Creative magnificence In the winter issue of the AGTO Magazine we brought news of Cirque…
January at Westminster Abbey
Happy New Year from Westminster Abbey! We hope that you had a pleasant and restful Christmas time.
In January, you can attend our regular lunch time talk in St Margaret’s Church and spend and evening with Dan Jones in the Lady Chapel.
Always be sure to check our latest opening dates and times at our website – just click on the “plan your visit now” button, below!
Read on to find out more about what’s happening in January.
With very best wishes for the year ahead,
The Marketing Team
The Epiphany of our Lord Sung Eucharist
Date: Monday, 6th January
Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Location: The Abbey
Tickets: Free (no booking required)
The main service to observe The Epiphany of our Lord, which traditionally marks the visit of the Magi or ‘Wise Men’ to the child Jesus.
This Eucharist includes the singing of Christmas Carols, music from the adults in our Abbey Choir, a sermon and Holy Communion.
The service will last approximately 90 minutes.
Lunchtime Talk: A Stonemason’s Guide to Britain’s Churches
Date: Wednesday, 8th January
Time: 1:00pm – 1:50pm
Location: St Margaret’s Church
Tickets: £5.00
Andrew Ziminski explores the often-overlooked features and furnishings that await discovery in our Parish Churches.
Places of worship like Westminster Abbey or St Margaret’s Church unlock our understanding of a shared past. As places of worship, community hubs and locations for calm reflection, they serve many purposes and have evolved over time to reflect the societies that have built them.
Join stonemason and church conservator Andrew Ziminski as he guides you through the history and architecture of Britain’s churches. Ziminski will shed light on the detail, features and meanings that can be found in our places of worship, revealing some of their fascinating histories in the process.
In this talk Ziminski will examine the history of churches across the British Isles and Ireland, with a special focused placed on the Tudor architecture and monuments of St Margaret’s.
This event is part of our monthly Lunchtime Talk series. On the second Wednesday of every month, join us at St Margaret’s Church for an in-depth exploration of part of the Abbey’s history.
FIND OUT MORE AND BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
An Evening with Dan Jones: The Astonishing Henry V
Date: Tuesday, 21st January
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Lady Chapel
Tickets: £15.00
Leading Medieval Historian Dan Jones recounts the astonishing rise of England’s famous warrior king Henry V, metres from his final resting place.
Henry V is a figure who looms large in English history, despite spending only nine years and four months on the throne. His legendary victory against the French at Agincourt has been lauded for centuries and contributes to the enduring perception of Henry as the epitome of medieval kingship.
Best-selling historian Dan Jones has set out to contextualise Henry’s reign by focusing on the early years of his life, before he succeeded the throne upon the death of his father Henry IV within the walls of Westminster Abbey.
Join Dan for a special evening event in the Lady Chapel of Westminster Abbey, metres from Henry V’s final resting place. Here, he will explore the complex man behind the legend: a leader who made many mistakes; who misjudged his friends and family members; and yet always seemed to triumph when it mattered.
FIND OUT MORE AND JOIN THE WAITLIST HERE
DID YOU KNOW…?
A white marble bust of Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns is on the wall of Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey near the memorials to William Shakespeare and Scottish poet James Thomson. The sculptor was Sir John Steell and the bust was unveiled by the Earl of Rosebery on 7th March 1885.
It was paid for by means of a ‘shilling subscription’, co-ordinated by a committee in Glasgow, established in 1878. Contributions were received from all over the world. The inscription reads simply:
1759 BURNS 1796
Robert was born on 25th January 1759 in a small cottage at Alloway in Ayrshire in the west of Scotland. His parents were William (d.1784) and Agnes. Although he was composing songs by 1774 his profession was as a farmer and ploughman.
His Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect appeared in 1786 and was an instant success. He collected and wrote about 200 songs, and some of his best-known lyrics are ‘Auld Lang Syne’, ‘Ye banks and braes’ and ‘O my luve’s like a red, red rose’. In 1788 he finally married Jean Armour and became an Excise officer. He died on 21st July 1796, probably of rheumatic heart disease, and is buried in St Michael’s churchyard, Dumfries.
Celebrations are now held throughout the world on ‘Burn’s Night’, 25th January.
READ MORE ABOUT THE ABBEY’S HISTORY HERE
SHOP
The adorable Cuddly Classic Winnie-the-Pooh, the most famous character from A.A Milne’s heart-warming classic storybooks, Tales from Hundred Acre Wood, makes the ultimate snuggle companion for baby.
This lovable 30cm premium soft toy has beautifully embroidered features and has been created using only the softest, textured plush fabric to promote that special bond with baby and create memories that will last a lifetime.
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 £45, 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.
FIND OUT MORE AND BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!
CORPORATE HOSPITALITY
Since our founding by Benedictine monks, hospitality has always been at the heart of the Abbey. We have held royal weddings, State Occasions, and every coronation since 1066.
You can now hire an historic space for your next corporate event.
Why not host a dinner or reception in one of our unique heritage spaces, set within the Abbey grounds – and offer your guests a private tour of the Abbey?
Related Posts
