Westminster Cathedral

The vast Westminster Cathedral is the symbolic home of Catholicism in England and Wales. Built at the turn of the 20th century, this neo-Byzantine masterpiece is one of the largest Catholic churches in England. See the church’s mesmerizing tower at night, when it radiates gold light.

Learn about the history of the church, which architect John Francis Bentley designed in the late 19th century. The cathedral was constructed over a period of 8 years from 1895. Before this structure was built, the site upon which it stands held a market, a fairground and a prison.

Enter through the main portal into an enormous nave with marble columns supporting the galleries and ornate fixtures decorating the walls. Marble is used artistically throughout the church, including for the high altar. Among the highlights of the cathedral is the baldachin, an elaborate canopy-like structure found above the altar.

Admire impressive mosaics portraying the conversion of England to Christianity in the chapel of St. Gregory and St. Augustine. Elsewhere in the cathedral, other mosaics depict biblical scenes and figures such as Abel, Abraham and St. Patrick. Various artists worked on these, following the death of the cathedral’s architect. New mosaics are continually being added.

Climb to the tower’s viewing gallery, which is at a height of 210 feet (64 meters). Capture photos of the excellent vistas of London

Peruse the intriguing ecclesiastical objects for sale in the shop inside the cathedral. Choose from items including books, jewelry and handicrafts.

The tower opens to visitors daily from morning until late afternoon. To ascend it, pay a small fee; families can avail of a discounted price.

Westminster Cathedral is a 10-minute walk south from Buckingham Palace in central London. To get here, ride the London Underground to Victoria station. Find entertainment venues, such as the St. James Theatre, the Victoria Palace Theatre and the Apollo Victoria Theatre, dotted around this area.