Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey A royal church offering daily services for all and a World Heritage Site with over a thousand years of history.
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The Abbey has been the Coronation church since 1066, and the setting for many other great events in the life of the nation. It is the burial place of kings and queens, and of other distinguished figures in the nation’s history, from writers and musicians to politicians and scientists.

'You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead me and guide me'Psalm 31: 3
12/09/2026

'You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead me and guide me'
Psalm 31: 3

Enjoy some free music here in the Abbey on Sunday when our Assistant Organist, Paul Greally, will be giving a recital of...
12/09/2026

Enjoy some free music here in the Abbey on Sunday when our Assistant Organist, Paul Greally, will be giving a recital of music by Vierne, Schumann and Howells.

The performance starts at 5pm and everyone is welcome.

Actress and singer Anne Bracegirdle died in 1748. She was well-known for playing breeches parts (roles in which an act...
12/09/2026

Actress and singer Anne Bracegirdle died in 1748. She was well-known for playing breeches parts (roles in which an actress appears in men's clothing) at a time when women appearing on stage was still unusual. She had a rivalry with fellow actress Anne Odlfield, who is also buried in the Abbey. It became apparent that audiences preferred her rival, and she decided to quit the stage.

Winston Churchill married Clementine Hozier in St Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey, in 1908, and the entry in the ...
12/09/2026

Winston Churchill married Clementine Hozier in St Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey, in 1908, and the entry in the parish register in pictured here.

St Margaret's has centuries-long links with the House of Commons, with parliamentary weddings and memorial services often held here.

'Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abo...
11/09/2026

'Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.'
1 Thessalonians 3: 11-12

11/09/2026

Historian Nandini Das joined us in the Lady Chapel to talk about the global connections that strongly influenced Tudor and Stuart England. In our Q&A with Nandini, she explored the lives of artists and pirates from around the world and considered what it means to be English.

Worship with us as we stream Evensong from the Abbey at 5pm (BST) today. The service will be sung by The Choir of Westmi...
11/09/2026

Worship with us as we stream Evensong from the Abbey at 5pm (BST) today. The service will be sung by The Choir of Westminster Abbey with music by Byrd and Gibbons.

Novelist and poet D.H. Lawrence, celebrated for works including Sons and Lovers and The White Peacock, was born in 188...
11/09/2026

Novelist and poet D.H. Lawrence, celebrated for works including Sons and Lovers and The White Peacock, was born in 1885. This is his memorial stone in Poets' Corner, which was dedicated in 1985 to mark the centenary of his birth. It lies close to our memorials to Lord Byron and Lewis Carroll, and is illustrated with a phoenix rising from a log fire, the flames shown in red.

'O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides.'Psalm 26: 8
10/09/2026

'O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides.'
Psalm 26: 8

Westminster Abbey has been a place of daily worship since the tenth century, and everyone is welcome at our services.
10/09/2026

Westminster Abbey has been a place of daily worship since the tenth century, and everyone is welcome at our services.

For this month's theme of , we're looking at the 14th-century sedilia by the Abbey's High Altar.The sedilia - seats u...
10/09/2026

For this month's theme of , we're looking at the 14th-century sedilia by the Abbey's High Altar.

The sedilia - seats used by the priests during Mass - date from around 1307 and feature richly decorated oak panels which were made by highly skilled craftsmen.

The panels were originally depicted eight figures, four on each side, including Henry III, Edward I and St Edward the Confessor.

However, not all of the paintings have survived. Some were destroyed during the Reformation and the Civil War whilst others have simply not survived the passage of time.

On the north side, the figures between the two kings - thought to have been St Peter and another saint - were obliterated. On the south side, the figure receiving Edward the Confessor's ring, probably St John the Evangelist disguised as a pilgrim, was also erased.

'Jesus said: 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you...
09/09/2026

'Jesus said: 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.'
Luke 6: 20-21

Early morning sunlight falls across the wall paintings in the Abbey’s 13th-century Chapter House.The Chapter House was w...
09/09/2026

Early morning sunlight falls across the wall paintings in the Abbey’s 13th-century Chapter House.

The Chapter House was where the monks gathered with the abbot to hold chapter: to pray and discuss the day’s business.

The wall paintings remain in many of the arches. The main sequence, depicting the Apocalypse and the Last Judgement, were the gift of John of Northampton, a monk of Westminster from 1375-1404. The scenes of birds and animals in the lower tiers were probably added a century later.

09/09/2026

Our Lay Vicars sing Victoria’s motet Ecce sacerdos magnus as the anthem during Evensong here on Thursday 3rd September.

William I died in 1087. Known as William the Conqueror after defeating King Harold II at the battle of Hastings, he wa...
09/09/2026

William I died in 1087. Known as William the Conqueror after defeating King Harold II at the battle of Hastings, he was crowned in the Abbey on Christmas Day 1066.

His reign is remembered for the compilation of the Domesday Book – which recorded the names of all landowners and tenants in England – and for the building of castles including the Tower of London.

He died after being flung from his horse during fighting in France at St Gervais priory outside Rouen. He is buried at St Stephen's church in Caen, which he had founded.

'Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever, your royal sceptre is a sceptre of equity; you love righteousness and ha...
08/09/2026

'Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever, your royal sceptre is a sceptre of equity; you love righteousness and hate wickedness.'
Psalm 45: 6-7

08/09/2026

The Abbey bells are ringing out to mark the fourth anniversary of HM The King's accession to the throne.

Today we remember Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who died four years ago, on this day in 2022.As a royal church, We...
08/09/2026

Today we remember Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who died four years ago, on this day in 2022.

As a royal church, Westminster Abbey had a special relationship with the Queen. Over the course of her life, she came here often for state occasions and national services, and some of the most important moments of her life took place here.

'Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening into the house and gate of heaven'

'Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power'Psalm 21: 13
07/09/2026

'Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power'
Psalm 21: 13

We'll be celebrating the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary at our services tomorrow and everyone is welcome to join us:7:...
07/09/2026

We'll be celebrating the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary at our services tomorrow and everyone is welcome to join us:

7:30am, Morning Prayer - Quire
8:00am, Holy Communion - Lady Chapel
12:30pm, Holy Communion - Nave
5:00pm, Evensong - Quire

If you're planning a visit to the Abbey, please be aware that College Garden will be closed for approximately five weeks...
07/09/2026

If you're planning a visit to the Abbey, please be aware that College Garden will be closed for approximately five weeks from Tuesday 15 September while we carry out essential conservation works.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience during these vital works.

Elizabeth I was born in 1533. The daughter of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, she was the longest-reigning monarch of the ...
07/09/2026

Elizabeth I was born in 1533. The daughter of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, she was the longest-reigning monarch of the Tudor dynasty. Her 45 years on the throne saw the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the ex*****on of Mary Queen of Scots and voyages of exploration and discovery.

This is the magnificent tomb in the Abbey’s Lady Chapel where Elizabeth lies buried with her half-sister, Mary I. Her marble effigy wears a crown and gilded collar and holds an orb and sceptre.

'The night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light'Roma...
06/09/2026

'The night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light'
Romans 13: 12

'Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.''Psalm...
05/09/2026

'Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.''
Psalm 16: 1-2

Join us in worship as we stream Evensong from the Abbey at 3pm (BST) today. The service will be sung by our Lay Vicars w...
05/09/2026

Join us in worship as we stream Evensong from the Abbey at 3pm (BST) today. The service will be sung by our Lay Vicars with music by Mundy, Quinney and Gabrieli and you can watch either live or on demand.

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20 Dean's Yard
London
SW1P3PA

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