London, England - Westminster Abbey Part 1 - August 2024

During my quick one-day trip to London from Paris a few years ago, I wanted badly to visit Westminster Abbey. From the history to the attachment to coronations/weddings/funerals to Poet's Corner, I wanted to see it all. As such, I'd booked tickets to go first thing in the morning on our first full day. I'd gotten an inexpensive hotel (Premier Inn) in the City of Westminster, fairly equidistant between Buckingham Palace, Churchill's War Rooms, and the area with Westminster Abbey and Palace which holds the Houses of Parliament. It was an easy jaunt for us to visit.

I took a ton of photos, which drove A a little crazy. However, it was incredible, and I couldn't help myself - which is why there will be more than one post about Westminster Abbey. I think I've mentioned four or five times now how much I love cathedrals and churches, so this is sort of like the Vatican - a cathedral in its own echelon.

I would strongly recommend either a private tour, or using the audio tour as we did. It helped a ton to be able to tell what crypts you are seeing, what happens where, etc. I also recommend a ticket first thing in the morning, if you're an early bird, as it is easier to get around without a large crowd then.

I didn't bring a good wide-angle lens, but this is still a pretty great view.

The view is okay, if you like that sort of thing.

You sort of lose something in Westminster if you go landscape. It's a portrait type of place.

See? This side hall begs for portrait.

I love the light dappling on this statue. I wish a little more had hit the lying figure's face; maybe I can work on that some in Lightroom.

I love me a good sun flair; when you make it shine through a crazy chandelier, thought? Chef's kiss.

My candle for Maddie at Westminster Abbey. A also lit one for my grandmother.

I tried a clever angle here, shooting through the lattice work panel in front of our seats. It mostly didn't work, but I'm not mad at it, either. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

I wish I'd gotten a shot a little ways back from this. This is the altar where coronations happen, where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married, among a billion other events. The big rosette window and arched ceiling from the photos above is over and behind it to the right, if that helps you sort of figure out the space.

This priest gave a prayer as we were wandering through the main naves and transepts. It was pretty humbling.

This is the area where special officials sit. At each of those seats, there is a name plaque for whichever lord/lady/government official sits there. This is where the queen's funeral was held - it's shown several times in The Crown at various points. I love the floor with the red, it's got a little bit of an Alice in Wonderland vibe in the middle of a gothic cathedral.

I don't know if you can see people in that window in the middle directly behind the altar, but we got special tickets to go into the... attic, I guess? I don't know what you call the attic of an abbey. Anyway, you can buy tickets in and see the view from above.