What is behind the high altar at Westminster Abbey?

The bones of Edward the Confessor still lie in his Shrine behind the High Altar. The Abbey is packed with tablets, statues and inscriptions commemorating kings, queens, knights, writers, actors, musicians, scientists and statesmen, not all of whom are buried in the Abbey.



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Above the main floor space of Westminster Abbey is a newly revamped attic, which had been used as storage room for centuries. The attic space, renamed the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries, was once described by poet John Betjeman as having "the best view in Europe."

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There are over 3000 people buried at Westminster Abbey, which includes 30 kings and queens of England and hundreds of influential figures from various disciplines.

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Westminster Abbey is the final resting place of 30 kings and queens starting with King Edward the Confessor whose magnificent shrine stands just behind the High Altar. Henry III, who built the church you see today, is buried near him.

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Buried within Westminster Abbey is the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, this grave contains the body of an unknown British soldier from the First World War.

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The great pavement in front of the High Altar of Westminster Abbey is a unique and remarkable object. The complexity and subtlety of the design and workmanship can be seen nowhere else on this scale.

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Hawking's remains were buried on Friday beneath a sunlit arch, between those of Darwin and Newton, at a memorial service at Westminster Abbey.

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Henry III rebuilt Westminster Abbey in honour of the Royal Saint Edward the Confessor, whose relics were placed in a shrine in the sanctuary and now lie in a burial vault beneath the 1268 Cosmati mosaic pavement, in front of the high altar.

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