The Abbey

Westminster Abbey: Ten key facts

1. Around 1045-1065, Edward the Confessor built a church for the Benedictine monks in the Norman form of Romanesque. He intended it to be his burial place.
2. In 1745, top parts of the western towers were completed as designed by Sir Christopher Wren.
3. The bones of Edward the Confessor still lie in his Shrine behind the High Altar.
4. The ‘Westminster chimes’ are of the bells in the clocktower of the Houses of Parliament (or Palace of Westminster). The chimes are set out to music by Handel.
5. The number of persons buried in the Church and Cloisters is estimated to be approximately 3,300.
6. The Abbey's formal title is The Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster. The popular title ‘Westminster Abbey' continues to be used, even though there have been no monks here since the 16th century.
7. The Dean of Westminster must give his permission for all burials and monuments in the Church. Ashes only are permitted. People who have served the Abbey in an official capacity, such as a Dean, a Canon, Organist or Surveyor of the Fabric may be buried here.
8. Eminent persons of British nationality from various fields may be considered for burial at the Abbey. Laurence Olivier, actor, was buried here in 1991.
9. Thomas Parr lived for 152 years and 9 months through the reigns of ten monarchs and was buried in Westminster Abbey by order of King Charles I.
10. Money to maintain the fabric and deal with the day-to-day running of Westminster Abbey is raised from entry fees, donations and investments. The Abbey receives about one million paying visitors per year and derives about 80 per cent of its funds in this way. The Abbey receives no funds from the State or from the Church of England.