Westminster Abbey
LightNews LightNews
banner
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
Westminster Abbey
@westminsterabbey.bsky.social
1.2K followers 98 following 280 posts
A royal church offering daily services for all and a World Heritage Site with over a thousand years of history.
Posts Replies Media Videos
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
Afternoon sunlight streams into the Abbey through The Queen's Window, designed by David Hockney and installed in 2018 to celebrate the reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II. The vividly coloured country scene reflects The Queen's deep affection for the countryside.

#Museum30 #Rainbow
A large stained glass window in Westminster Abbey, in shades of blue, green, red and yellow Evening sunlight streaming in through a large stained glass window in Westminster Abbey Evening sunlight streaming in through a stained glass window and bathing the north transept of Westminster Abbey in coloured light
November 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
'Praising what is lost makes the remembrance dear'
- All's Well that Ends Well (V, 3)

Every November since 1928 veterans have gathered at the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey to honour friends who have fallen in the service of their country.

#ShakespeareSunday #LoveAndLoss
A Chelsea Pensioner, wearing a scarlet tunic and black hat, pauses to look at tributes to fallen service personnel at the Westminster Abbey Field of Remembrance
November 9, 2025 at 12:36 PM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
'At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.'

#RemembranceSunday #Remembrance2025 #LestWeForget
A photograph of the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. The black marble gravestone is surrounded by a border of faux red poppies, and people have left Remembrance poppies on the grave in tribute to fallen service personnel.
November 9, 2025 at 10:59 AM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
We're holding our annual #RemembranceSunday service in the Abbey this morning, as we pray for peace and remember lives lost in conflict.

We'll be steaming the service from 10:50am (GMT), and you can watch live or on demand: www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music/watch-services?id=15812
The High Altar in Westminster Abbey dressed in funeral array
November 9, 2025 at 8:29 AM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
This beautiful seal bag, embroidered with the Royal Arms of England, was made in 1280 to protect the wax seal attached to a charter from the reign of Edward I. It's a fine example of 'opus anglicanum' - highly-prized English embroideries with gold and silver thread.

#Museum30 #Stitch
A small woolen red and green pouch, with three gold embroidered lions, attached to a medieval manuscript
November 8, 2025 at 2:45 PM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
Buried among the kings: Discover the remarkable story of the Unknown Warrior and how, in 1920, his body was brought from the battlefields of northern France to be buried in the Abbey:
https://www.westminster-abbey.org/history/explore-our-history/buried-among-the-kings

#Remembrance #LestWeForget
The Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey. The black marble gravestone is surrounded by a border of red poppies and is inscribed with the words: Beneath this stone rests the body of a British Warrior unknown by name or rank, brought from France to lie among the most illustrious of the land and buried here on Armistice Day, 11 Nov 1920, in the presence of His Majesty King George V, his Ministers of State, the Chiefs of his forces and a vast concourse of the nation Thus are commemorated the many multitudes who during the Great War of 1914-1918 gave the most that man can give Life itself For God, for King and country, for loved ones home and Empire, for the sacred cause of justice and the freedom of the world They buried him among the kings because he had done good toward God and toward His house
November 8, 2025 at 12:34 PM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
Astronomer Edmond Halley was born #onthisday in 1656.

He was the first to calculate the orbit of the comet which was later named after him. His memorial in the Abbey's cloisters is made from gilded slate and is in the form of a stylised comet.
A memorial to Edmon Halley on the wall of the cloisters of Westminster Abbey. The memorial is made of gilded slate and is in the shape of a stylised comet. It is inscribed with the words: Edmond Halley 1656 - 1742
November 8, 2025 at 9:37 AM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
Everyone is welcome in the Abbey at 5pm on Sunday for a recital by organist James Hicks. He'll be playing music by Northern European composers including Süda, Saari, Sixten, Karlsen and Haapalainen.

Find out more: www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music/services-times/organ-recitals
A photograph of organ pipes, looking up towards the vaulted ceiling of the nave of Westminster Abbey
November 7, 2025 at 3:23 PM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
When the then Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip here in the Abbey in 1947, the country was in the grip of post-war austerity. In a sign of the straitened times, the kneelers used by the bride and groom were made from orange boxes covered with rose damask.

#Museum30 #Box
A black and white photograph of the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in Westminster Abbey. The bride and groom stand at the High Altar, their backs to the camera, and are surrounded by clergy and members of the congregation. Church kneelers, upholstered in pink silk, in front of the High Altar of Westminster Abbey
November 7, 2025 at 12:31 PM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
Families! As we approach #RemembranceSunday, discover the remarkable story of the Grave of the Unknown Warrior and make your own poppy in our #AbbeyAtHome #Remembrance video activities:
www.westminster-abbey.org/learning/families/at-home/remembrance
Families gathered around the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey as they listen to a tour guide The Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey, bordered with red remembrance poppies
November 5, 2025 at 4:09 PM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
We love welcoming the visitors who come from around the world to explore the Abbey, and sharing the story of this remarkable building with them.

You can find out more about our thousand years of history and worship at: www.westminster-abbey.org/history

#Museum30 #Sharing
Two guides wearing blue gowns chatting to a group of visitors in Westminster Abbey
November 5, 2025 at 2:05 PM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
Everyone is welcome to join us in worship as we stream Evensong live from the Abbey at 5pm (GMT) today.

The service will be sung by the St Margaret's Choristers and Consort and you can watch live or on demand at: www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music/watch-services
A view through the quire stalls in Westminster Abbey towards the High Altar. Members of the congregation are standing in the stalls.
November 5, 2025 at 8:57 AM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
The Coronation Chair is one of the most precious and famous pieces of furniture in the world. Made of oak, it was originally decorated with birds, animals and foliage on a gilt background. The surviving detail was recorded in these sketches by Orlando Jewitt in 1868.

#Museum30 #Sketchbook
The Coronation Chair, standing under a red canopy in a chapel in Westminster Abbey A sketch of the Coronation Chair, alongside two detailed sketches of some of the decoration which originally adorned it A close-up photograph of a bird and foliage painted in gold leaf on the oak Coronation Chair
November 4, 2025 at 4:03 PM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
Look up at the ceiling in the 16th-century Islip Chapel, and you'll see carvings of an eye and a slip (or branch). This is a pun on the name of Abbot John Islip, who was Abbot of Westminster from 1500 until his death in 1532. The chapel is dedicated to his memory.
#Museum30 #Eyes
A detailed stone relief depicting a large eye and a hand set against a background of intricate leaves and branches. The eye appears to be carved into one leaf, and the hand holds a branch tightly.
November 3, 2025 at 11:43 AM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
'The souls of righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them'

We're marking #AllSoulsDay at our services today.

Everyone is welcome to join us for Evensong at 5pm (GMT), either in the Abbey or via our livestream:www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music/watch-services
A gold Christian cross on the High Altar in Westminster Abbey, which is dressed in funeral array
November 3, 2025 at 9:29 AM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
Dated 1530 and signed by Lady Margaret Beaufort, this document grants Abbot John Islip and the Abbey of Westminster the manor of Skreyng and other lands held by her in Lincolnshire.

Lady Margaret had a close association with the Abbey and is buried in the Lady Chapel.

#Museum30 #Sign
Close-up of an old manuscript with handwritten Latin text and signed by Lady Margaret Beaufort. The script is ornate, featuring elaborate, swirling letters, with variations in size and alignment. The paper shows signs of aging, with a slightly uneven surface and a faded, textured appearance.
November 2, 2025 at 3:18 PM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
'Thy true affection'

Richard II married Anne of Bohemia in the Abbey in 1382. He was devoted to her and was so grief-stricken by her death in 1394 that he demolished the palace where she died.

This is the tomb where they lie buried in the Abbey, their effigies holding hands.

#ShakespeareSunday
The gilt tomb effigies of Anne of Bohemia and Richard II
November 2, 2025 at 12:27 PM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
Today is the start of #Museum30. Follow us throughout November for pictures and a glimpse behind the scenes here at the Abbey - a World Heritage Site and royal church offering daily services for all.

#Introduction
An aerial photograph of Westminster Abbey, with the Houses of Parliament visible in the background
November 1, 2025 at 12:39 PM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
'For all the saints who from their labours rest'

We're celebrating #AllSaintsDay at our services in the Abbey today. Everyone is welcome to join us for Evensong at 5pm (GMT), either in person or via our livestream.

Find out more: www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music/watch-services
An illustration from an illuminated medieval manuscript showing a seated Christ with the figures of saints on either side
November 1, 2025 at 10:29 AM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
The annual Field of Remembrance in the Abbey grounds pays tribute to all those lost serving in the Armed Forces.

Find out more about the history of the Field and how we remember loved ones at the Abbey in this short film for families ⤵️

#Remembrance #LestWeForget
October 31, 2025 at 3:42 PM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
Westminster Abbey is at the heart of London and is an essential part of any visit to the capital.

On #WorldCitiesDay, take a look at some of the highlights that you can enjoy when you visit us...
October 31, 2025 at 11:41 AM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
Tickets are on sale now for a seasonal performance of Handel's Messiah in here the Abbey on Tuesday 25 November, featuring the Abbey Choir, musicians from the Academy of Ancient Music and soprano Sophie Bevan.

To find out more and to book: www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-events...
A statue of George Frideric Handel in Westminster Abbey, depicting the composer standing and holding a copy of the score for his oratorio, Messiah
October 30, 2025 at 4:48 PM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
Henry VII was crowned in the Abbey #onthisday in 1485.

This is the tomb where he lies buried with his wife, Elizabeth of York, in the Lady Chapel - built by Henry and described by 16th century historian John Leland as 'the wonder of the world'.
The tomb of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, with their gild effigies surrounded by a wrought iron grill, and with a stained glass window in the background
October 30, 2025 at 11:46 AM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
The Abbey organ is a magnificent five manual Harrison & Harrison instrument which was installed for the coronation of George VI in 1937.

You can hear the organ at our free weekly Sunday recitals, and you can find out more at: www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music/services-times/organ-recitals
A photograph of the organ of Westminster Abbey, with the vaulted ceiling of the nave above
October 29, 2025 at 3:49 PM
westminsterabbey.bsky.social
An autumn morning at Westminster Abbey 🍂
The west towers of Westminster Abbey on a sunny autumn morning Westminster Abbey seen from across Dean's Yard, with trees in the foreground Westminster Abbey's College Garden on a sunny autumn morning
October 27, 2025 at 11:10 AM