* It is believed that there has been a place of worship on this site since the 900s AD.

 

* Since the coronation of William the Conqueror on Christmas Day in 1066, all but 2 monarchs have been crowned here.  (And those 2 monarchs that weren't crowned there were actually never crowned, so technically all royal coronations since 1066 have happened here!)

 

* Starting in the 20th century, a new tradition has come about:  Royal weddings are in the Abbey, and the Queen Mother started a tradition of laying a bridal bouquet at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.  (If you're curious, the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is the same idea as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, and its inside the main part of the Abbey.)

 

* The Abbey's formal name is The Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Westminster.  (But somehow "Westminster Abbey" just has a better ring to it... )

 

* Over 3,000 people have been buried or memorialized here.

 

Hint: It usually costs around £3-6 to get in, but in the true spirit of the cheap college student, there is another (fully legal!) way to get in...  You don't have to pay to get into one of their services there, so I recommend going to Evensong.  Evensong is a shorter service, lasting around 45 minutes, that is mainly sung.  It happens weekdays (except Wednesday) at 5pm and weekends at 3pm, but I recommend getting there a little bit early to get a better seat.

 

 

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