Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
JEWEL TOWER
Abingdon St Westminster 020 7222 2219.April-Oct daily 10am-5pm; Nov-March Sat - Sun
10am-4pm.£3.90.
MAP
The Jewel Tower is another remnant of the medieval palace. It once formed the corner of the
original fortifications, and was constructed in around 1365 by Edward III as a giant strong-
box for the crown jewels. These days, it houses an excellent exhibition on the history of par-
liament - worth checking out before you visit the Houses of Parliament.
WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL
Victoria St Victoria 020 7798 9055,
www.westminstercathedral.org.uk
.
Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat
8am-7pm, Sun 8am-8pm.Free.
MAP
Begun in 1895, the stripy neo-Byzantine, Roman Catholic Westminster Cathedral is one of
London's most surprising churches, as well as one of the last - and the wildest - monuments
to the Victorian era. Brick-built, and decorated with hoops of Portland stone, it culminates in
a magnificent 274-foot tapered
campanile
, served by a lift (Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat &
Sun 9.30am-6pm; £5). The interior is only half finished, so to get an idea of what the place
should eventually look like, explore the side chapels whose rich, multicoloured decor uses
over one hundred types of marble from around the world. Be sure, too, to check out the low-
relief Stations of the Cross, sculpted by Eric Gill during World War I.
