Westminster Abbey

We booked a day tour through an app, Get Your Guide, which I've used a few times. I've always had good luck with it. Our bus tour didn't include any London sites, and there were a few we didn't want to miss. This particular walking tour checked off much of that list.

Westminster Abbey

There is a series of statues above the main entrance, dedicated to people who died for their beliefs from modern history. These include a man who stood up to Hitler, a teenager who was killed by her parents for converting to Christianity, and Martin Luther King.

We started with a couple hours at Westminster Abbey. The burial place of kings and queen, as well as scientists, writers and composers. We saw tombs for Elizabeth I, Charles Dickens, Issac Newton and Stephen Hawking. It's the place of royal weddings and coronations. It's a massive structure and an architectural wonder.

The difference between a gargoyle and a grotesque, is that a gargoyle has a spout for water. I know you will sleep better at night, knowing the difference!

Westminster Abbey is remarkable in it's inclusive nature. It's an Anglican cathedral, but the chandeliers were donated by Irish Catholic Waterford Crystal. Stephen Hawking made no secret of being an atheist, yet he is buried here.

Westminster Abbey has been changing and evolving since it was built in the 900s. None of the stain glass is original, which was destroyed by Cromwell. The destroyed windows were first replaced with clear glass. Over the centuries the clear has been replaced with stained glass. There are windows for soldiers from WWII, and a modern art window for Elizabeth II.

The phrase "robbing Peter to pay Paul" comes from here. The actual name of Westminster Abbey is the Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Westminster. Henry the Eighth took money from the Abbey to give to St. Paul's Cathedral.

The memorial above Sir Issac Newton's grave

I think my favorite part of the Abbey was the Knights Hall. Each Knight or Dame has a half-sheathed sword, representing their readiness serve the Crown. Their helmets are adorned with a symbol of their choosing; some are traditional, some are whimsical. One is a badger popping out of a well, because the family's name translates to badger's well!

A flag with their crest is flown above. When a knight or dame passes away, the helmet and flag are removed, but there is always a plaque at their spot with their crest.

The Canadian High Commissioner has his/her own seat in the Abbey

It is impossible to walk in Westminster Abbey without walking on graves. There are 3300 people buried here. The only one that no one ever walks on, is the Tomb of the Unnamed Soldier.

Buckingham Palace

Our next stop was Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard. We were lucky to see it, they only do it every other day, and not if it's raining.

This statue of Queen Victoria is open called the wedding cake, because of its tiers.

The road leading up to the palace is red, to resemble a red carpet.

I was surprised at how moving I found the ceremony. Experiencing these things in real life is completely different than seeing it on TV.

Trafalgar Square

Our day was broken up by lunch at Trafalgar Square. One side has the National Gallery, the other side has the Canadian High Commission (that's what we have instead of an embassy, because we're in the Commonwealth). It's not very Canadian to brag, but I think it's a pretty choice location!

After lunch we hopped on a boat and cruised up the Thames to the Tower of London. We did go under London Bridge, but it's been rebuilt so many times, it's a pretty basic, boring bridge now. There were some pretty great views from the river. The River Thames was at low tide. When I saw the exposed banks, it reminded me of the book, "The Lost Apothecary". If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it!