Westminster Abbey

The origins of Westminster Abbey date back to the mid-10th century when Benedictine monks first established a tradition of daily worship on this site. However, the first great church was built by King Edward the Confessor in the 1060s and consecrated just days before his death in 1066. This Romanesque structure laid the foundation for the Abbey's status as a royal site, hosting the coronation of William the Conqueror later that year, a tradition that has continued for every British monarch since. In 1245, King Henry III began the monumental task of rebuilding the Abbey in the magnificent Gothic style we see today. Inspired by the great cathedrals of France, Henry intended the Abbey to be both a place of worship and a grand mausoleum for the English monarchy. Over the centuries, the building was expanded, most notably with the addition of the exquisite Lady Chapel by Henry VII in the early 16th century, featuring its world-famous fan-vaulted ceiling. Throughout its thousand-year history, Westminster Abbey has remained a 'Royal Peculiar,' meaning it is under the direct jurisdiction of the Sovereign rather than a bishop. It has served as the stage for 16 royal weddings, including that of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, and serves as the final resting place for over 3,000 notable figures, including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and the Unknown Warrior.