-guides
are also available to visitors to take their own time to visit the
Abbey. This tour takes around one hour.
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Getting
to Westminster Abbey:
Westminster
Underground station is opposite Westminster Abbey.
The District, Circle and Jubilee Lines all service the station. The
Underground station was redeveloped recently and is much more roomy,
airy and modern than the typical Underground
station. |
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By
Big Ben opposite is Westminster Pier, where scheduled
river boats ply the River Thames. Most popular/frequent route
is to the Tower of London, but you can go as far as Hampton Court
during the summer months.
The very popular hop
on, hop off London tour buses of course also stop at Westminster
Abbey. |
| St
Paul's Cathedral |
St
Paul's Cathedral |
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St
Paul's Cathedral Official Web Site |
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Designed
by Christopher Wren, St Paul's Cathedral was built between 1675
and 1710 as a replacement for the cathedral burnt down in the great
fire of London.
The classical dome dominates the city area of London of which it
is part. St Paul's is the UK's premier religious cathedral, if there
is a royal wedding or major memorial service this is where it will
be. Many of England's famous historical figures are buried here.
In medieval times executions took place outside St Paul's Cathedral.
This includes in 1606 the conspirators of the
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Gunpowder
Plot to blow up the King, James 1 and 500 MP's at Westminster. The
churchyard was also once a centre for second hand books and a publishing
area. Shakespeare is just one who was published from here.
The original St Paul's was found in 604. Several buildings have stood
here, the current one dates back to 1666 when the Great Fire of London
occurred and St Paul's' had to be rebuilt. The first service was held
in 1697, a special levy on coal being applied to pay for the building.
Christopher Wren was responsible for the Cathedral and it is acknowledged
as one of the finest buildings of its era.
The Cathedral is famous for its dome, the second biggest in the world
after St Peter's in Rome. Many royal marriages have taken place here
including that of Prince Charles and Diana in 1981.
National heroes, including Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, and
Winston Churchill are buried in the Cathedral’s Crypt.
An American Memorial Chapel was rebuilt after the Blitz and commemorates
members of the US forces who gave their lives in Britain during the
Second World War.
The pinnacle of any trip to St Paul’s is to climb the spiral
staircase to the Whispering Gallery to sample its unique audio effects
before travelling up and out to the Stone and Golden Galleries, which
afford a panoramic view of London that is second to none!
St-Paul's is a fully working Anglican Cathedral with frequent services
throughout the week. Remember St-Paul's is primarily a functioning
Cathedral, if it is an important part of your visit check out the
web site in advance, closures are frequent because of special services.
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Admission
Charges & Opening Times
Please
check the official web site, (link at top of section).
Check especially for events or services that may affect your visit
on the day you are planning.
Tours
(Extra Charge)
A guided tour of the Cathedral and Crypt lasting between 1.5 and 2
hours.
Audio-guides
in many languages are also available to visitors to take their own
time to visit the Abbey. This tour takes around one hour.
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Getting
to St Paul's :
St Paul's
has an Underground station named after it on the Central Line. Blackfriars
Station on the Circle and District Line is only about 300m from St
Paul's Cathedral too.
Blackfriars also has a railway station used by the First Capital trains
between Gatwick and Luton stopping amongst others at Kings Cross and
London Bridge. |
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The
very popular hop
on, hop off London tour buses of course also stop at St Paul's
Cathedral.
Frequent buses connect St Paul's Cathedral with the Tower of London.
Going the other way many buses travel through Aldwych and onto Trafalgar
Square, geographically the Centre of London.
The Millennium pedestrian bridge crosses the River Thames in front
of St Paul's Cathedral over to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the
Tate Modern museum. |
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