Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an Anglican church located in the City of Westminster, London, England. It has been the location of the coronations of 40 English and British monarchs, and a burial site for 18 English, Scottish, and British monarchs. At least 16 royal weddings have taken place at the abbey since 1100. The abbey became more closely associated with royalty from the second half of the 12th century, as kings increasingly used the nearby Palace of Westminster as the seat of their governments.
Westminster Abbey is a working church and there is never a charge to enter for worship. The services, including Evensong, which is popular with visitors, are free of charge. The abbey is a "Royal Peculiar," meaning it is under the jurisdiction of the monarch.
Some key features of Westminster Abbey include:
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Architecture: Westminster Abbey is an architectural masterpiece of the 13th to 16th centuries, with a long, rounded apse and chapels radiating from the ambulatory, which is typical of a French Gothic style.
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Museum: The Westminster Abbey Museum is located in the 11th-century vaulted undercroft beneath the former monks dormitory. It houses a collection of treasures, including effigies, paintings, and other artifacts.
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Governance: Westminster Abbey is a collegiate church governed by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, as established by a royal charter of Elizabeth I dated 21 May 1560.
Westminster Abbey is famous for hosting the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Katherine Middleton in 2011, and for the coronations of many British monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and King Charles III in 2023. It is also known for being the burial site of notable people throughout British history, including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Stephen Hawking.
