Westminster

My comprehensive plan for London took us to many of the major tourist spot in a very efficient, concise way. For the most part it worked. After leaving the hostel we were headed to Westminster Abbey. When I mapped things out I accidentally sent us to Westminster Cathedral. This detour was on the way to Westminster Abbey and ended up being a really neat place to see.

Westminster Cathedral in London, is the mother church of the Roman Catholic community in England and Wales and the Metropolitan Church and Cathedral of the Archbishop of Westminster. It is the largest Roman Catholic church in England and Wales. The architecture is more of the Byzantine style of the eastern Roman Empire than the familiar Gothic of the native cathedrals.

Here is Westminster Cathedral.

Across the plaza was this modern office building. Part of what I love about London is finding the mixture eras and styles so close together. After stopping by the Cathedral, we continued on to the Abbey. Along the way I saw this cool building. Love all the flowers. At this point I was just so excited to be back in London!!!! Finally (after a 10-15 minute walk from the hostel) we were at Westminster Abbey.

The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to popularly and informally as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in Westminster, London, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English, later British and later still (and currently) monarchs of the Commonwealth Realms. For many it is best know for holding the funeral of Princess Diana.

Shannon in front of Westminster.

Me with Westminster in the background. On my previous visit to London I spent a good portion of a day here and was very moved by the experience. Due to the limited time, we did not go in.

Here are some close up pictures of the architecture and decorative details. Next to Westminster Abbey is St. Margaret’s Church. More pictures of St. Margaret’s. Across the way is Westminster Methodist Hall (I know what you are thinking at this point – who knew that were this many churches named Westminster.)

Constructed approximately 100 years ago, Methodist Central Hall serves both as a Methodist Church and Conference Centre in the heart of London. This spectacular building and magnificent great hall was built from donations given by followers of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.

After all the Westminster’s, the next stop was Big Ben….