Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church

The Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, including Saint Margaret’s Church, form a UNESCO ensemble on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, recognised for their outstanding architectural, historical and ceremonial significance. The site combines the national seat of parliament with one of the United Kingdom’s principal medieval churches.

Tourists and scholars come to see the medieval and Gothic architecture, sculptural detail and extensive collections of monuments and tombs in Westminster Abbey, including royal burial sites and the Coronation Chair. Inside the Palace of Westminster the emphasis is on the exterior Gothic Revival architecture and the riverfront view; guided access to the parliamentary chambers is available when Parliament is not sitting. Saint Margaret’s Church forms part of the ensemble and is visited for its historical association with parliamentary life and its medieval fabric.

Westminster Abbey developed as a monastic church with major Gothic rebuilding begun in the 13th century; it has served as the coronation church and royal necropolis for almost a millennium. The Palace of Westminster grew from a medieval royal residence into the seat of Parliament and was extensively rebuilt in the mid-19th century after a fire in 1834, producing the present Gothic Revival composition.

The complex sits at Westminster on the Thames in central London, immediately adjacent to Westminster Bridge and opposite the South Bank. It lies within the City of Westminster, close to major transport hubs including Westminster and St James’s Park Underground stations.

• Coronations and tombs: Westminster Abbey is the traditional coronation church of English and later British monarchs since 1066 and contains numerous royal tombs and memorials.
• 19th-century rebuilding: The Palace of Westminster was largely rebuilt in the Gothic Revival style after the 1834 fire; the Elizabeth Tower housing the Great Bell dates to the 1850s and is a prominent landmark.

What to See #

• Westminster Abbey: A large medieval abbey church whose current Gothic structure was begun in the 13th century under Henry III; it is the traditional site for English and later British coronations and contains numerous royal tombs and chapels.
• Palace of Westminster: The seat of the UK Parliament, rebuilt after the 1834 fire to designs by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin; the complex includes the two parliamentary chambers and the clock tower commonly called Elizabeth Tower, completed in the mid-19th century.
• Saint Margaret's Church: A parish church within the Westminster ensemble, historically associated with the House of Commons and dating in its present form largely to the medieval period.