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Westminster Abbey tombs & burials | Historical figures & monuments

From kings crowned in splendor to writers remembered for their words, Westminster Abbey tombs offer a journey through national memory. Here, history rests in stone, preserving the lives and legacies of Britain’s most remarkable figures for generations to reflect upon.

Poets’ Corner

This corner of Westminster Abbey is a literary landmark where writers, playwrights, and poets are buried or commemorated, celebrating Britain’s cultural history across centuries of art and imagination.

  • Geoffrey Chaucer: Buried in 1400, Geoffrey Chaucer authored The Canterbury Tales and became the first writer interred here, establishing Poets’ Corner’s lasting tradition.
  • William Shakespeare: Shakespeare’s 1740 memorial at Westminster Abbey commemorates his enduring influence on drama and poetry, even though his actual burial lies in Stratford-upon-Avon.
  • Charles Dickens: Interred in 1870, Charles Dickens rests here despite requesting modesty, symbolizing national reverence for his novels that captured Victorian society’s struggles.
  • Alfred, Lord Tennyson: Buried in 1892, Alfred Tennyson served as Victorian poet laureate, remembered for works like In Memoriam that voiced collective grief and resilience.
  • Rudyard Kipling: Laid to rest in 1936, Rudyard Kipling is honored for contributions to English literature through works like The Jungle Book and memorable poetry.

​Learn more

Scientists, statesmen, and other notables

Sir Isaac Newton

Buried in 1727, Newton’s monument celebrates his groundbreaking work in mathematics, physics, and astronomy. His presence at Westminster highlights Britain’s recognition of science as a force shaping the modern world and human understanding of nature.

Charles Darwin 

Interred here in 1882, Darwin’s tomb lies near Newton’s, a symbolic pairing of two revolutionary thinkers. His theory of evolution by natural selection redefined biology and provoked debates still resonating in science, religion, and culture today.

Stephen Hawking

Laid to rest in 2018, Stephen Hawking’s ashes were interred near Newton and Darwin. His work on black holes and cosmology made him one of the most influential scientific voices of the modern age.

George Frideric Handel

Although German-born, Handel became one of Britain’s greatest composers. Buried here in 1759, his monument celebrates contributions to sacred and ceremonial music, including Messiah, which still echoes within the Abbey where he often performed.

Neville Chamberlain

Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, who died in 1940, was buried in Westminster during World War II. His tomb reflects his controversial legacy, remembered for appeasement policies but also for guiding Britain through its early wartime trials.

David Livingstone

Scottish explorer David Livingstone, interred in 1874, is remembered for mapping central Africa and campaigning against slavery. His burial at Westminster highlights exploration and humanitarianism as celebrated aspects of British national identity.

​Westminster Abbey history

Tomb architecture and symbolism

  • Medieval Effigies: Early tombs often show kings and queens carved lying flat, wearing crowns or armor. These stone figures helped people remember exactly how their monarchs looked in life.
  • Gothic Splendor: Under Henry III, tombs were built with soaring canopies, painted decoration, and golden detail. They turned graves into works of art that dazzled worshippers entering the Abbey.
  • Carved Symbols: Many monuments feature shields, angels, or family emblems. These carvings told visitors who the person was, what they achieved, and which family or dynasty they belonged to.
  • Renaissance detailing: By the 16th century, tombs showed lifelike portraits with flowing robes and realistic faces. These designs reflected a new interest in individuality and personal legacy within memorial art.
  • Victorian monuments: Later burials added marble statues and elaborate inscriptions. These Victorian additions give the Abbey a mix of styles, showing how tastes in honoring the dead changed over time.

Visitor tips

  • Look behind the high altar: The shrine of Edward the Confessor is partly hidden. Walk carefully around the high altar to spot one of the Abbey’s oldest and holiest tombs.
  • Check floor inscriptions: Many burials are beneath your feet, not marked by grand monuments. Keep an eye on stone slabs in the floor to catch overlooked graves.
  • Poets’ Corner plaques: Not every writer has a full tomb. Some, like Shakespeare, have only memorial plaques. Reading inscriptions carefully reveals fascinating details about their literary legacy.
  • Bring binoculars: Some monuments are placed high along the walls, especially later royal tombs. A small pair of binoculars makes inscriptions and carvings easier to admire.
  • Visit the Cloisters: Beyond the main church, the cloisters hold tombs of monks and early figures. It is quieter here and gives perspective on the Abbey’s origins.
  • Look for family links: Some tombs group dynasties together, like Elizabeth I and Mary I. Understanding who lies near whom makes the Abbey’s story feel more connected.
  • Check Abbey maps: The Abbey sells detailed maps marking tomb locations. Carrying one ensures you don’t miss tucked-away memorials that are easy to walk past.

Frequently Asked Questions about Westminster Abbey tombs and burials

How many people are buried in Westminster Abbey?

Over 3,300 individuals rest here, including monarchs, poets, scientists, and statesmen, making it one of the world’s most significant burial sites.

Are new burials still allowed in Westminster Abbey?

Yes, but very rarely. The Abbey reserves burials for exceptional figures of national importance, such as Stephen Hawking in 2018.

Do all monarchs of England lie in Westminster Abbey?

No, many are buried elsewhere, like Windsor Castle or St. George’s Chapel. Westminster houses some but not all English sovereigns.

Are the tombs open for public viewing?

Yes, visitors can walk around most monuments. However, certain areas, like Edward the Confessor’s shrine, have restricted close access.

What is the most visited tomb inside the Abbey?

Elizabeth I’s tomb draws the most visitors, not only for her reign’s importance but also because it shares space with Mary I.

How do historians verify who is buried beneath old slabs?

Archaeological surveys, historical records, and inscriptions confirm identities. In some cases, research has revealed forgotten or inaccurately marked graves beneath the floor.

Are children allowed to visit all burial areas?

Yes, but some sections like the shrine of Edward the Confessor require supervision, as access routes are narrow and sometimes crowded.

Can photography be taken of the tombs?

Photography is permitted in most parts of Westminster Abbey, including near tombs, but it is restricted during services and within designated sacred areas.

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