Westminster Abbey

Royal church, coronation site and continuing pilgrimage shrine of St Edward the Confessor. The site is in London, Greater London, England. A Benedictine monastery existed at Westminster by the tenth century.

Henry III began the present Gothic abbey church in 1245 around the shrine of Edward the Confessor. The Abbey has also been the coronation church for English and later British monarchs since 1066, giving it a national ceremonial role alongside its religious life. Henry III rebuilt the church from 1245 in honour of St Edward the Confessor and placed the saint’s shrine at the heart of the new building.

The Abbey, St Margaret’s Church and the Palace of Westminster together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The shrine of St Edward the Confessor remains a focus of Christian pilgrimage and prayer. Abbey interpretation preserves medieval devotional stories about the saint, but these traditions are distinct from the documented architectural and institutional history of the Abbey.

Its recognised heritage context is: UNESCO World Heritage Site component with the Palace of Westminster and St Margaret’s Church. Architecturally, the site is associated with Gothic. The site continues to function religiously as well as historically.

Visitors should expect worship and community use to take priority over sightseeing, and should consult the official website for current opening arrangements, service times and any access restrictions.