As I climbed the steps out of the Westminster tube station, a massive structure rose so far into the sky I couldn't even see the top. Craning my neck, it took me a moment to realize I was standing at the foot of Big Ben tower and the Houses of Parliament.
When I looked up, this was all I could see, only you can imagine how much more enormous it is when you're right there. I was traveling solo today, out for an afternoon by myself at Westminster Abbey. Before going in however, I walked around Parliament and got a few shots of the area.
It really is a truly grand building. It is guarded by heavily-armed policemen with their funny hats and serious-looking guns, scrutinizing you suspiciously as you walk by. I was tempted to see if I could go in, but it was a little intimidating and I was more intent on using my time in Westminster Abbey.
The Abbey, too, holds the same grandeur of its neighboring buildings but unfortunately photography wasn't allowed inside. As a building, its interior wasn't all that different from other churches and cathedrals I've visited; it had the same Gothic architecture, sweeping ceilings, intricate decor, and what seemed like hundreds of tombs, memorials, and plaques commemorating historical figures.
It was crowded, as would be expected, but nonetheless gorgeous. I explored every corner of the place and found the Shrine to Edward the Confessor; Henry VII's Lady Chapel; the tombs of Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Mary I and Mary Queen of Scots; and the tomb of Geoffrey Chaucer. At this last grave, there was a tourist idly resting on Chaucer's tomb -- I stared at him for an awkwardly long time until he realize he was leaning on a coffin and got out of the way!
I snapped a couple pictures outside in the Cloisters, and Chapel and College Gardens, as there were far fewer people around and no robed church officials to shoo me and my camera away.
My favorite part of Westminster Abbey was actually a relatively small wing known as the Poet's Corner. It was laden with dozens of graves and memorials to famous writers, including Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Lord Byron, Alfred Lord Tennyson, William Wordsworth, John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, the Bronte sisters, and even the composer G.F. Handel.
My two disappointments were that I wasn't able to find the grave of William Wilberforce, and I didn't realize until I got back home that Charles Darwin was also buried in the Abbey! I guess I can't complain though, considering I'm living on the same street where Darwin used to live.
Well, I explored the whole Abbey in about an hour or so. All things considered, it was a little overpriced for what it was, but I'm glad I saw it and once again, it was a lovely trip out into the city on my own.
No comments:
Post a Comment