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Contents
Royal tombs
Westminster Abbey is the final resting place of 30 kings and queens. The first king to be buried at Westminster Abbey was Edward the Confessor in the year 1066. Until George II of England in 1760, most Kings and Queens of England were buried at this iconic church. Henry III, who built the church as we know it today, is also buried here near Edward the Confessor.
King Henry III
Henry III ruled for 56 years, from 1216 to 1272. He built Westminster Abbey in the second half of his reign and was buried in front of the High Altar. In 1290, his son Edward moved his body to its current location with a gilt brass tomb effigy made by William Torell.
King Henry V
Famous for his outstanding military successes in the Hundred Years’ War against France, Henry V was the King of England for just 9 years. He was buried in Westminster Abbey in 1422 and his infant son Henry VI took the throne.
King Henry VII
Henry VII was the first monarch of the House of Tudor and ruled for 24 years. He restored power and stability to the monarchy following the Civil War. He is buried next to his wife, Elizabeth, in the Henry VII Chapel that he commissioned.
Queen Elizabeth I
The daughter of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, her reign was known as the Elizabethan era, famous for being the golden age of drama, poetry, and music. She reigned for 44 years and shares her grave with her half-sister, Mary I.
Who else is buried at Westminster Abbey
There are over 3000 people buried at Westminster Abbey, which includes hundreds of influential figures from various disciplines.
Sir Isaac Newton
A leading figure in science, mathematics, and astronomy, Newton passed away in 1727 at Kensington. Newton’s monument at Westminster is made of white and grey marble, depicting objects from his optic and mathematical work.
Stephen Hawking
An eminent astrophysicist, mathematician, and author, Professor Stephen Hawking was buried in 2018, next to Charles Darwin and Sir Isaac Newton. His gravestone depicts a series of rings that swirl around a dark eclipse, reflecting his work on black holes.
Charles Darwin
Renowned for his science on evolution and his work on scientific literature, On the Origin of Species where he introduced the concept of natural selection, Charles Darwin was a geologist and biologist and is also buried at Westminster Abbey.
The Unknown Warrior
Representing the thousands of soldiers who died during World War I, the Unknown Warrior is the burial of an unidentified British soldier who was killed in the war. As a sign of respect, this is the only tomb that guests are not allowed to walk into.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Westminster Abbey tombs and burials
How many people are buried at Westminster Abbey?
There are over 3300 tombs at Westminster Abbey.
Where is Isaac Newton buried in Westminster Abbey?
Sir Isaac Newton is buried in the Scientists' Corner in the Abbey, an area dedicated to some of Britain's most illustrious scientists.
Who was the last person buried at Westminster Abbey?
The most recent burial was that of Stephen Hawking, whose ashes were interred in 2018 near the graves of Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.
What is the oldest tomb in Westminster Abbey?
The oldest tomb is that of Edward the Confessor, reinterred in a shrine behind the High Altar in 1163.
Can I visit the burials and tombs at Westminster Abbey?
Yes, you can visit the tombs and burials at Westminster Abbey.
Is photography allowed inside the tombs and burial areas?
To maintain respect and decorum, photography is generally not allowed within the tombs and burial areas.
