Westminster Abbey - and back to the Tower

 Today is my last day of my holiday and I wanted to do something else before returning to the office tomorrow. 

I decided to go to Westminster Abbey, as I don't think I've ever been inside before, not that I can remember anyway.

as I came out of Westminster tube station I took some shots of Big Ben which is now without it's scaffolding following the extensive repairs 

you may be able to see the time is about 10.10

London Eye from Westminster Bridge

I walked a little way along Westminster Bridge first

before doubling back and heading for the Abbey

there was a fair queue, but as I joined it, it was moving quite quickly 

took some pictures of the architecture on the doorway

as I waited to collect my audio guide (I decided I needed one today) I stated photographing!

the Nave

I do love Gothic architecture!

I am afraid I am not going to try and label every photo,the guide book I bought isn't detailed enough!

the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in front of the Great West Door (this is the one they use for ceremonial events, when the Royal Family attend 

the High Altar

the audio guide then takes you into the Quire, where the choristors sit

the High Altar, with the Cosmati pavement, where the actual coronations take place.

it was laid in the 13th century

blogger has reversed again...

behind the altar,

the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor, and tomb of Edward 1

more reversing...

the audio guide talks you through the various shrines and burial sites of kings and queens 

Elizabeth I and her sister Mary, daughters of Henry VIII buried together

the Lady Chapel of Henry VII

RAF Chapel

heraldic emblems on the seats in the Lady Chapel

Mary Queen of Scots

when they run out of room for tombs, the Kings and queens just get stones in the floor

we then go into Poet's Corner

in a corner of Poets Corner is a doorway up to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries - I opted to pay extra to go up - more steps -  but only 108 this time

to look round - strictly no photography up there though

but on the way up you get to see some views of the outside of the Abby you wouldn't normally

a piece of modern stained glass in the doorway in to the galleries

in the galleries provide a fabulous view down to the Abbey below - such a shame you can't photograph it!

I picked up a leaflet and hopefully you can see the plan of where it is situated in the Abbey

luckily there  is a lift down you can use

back downstairs 

walking round the cloisters glimpses of outside space

the Chapter House dating from about 1246 where the monks used to meet to pray   (restored in 1866-1872)

wall paintings

there are some fabulous windows

some are more modern, the glass replacing bomb damaged glass from the war

the cloisters lead you to a small garden - dating 900 years  where the monks used to grow herbs for medicine and dyeing

you get some good views

following the signs back to the Nave and the exit,

through more cloisters (full of school parties eating lunch)

hence the higher viewpoint

looking through the railings round the cloisters

doorways

plan of the Abbey on the wall

and back in the Nave of the Abbey 

mustn't miss the Coronation Chair - behind glass so forgive the reflections

a final look down the Nave

Churchill  

I couldn't remember if I'd photographed this on my way in

then it was outside

and after I'd been into the shop

time for some exterior photos of the West Towers/door

close ups of the exterior

then walked back round past the entrance

it was as I took the close up of the exterior of the rose window I realised I hadn't taken close ups inside!  ah well, too late now

you can see how long I was inside, Big Ben has moved on a bit 

it was also much sunnier and the restored clockfaces look fantastic now

tourists everywhere

this is the exterior of the Lady Chapel

part of the Palace of Westminster

top of the clock tower

houses of Parliament

then I went back to the tube station

and went a few stops the other way up the line....

walked along the viewing path looking over Superbloom

where some information boards give you some details 

I hadn't come for this though, 

but for this - 

in the Chapel at the Tower, a flower festival 

celebrating the Platinum Jubilee

this one was obviously based on Superbloom, with the meandering path of wildflowers

It was a treat to be able to take photographs in the chapel as when you come in as part of the Yeoman tours, you are not allowed to

so I did sneak a picture of part of the chapel too (shh!) 

I really didn't stay long at all

on my way back up tower Hill to the tube, I saw a series of murals - the Burberry art wall

(Burberry are the lead sponsors of Superbloom )

I managed to get most of them without visitors in the way

this was the only one I had to crop as there were people sitting on benches in front of part of it

so that is it for my week off!  

thanks again for looking - if you've stuck with every day well done - I bet my feet ache more than yours do!  

Back to work tomorrow - but it's nearly Saturday!!