Westminster Abbey, London (must see)

Westminster Abbey—the Gothic heavyweight champion of British heritage, parked squarely in the City of Westminster. Back in the day, Westminster wasn’t even part of London proper. It was its own thing.

The roots of this holy site stretch all the way back to the late 10th century. But it wasn’t until King Edward the Confessor decided to go full Romanesque here, in the 11th century, that things got serious. He turned the abbey into one of Europe’s top-tier religious mega-structures. Edward didn’t live to see it fully materialize, though, but history appreciates his effort.

In 1245, Henry III kicked off construction of the Gothic version we see today. He also commissioned the fancy Cosmati pavement near the High Altar—because kings of all people do appreciate custom flooring. Most of what we admire here now was wrapped up under Richard II, and in 1519, Henry VII added a gorgeous chapel to the Virgin Mary for good measure. As for the iconic west towers, Early Gothic Revival, they were built between 1722 and 1745.

But Westminster Abbey is not just a church. No. It’s the spiritual VIP lounge of the UK. Monarchs have been crowned here since 1066, starting with William the Conqueror. It’s also the final resting place for legends: Queen Elizabeth I, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Geoffrey Chaucer, Rudyard Kipling, Laurence Olivier… Basically, if you’ve made Britain proud, there’s a plot here waiting for you.

And don’t forget the emotional landmarks: Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997, and the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011. Yes, this place has seen more royal drama than a season of The Crown.

If you consider visiting, remember: Lines form year-round, so book online to skip the queue like a pro. But don’t plan your Instagram reel just yet—no photography inside is allowed. It’s all eyes and memory...

As a bonus round, make a literary pilgrimage to Poet’s Corner and pay respects to Mr. Charles Dickens himself. Per his modest request, his gravestone simply reads:

CHARLES DICKENS
BORN 7th FEBRUARY 1812
DIED 9th JUNE 1870

Dickens died in Kent, but the public insisted—and The Times newspaper rallied behind the cause—that only Westminster would do as his final resting place. The funeral was private. The legacy—immortal.

So, whether it’s the soaring arches, the centuries of coronations, or the sheer weight of brilliance buried beneath your feet, Westminster Abbey is London in its architectural form—solemn, storied, and just a touch dramatic.