Westminster Abbey--Do Not Miss Evensong
If it's Kings and Queens are you want, you must go to Westminster Abbey. Of all the places in England AlteCocker has been, it is one of the places where you feel the closest to all that tradition. After all, it is in the Abbey that monarchs are crowned and buried and heirs are often wed. The tombs of the monarchs are all around.
Of course, there's more to Westminster Abbey than just the monarchs. There are poets, politicians and scholars as well. In fact, one can get a bit intimidated about where one steps, as many of them rest underfoot.
With all this history around you, do yourself a favor and stay for Evensong. This is the service generally done about sunset where, during the school season at least, the choirboys come out to sing. Now, AlteCocker is not a Christian (as you may have guessed from the name), but she has been known to get weak in the knees at the thought of beautiful choral music. The performance--uh, service--is free, and you get to rest your aching feet.
If you have little Cockers with you, you may want to check out the Brass Rubbing Centre at the St Martin's in the Field. For a fee, you can make a brass rubbing of a reproduction effigy of a long deceased knight or lady. It does make a nice souvenir and lets the kids work off some kvetching from seeing too many historical sites.
To find out the times of evensong when you are in London, check the website for Westminster Abbey.
If you prefer to listen to evensong at St. Paul's Cathedral, where Prince Charles & Lady Diana were wed, check the website for St. Paul's.
Of course, there's more to Westminster Abbey than just the monarchs. There are poets, politicians and scholars as well. In fact, one can get a bit intimidated about where one steps, as many of them rest underfoot.
With all this history around you, do yourself a favor and stay for Evensong. This is the service generally done about sunset where, during the school season at least, the choirboys come out to sing. Now, AlteCocker is not a Christian (as you may have guessed from the name), but she has been known to get weak in the knees at the thought of beautiful choral music. The performance--uh, service--is free, and you get to rest your aching feet.
If you have little Cockers with you, you may want to check out the Brass Rubbing Centre at the St Martin's in the Field. For a fee, you can make a brass rubbing of a reproduction effigy of a long deceased knight or lady. It does make a nice souvenir and lets the kids work off some kvetching from seeing too many historical sites.
To find out the times of evensong when you are in London, check the website for Westminster Abbey.
If you prefer to listen to evensong at St. Paul's Cathedral, where Prince Charles & Lady Diana were wed, check the website for St. Paul's.