Point of interest
Westminster Abbey
in London, United Kingdom
The Gothic coronation church of British monarchs for centuries, and burial place of many historic figures.
Where it is
Westminster Abbey stands in the Westminster district, right next to the Houses of Parliament and a short walk from Westminster Underground station.
Address: 20 Dean's Yard, SW1P 3PA City of Westminster
What it is
Inside lie countless kings, queens, statesmen, poets and scientists, including in the famous Poets' Corner. The abbey is both a working church and a visitor attraction; its vaulting, chapels and tombs tell the story of the nation.
History
The present Gothic church largely dates from a rebuilding begun under Henry III in 1245, on the site of an earlier monastic church. Since the coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066 it has been the coronation church of England's and Britain's monarchs, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.