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When I searched for “places to visit in London,” two locations popped up frequently: Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. I booked a Westminster Abbey tour on the third day of our arrival in London. Until I set foot inside the royal church, I really didn’t have much information about the place. I prepared myself for surprises.
Right off the bat, when I entered the building, they gave me an audio guide with headphones. I put on the headphones and started walking. I only started to understand the magnitude of my experience when I looked down, walking through the first door, to see a white marble grave on the ground.
I casually read, Charles Robert Darwin, Born 12 February 1809, Died 19 April 1882. “OMG, Darwin is here,” I said to my husband and daughter walking by me. Things got more and more interesting as I made my way down the aisles.
Westminster Abbey was a monastery erected around 1066 and dedicated to Saint Peter. More than 40 English monarchs were coronated there. I walked past many tombs and burial places of kings and queens. I found out that there are more than 3000 monarchs buried there (that’s three zeros), including 30 kings and queens and hundreds of influential figures from different disciplines.
Some of the famous people buried there include Geoffrey Chaucer, Stephen Hawking, Elizabeth I, Laurence Olivier, the Unknown Warrior, and many others.
The Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey
The most important grave at Westminster Abbey belonged to the Unknown Warrior. The unknown British soldier was carried back from France and buried at Westminster following the First World War. He represented all missing and unknown service members who served in that conflict and made the ultimate sacrifice. “These people gave their lives and identity to protect the freedom of British people,” my audio guide reminded me.
Westminster Abbey was a monastery erected around 1066. There were more than 40 monarchs were coronated, and around 3000 kings and queens buried at the Abbey.
I tried to film my visit and experience at Westminster Abbey for my family. I was doing a quick report for them. If you are up for it, you can go to the Peace Talk With Sara TikTok channel to watch the video. I speak both Farsi and English in the recap. I filmed the golden walls, golden chairs, statues of kings and queens, and most importantly Shakespeare.
After visiting a few tombs, listening to the history, and swimming in the ocean of visitors, I felt tired and bored. I became less interested in seeing dead kings and queens and finally reached the Poet Corner.
The Poet Corner at the Abbey
I didn’t detect Geoffrey Chaucer in the Poet Corner because I got hooked up at D. H. Lawrence’s black and goldish grave. You see, I was reading Lady Chatterley’s Lover for the second time. Seeing the grave of the writer whose book I was currently reading was so fascinating to me. And of course, the Shakespeare statue got all my attention.
Here are my recommendations for visiting Westminster Abbey
- Try to go as early as you can
- Try to take the bus. Many routes go to the Abbey. You can enjoy sitting on the second level of London’s red buses and see the city.
- If you are with kids, spend more time in the first two rooms with lots of glamour, golden walls and chairs, long candles to lighten up, and space to roam easily. Then, move quicker through tombs and monuments.
- The balconies are a great place to take some fresh air, get a bit of space, and recharge after heading back into the crowd.
- If you are by yourself, take two rounds to visit the rooms. During the first round, spend time listening to the audio guide, which is usually short. In your second round, stand back and piece the info together.
- Don’t worry about private tours. They don’t tell you more than the audio guide that comes with your ticket purchase.
- Don’t worry about special exhibitions at the church. They charge extra, and they are not as interesting. There is plenty to enjoy on the main floors.
- Don’t eat at the church’s café. It is overpriced and low quality. You can find plenty of eateries and cafes right outside.
- If it is your first time like me, plan a visit to the Abbey in the middle of your trip, after you know a little more about London’s history, and you’ve already exhausted your kids with fun sceneries in London.
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