Edward the confessor started building a church for the Benedictine monks in 1045, which went on until 1065. It is said there was another church before it and it was replaced with this, which took the Norman form of Romanesque.

Between 1245 and 1272 Henry III started taking apart the Norman church to rebuild it in the style we see it today. Some parts were completed during Henry III's time and the remaining sections produced a fusion between the Norman form and the Gothic form. The remaining sections were built after long intervals with the final section being the top parts of the western tower and the year was 1745. So The Westminster Abbey was completed.

The abbey is also famous for the eminent figures that have been buried here and the coronations of many kings and queens of which William "the conqueror" was the first and the year was 1066. Tours are available and they last about 90 minutes, which can be very helpful.

Opening Times

Monday - Friday : 9.30am - 3.45pm*
Wednesday : 9.30am - 7.00pm
Saturday : 9.30am - 1.45pm
Sunday : Worship Only

*For the latest closure times click here