March at Westminster Abbey
We hope you are keeping well!
This year, March marks the end of Lent, and the celebration of Holy Week and Easter.
This is a most special and spiritual time and all are welcome to attend any of the Holy Week and Easter services, and all the exciting events at Westminster Abbey.
Once again we prepare to join people from all over the world in celebration with our annual Commonwealth Day service.
Read on to find out what’s happening in March.
Fraternité Tour: Sororite!
Location: The Abbey
Date: See below
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Tickets: £10.00
Join us this Women’s History Month to explore the stories of some of the remarkable women who are woven into English and French history.
Embark on a captivating tour of Westminster Abbey, where the ties between England and France come to life through the history of remarkable women.
Among the notable women highlighted, stand in the presence of Anne Boleyn, a key figure in Tudor history and French court connections. Explore the poignant resting place of Mary Queen of Scots, whose complex life wove together both realms. Pay homage to Catherine de Valois, the French princess turned English queen, and delve into the intellectual legacy of Émilie du Châtelet, a brilliant French mathematician and philosopher.
This tour takes you on a walk through the Abbey and makes a special stop, with exclusive access, at the Henry V chantry chapel.
Available dates
- Saturday 2nd March
- Tuesday 5th March
- Thursday 14th March
- Tuesday 19th March
- Saturday 23rd March
What you need to book for this event
- General admission to the Abbey
How to book
- Select your preferred date(s) and time(s) from the list above.
- You will be transferred to the Westminster Abbey ticket website. Select your chosen date and time (the time slot must be before or the same time as the tour time slot) and select your general admission tickets.
- You will then be prompted to book tickets for the Fraternité tour, if available.
If you would like to look around the rest of the Abbey during your visit then we recommend you do so before you take part in the tour. This is to allow you enough time to see as much as possible.
Additional information and restrictions
There is a maximum of 15 people per tour.
Children under the age of 15 will not be permitted on this tour, please see our family pages for information and events to explore this theme as a family.
BUY ABBEY AND SORORITE TOUR TICKETS HERE
Fraternité Talk: Restoration and Salvage
Location: Cheyneygates
Date: Thursday 7th March
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Tickets: £10.00
Join Alexandra Gajewski, Reviews Editor at the Burlington Magazine, to discover the impact of the fire at Notre-Dame on the medieval art and architecture, and the plans to restore it.
Notre-Dame’s restoration in Paris got off to a slow start after the cathedral’s roof was destroyed in 2019. Despite delays due to lead pollution, the 2020-21 lockdown, and safety measures, President Macron’s promise of reopening this year seems on track.
Join Dr Alexandra Gajewski, as she looks back on the last five years since she was given exclusive access to plans for the restoration of Notre Dame and wrote about them then in The Burlington Magazine. Her talk will look back on the last four years of restoration, thinking about what has been achieved (and what has not) and concluding with an outlook on the future of this famous building.
Dr. Gajewski will later be joined by Vanessa Simeoni, Head Conservator, to speak about the affect the fire at Notre Dame had on salvage planning at Westminster Abbey.
Additional information
You are welcome to attend Evensong at 5pm before the talk.
Doors for the talk in Cheyneygates open at 6pm.
The talk starts at 6.30 and will last approximately 1 hour with an opportunity for questions.
FIND OUT MORE AND BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
Fraternité Organ Recital: French-inspired Music by Women Composers
Location: The Abbey
Date: Sunday 10th March
Time: 5:00pm – 5:30pm
Tickets: Free
Westminster Abbey Organ Scholar Carolyn Craig performs Florence Price’s dramatic First Sonata for Organ, inspired by Alexandre Guilmant, and music of 20th-century French woman composers.
About the programme
The programme opens with Jeanne Demessieux’sTe Deum. Demessieux was a formidable organist and composer, an acolyte of Marcel Dupré in her early years. Demessieux’s concert repertoire included the complete organ works of Bach from memory, and her mind-numbing technique is evident in her recordings, including the world-premiere recording of Franck’s complete organ works, and in her fiendish études, op. 5. Her Te Deum draws on a Gregorian chant setting of the familiar text: “We praise thee, O God, we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.”
The main element of the programme is Florence Price’s First Sonata for Organ. Price, the first African-American woman to have a piece performed by a major symphony orchestra, was an extremely accomplished keyboardist, earning an artist’s diploma in organ and a teaching certificate in piano from the New England Conservatory in Boston by age 19. She established a successful performing, composing, and teaching career in Chicago, where she was part of the Chicago Black Renaissance. While a pupil at the New England Conservatory, she played to Alexandre Guilmant, who was deeply impressed with her work. She later wrote her first sonata for organ, drawing inspiration from Guilmant’s first organ sonata.
Fraternité conservation spotlight: Housekeeping
Location: The Abbey
Date: Friday 15th March
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Tickets: Included in the price of admission
Join our Conservation Team in conversation about looking after a building where history is still being made.
Come and find our Conservation Teams at work and ready to discuss what it takes to care for this historic building and its treasures, and how they will keep Westminster Abbey standing for the next 1,000 years.
Look out for the Conservation Housekeepers in the Nave and chat to them about their role at Westminster Abbey.
Fraternité Family Day: The Bayeux Tapestry and Beyond
Location: The Abbey
Date: Saturday 16th March
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Tickets: Included in the price of admission
Explore how the drama of 1066 and the Battle of Hastings, as depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry, shaped the future of Westminster Abbey.
In 1066, William the Conqueror led the Norman Invasion of England, defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings and was crowned King at Westminster Abbey. Explore these momentous events in a day of stories, puzzles, craft and mind-blowing history.
Your own Bayeux Collage
The story of 1066 was memorably told in the Bayeux Tapestry. Choose your own character from the Tapestry and, using craft and collage materials, create a brand-new scene, exploring who they are, what they got up to in 1066, and what their superpower might be!
- Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm
William the Conqueror story tour
Did Edward the Confessor promise the throne of England to William of Normandy, or was that just a rumour? Was King Harold shot by an arrow through the eye, or is that just a tapestry-maker’s fantasy? Why did William the Conqueror choose Westminster Abbey for his coronation and why did the day end in a riot? Explore all this and more in a family story tour, bringing to life the dramatic events of 1066, and the ways in which the Norman invasion changed English history.
- Time: 11.00am
Age suitability
Activities are suitable for children aged 3+ and younger children are welcome. All children must be accompanied by an adult throughout their time at the Abbey.
Toilets and baby changing facilities are available in the Cloisters.
Fraternité conservation spotlight: Catherine de Valois
Location: The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries
Date: Tuesday 19th March
Time: 11:00am & 2:00pm
Tickets: Included in Galleries ticket price
Join our Conservation Team to discover the secrets of Catherine de Valois’ funeral effigy.
Catherine de Valois was the French princess who married Henry V in 1420. At her funeral in the Abbey in 1437, her painted wooden effigy was carried on her coffin, lavishly dressed in robes and a crown.
The effigy is on permanent display our museum, The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries – one of twenty royal funeral effigies in our collection.
Come and join Paintings Conservator, Krista, to hear about the work which has gone into conserving Catherine’s effigy.
Timings
Talks will be held at 11.00am and 2.00pm and last approximately 30 minutes, with an opportunity to ask questions.
What you need to book for this event
General admission to the Abbey and admission to The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries
BUY YOUR ABBEY AND GALLERIES TICKETS HERE
Concert for Holy Week: Bach – St Matthew Passion
Location: The Abbey
Date: Tuesday 26th March
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Tickets: £15.00 – £55.00
The Choir of Westminster Abbey is joined by leading period-instrument orchestra St. James’ Baroque for this Holy Week performance of Bach’s powerful Matthäus-Passion (St Matthew Passion), sung in German.
Members of the Abbey Choir and renowned soprano Anna Dennis sing the solo parts in this sacred oratorio, telling the story of the last days of Jesus as he is betrayed, tried, crucified and buried.
The Choir of Westminster Abbey is renowned worldwide as one of the finest ensembles of its type, its repertoire extending from plainsong and Renaissance polyphony to twentieth-century masterpieces and new commissions. In addition to singing the daily services, as it has done since the fourteenth century, the Choir plays a central role in the many royal and state occasions which are held in the Abbey, most recently the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
This concert takes place thanks to the generous support of David Keltner and the late Patricia Owen Keltner.
Tickets
- £15 – no view (unreserved)
- £22 – very restricted view
- £28 – restricted view
- £36, £45 and £55
There is a £3.50 transaction fee
FIND OUT MORE AND BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
Holy Week and Easter Services
Sung Eucharist with the Blessings of Palms and Procession
Sunday 24th March 2024 – The Abbey and St Margaret’s Church
10:30am – 12:00pm
Sung Eucharist with the Washing of Feet
Thursday, 28th March 2024 – The Abbey
5:00pm – 6:45pm
Solemn Liturgy of the Passion and Death of Our Lord
Friday, 29th March 2024 – The Abbey
3:00pm – 4:15pm
Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter
Saturday, 30th March 2024 – The Abbey
8:00pm – 9:30pm
Holy Communion (BCP) on Easter Day
Sunday, 31st March 2024 – The Abbey
8:00am – 8:40am
Sung Eucharist on Easter Day
Sunday, 31st March 2024 – The Abbey
10:30am – 12:00pm
Evensong on Easter Day
Sunday, 31st March 2024 – The Abbey
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Notre Dame de Paris, The Augmented Exhibition
Date: 7th February – 1st June 2024
Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Location: Chapter House
Tickets: Included in the price of admission (booking required)
Immerse yourself in the history and spectacle of Notre Dame de Paris in the UK’s only location for this world touring interactive exhibition.
About the exhibition
Explore the story of the French gothic masterpiece, Notre Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris) from its earliest origins in the 12th century and its illustrious 850-year history to its painstaking restoration following the devastating fire of 2019.
This exhibition is an immersive and interactive journey through Notre Dame’s past including the lavish wedding of King Henri IV, the glittering coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte, and the 19th century construction of Notre-Dame’s iconic spire of Viollet-le-Duc, which was tragically destroyed by the fire. The skill, artistry and vision over the ages of its architects, craftsmen and builders, and the 21st century experts who are bringing it back to its former glory are brought to life in the show.
Upon entry you will be given a HistoPad™—a portable, touch-screen tablet to show you key moments in Notre-Dame’s history and restoration. Accessible to all ages and levels of technological savvy, it is in 13 languages and includes a virtual treasure hunt for children, and onboard selfie studio.
The HistoPad™ tour will take place in the Abbey’s 13th century Chapter House and envelope you in a multi-sensory experience—including audio of the cathedral’s organ and tolling bells, a full-size replica of one of the structure’s famed chimera statues, and a projection of one of Notre-Dame’s iconic rose windows, which survived the fire.
Created by digital heritage specialists, Histovery, in collaboration with Rebuilding Notre-Dame de Paris, and supported by L’Oréal Groupe.
Ticketing information
The exhibition is free but you will need to book a slot when purchasing your tickets to the Abbey.
Exhibition tickets are released in conjunction with Abbey tickets, up to two months prior.
FIND OUT MOREAND BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
DID YOU KNOW…?
David Livingstone, the famous Scottish missionary and explorer, was born on 19th March 1813 and died at Ilala in the centre of Africa in May 1873.
On hearing of his death A. P. Stanley, Dean of Westminster (no relation to Henry Morton Stanley who “found” Livingstone) wrote to the President of the (Royal) Geographical Society offering burial in Westminster Abbey.
Livingstone’s heart had been buried under a mpundu tree but his faithful attendants enclosed his embalmed body in a cylinder of bark which was wrapped in sailcloth and carried it to the coast and then sailed to London, arriving the following year.
As the Doctor had been away from England for so long a correct identification of the remains was required and this was verified by the badly set broken arm which had been crushed by a lion.
There was also the fact that only Dr Livingstone could have inspired the Africans to overcome their natural superstition of carrying a dead body for so many months in order to reach the African coast with all the dangers that journey entailed.
READ MORE ABOUT DAVID LIVINGSTONE AND THE ABBEY’S HISTORY HERE
SHOP
A set of five Easter Eggs in gorgeous pastel colours, each with an individual, needle felted design. The perfect accompaniment for your Easter Tree or a chocolate free alternative for your egg hunt!
- Material: 100% wool
- Handmade needle felted
Egg measurements: H5 X W4cm
FREE SUNDAY ORGAN RECITALS
Sundays throughout the year
Held on Sundays at 5.00pm, these popular 30-minute recitals are given by visiting and the Abbey’s own organists and feature a wide range of music to suit all tastes.
Admission is free, tickets are not required.
DAILY SERVICES
Westminster Abbey has been a place of worship since the tenth century and we still hold services every day.
Everyone is welcome to worship with us; services are free of charge and most do not require a ticket
SUPPORT WESTMINSTER ABBEY
It costs over £14 million a year to maintain the Abbey, and we do not receive any funding from the Church, the Crown, or the Government. The drastic reduction to our income caused by the Covid pandemic is putting our priceless heritage at risk.
You can support the work of the Abbey, and preserve over 1,000 years of history, by becoming a member of the Abbey Association. From just £40, membership benefits include free entry to the Abbey and Galleries, exclusive member events and tours and discounts in our shops and the Cellarium Café and Terrace.
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