Westminster Cathedral, London 
The Byzantine-style brick exterior of Westminster Cathedral in London.
Photo licensed under GFDL.
Closer look at the facade and tower of Westminster Cathedral.
The atmospheric interior, looking east to the altar.
Side aisle, with Stations of the Cross.
Closer look at Station V, sculpted by Eric Gill.
Chapel of St George and the English Martyrs, with mosaics.
View of much more modern buildings across the cathedral plaza.
Westminster Cathedral in London - not to be confused with the more famous Westminster Abbey nearby - is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church in Britain. Its full formal name is the Cathedral Church of Westminster.
History
The site on which the cathedral stands originally belonged to the Benedictine monks who founded Westminster Abbey. Since then, it has been variously used as a market, a garden, a waste dump, and a prison. The property was acquired by the Catholic Church in 1884.
The foundation stone of Westminster Cathedral was laid in 1895; the majority of the building was completed by 1903. The cathedral was designed in an Early Christian Byzantine style by Victorian architect John Francis Bentley.
What to See
Many visitors to London don't even know this cathedral exists unless they stumble upon it on their way to Wesminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. Yet for those who walk by, Westminster Cathedral is difficult to miss - towering over an open piazza, it is a striking building of red brick and stone in a Byzantine design, quite different from Britain's native cathedrals.
The architecture is just as lovely and unique inside, but the main attraction of Westminster Cathedral for many Londoners (and visitors) is its quiet, prayerful atmosphere away from the noise and bustle of the surrounding city.
The interior of the cathedral remains incomplete, but this is not obvious to the untrained eye. Eight marble columns support a huge canopy over the high altar, while Byzantine mosaics cover the chapels and the vaulting of the sanctuary. The friezes of the fourteen Stations of the Cross, by the sculptor Eric Gill, are world-renowned.
An elevator to the top of the 82m (269-ft.) bell tower rewards visitors with sweeping views that take in Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul's Cathedral.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Westminster Cathedral |
| Location: | London, England |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Category: | Cathedrals |
| Architecture: | Neo-Byzantine |
| Date: | 1903 |
| Architect: | John Francis Bentley |
| Status: | active |
| Photo gallery: | Westminster Cathedral Photo Gallery |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | Ashley Place, London, SW1 |
| Coordinates: | 51.496100° N, 0.139783° W (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Phone: | +44 (020) 7798-9055 |
| Website: | www.westminstercathedral.org.uk |
| Public transport: | Tube: Victoria |
| Opening hours: | Tower: May-Nov daily 9am-12:30pm and 1-5pm; Dec-Apr Thurs-Sun 9am-5pm |
| Cost: | Cathedral free. Audio tours £2.50. Tower £3. |
| Services: | Mon-Fri 7am-7pm; Sat 8am-6pm; Sun 8am-7pm |
| Facilities: | Cafe serving light snacks and soft drinks (9am-5pm); book shop (9:30am-5:15pm); toilets |
| Accessibility: | Handicapped accessible, including toilets. Sign language provided at many liturgies. |
Travel Resources
- London Map - our detailed interactive map of London, plus hand-picked links to more
- London Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- London Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in London
- London Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
- London Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Westminster Cathedral. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our London Map.
Article Sources
- Personal visit (July 3, 2006).
- Westminster Cathedral - official website
- Westminster Cathedral - Frommer's England
Last updated on March 6, 2010.
