Westminster Abbey: Uncover History, Art, and Music Events
Westminster Abbey, a spectacular World Heritage Site and living place of worship, offers a rich array of public events beyond its ceremonial duties, including talks, tours, concerts, and workshops accessible to all. These events allow visitors to gain fresh perspectives on its history and heritage, explore specific themes, and experience the Abbey in unique ways.
Highlights include diverse guided tours, such as those exploring the Abbey's origins as a medieval monastery, its role as a national memorial for over 3,000 notable figures, and special tours celebrating remarkable women or its historic green spaces. March features significant Commonwealth Day commemorations, including an inter-denominational service, a Commonwealth Festival Day on March 14 with live performances and art, and dedicated tours exploring Britain's relationship with the Commonwealth, visiting sites like the Samaria chamber and the Shrine.
Visitors can also experience Westminster Abbey after hours, such as on March 11, when The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries remain open late. This offers a serene atmosphere to explore the Abbey's greatest treasures from the 13th-century triforium, providing unique views of the empty Abbey below, complemented by special talks. The Abbey's extensive talk programme, featuring top historians and artists, takes place in locations like the Lady Chapel, covering topics from Stuart monarchs to English saints. Additionally, St Margaret's Church hosts affordable £5 lunchtime talks every second Wednesday, with March focusing on pilgrimage.
Music enthusiasts can enjoy hour-long lunchtime concerts at St Margaret's, with upcoming performances celebrating the piano on March 25 and an Easter concert on April 29. Evening concerts feature the Choir of Westminster Abbey and The English Concert, performing masterpieces like Bach's St Matthew Passion on March 31 and Handel's Alexander's Feast on June 16. The Abbey is committed to accessibility, offering family storytelling sessions, BSL tours, and Dementia-friendly garden visits, ensuring there's truly something for everyone to engage with its millennia of history and vibrant cultural offerings.
