Once inside the building, you realize why they called English Gothic "perpendicular"--the ceiling soars above you in great vaults held aloft by giant stone pillars. Almost as striking are the crystal chandeliers which line the nave and light the building.

The gilded painting standing to the right of the Abbey's main entrance is a portrait of Richard II--Chaucer's patron and the main character in Shakespeare's historical play of the same name. He is seated on the coronation throne (somewhat oddly, since he was crowned at age 10, and he sure doesn't look 10 in the picture). You can see the throne itself as you continue through the Abbey.

The focal point of the Abbey is the shrine of St. Edward the Confessor, located where the transept meets the nave.

It's made of various types of exotic stone like purple porphyry, but isn't particularly splendid now, since it was demolished when Henry VIII broke with Rome, and inexpertly reconstructed.

More striking (but usually covered so that it's protected) is the original medieval floor that the shrine stands on. The floor is displayed on occasion, so you may be lucky enough to see it when you're there.

Everybody visits Poet's Corner, found near the shrine in the right arm of the transept. It contains monuments to famous authors like Chaucer and Shakespeare. Some of the authors commemorated are actually buried here--like Chaucer, whose tomb is the nucleus of Poet's Corner. One--Shakespeare's contemporary Ben Jonson--has a monument in the corner, but is actually buried to the left of the main doors. See if you can find his real headstone, set into the wall at floor level.

Before you strike off to hunt for Ben, though, check out the 13th century murals on the transept wall. The color is striking, and helps you imagine what the medieval abbey (which would have been entirely covered with such murals) must have been like.

If you'll be in London for several days, be sure to go to the Abbey's Evensong.

Evensong is an Anglican service where the worshippers reflect upon the past day. It can be either sung or spoken. Try to go to a sung service, with the music provided by the men and boys of Westminster's choir. It's a peaceful way to stop and take stock after a busy day.

Admission to the Abbey is $9 for adults, $4.50 for students. Full price admission is expensive, but the proceeds go toward the cost of maintaining the Abbey.

As Evensong is a church service, it's free.

The Abbey is easy to get to; take the tube to the Westminster stop.

When we arrived they were in the process of a ceremony commemorating the Battle of Britain. There were no "famous" people attending, as the Queen only attends on major anniversaries. We could not go into the church, but viewed the amazing architecture of the entrance. We had meant to go to Buckingham Palace first, but turned the wrong way and only accidentally ended up at the Abbey. We did get around to seeing the back side of it later in the day, but did not go inside. This is something we will have to save for another trip, but it should not be missed if you have the time.

Besides being the place where coronations have been held for the past millennium, Westminster’s also the place where most of England’s kings and queens of England are buried- in heavy, ornate tombs with carved stone statues (usually likenesses of the monarch) lying supine on top. Our tour through the church took us past the tombs of a number of monarchs and their consorts- Anne of Cleves, Elizabeth I, Richard II and Mary Queen of Scots among them. There are lots of other well known personalities, if not monarchs, here too: Lord Milton, David Livingstone, Margaret Beaufort (grandmother of Henry VIII and founder of two Cambridge colleges), Lord Canning, Darwin, James Watt and Robert Browning included. And there are memorials to countless others: Captain Cook, Sir Lawrence Olivier, Clement Attlee and Benjamin Disraeli. Interestingly enough, Oliver Cromwell is also buried in Westminster Abbey, although his head is buried in Sydney Sussex College, Cambridge- a rather gruesome burial!

Westminster Abbey also has a memorial to Walter Raleigh (buried beneath the altar of St Margaret’s, next door), who, among his other achievements, introduced tobacco and potatoes to England. Within the Abbey too is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier , a memorial to the hundreds who died during World War I.

If you’re visiting Westminster, do walk on next door to the church of St Margaret’s , the church attended by the Members of Parliament. It’s a fairly small church, but pretty (it’s undergone massive renovation, having suffered severe damage during World War II). Lord Mountbatten and Sir Winston Churchill had both been married in this church, and their wedding photographs and marriage certificates are on display.

It's mind blowing to see articles that are hundreds of years old and realize the signficance that article or tomb had on our lives today. You wind your way through various periods of English history and end up in the large central cathedral hall where parisheners still worship daily. If you watch British world events this room will be familiar as the site for many a royal affair, such as the crowning of the Queen and Princess Diana's funeral. You walk where monarches, nobles, lords,and ladies for centuries before you walked. Off to the side of the main abbey is a large connecting portico where a museum slowing the ascencion and progression of the throne to modern day and also an area where you can do brass rubbings. Of course there is also the obligatory gift shop to purchase souvenirs.

If you only see one thing of historic value in London, Westminster Abbey should be that place. Children may find this adventure boring, especially since they need to maintain a quiet voice level since it is still a functioning church. If you plan to digest it in depth, it's best to go on a day when only adults are in attendance. With children along, I recommend a faster paced tour, but don't hesitate to take the kids along if that's the only way you can see it. Little ones will need to be held by the hand or kept in strollers at all times however. It's so British, yet so international.