Westminster Cathedral - Sightseeing, Places of Worship

Westminster Cathedral

Victoria Street, London, SW1P 1QH
Tel: +44 (0)20 7798 9055

Following almost 300 years of persecution, the Roman Catholic Church was again allowed to practice in England, from about 1829. As the popularity of the church grew over the next few decades, the need for a cathedral arose and in 1884 the site of the old Tothill Fields house of correction for paupers was brought and it is here that the Cathedral now stands.

The campanile, or bell tower, is 273 feet high. Visitors can go up the tower via a small lift. There is a small charge but the view from the top is well worth it.

Westminster Cathedral is a unique example of Christian Byzantine architecture in Great Britain. The foundation stone was laid in June 1895 and can be seen just north of the Sanctuary steps. The cathedral is now regarded as the "mother church" for Catholics in this country. In addition to its stunning architecture, its marbles and mosaics are reminiscent of St Mark's, Venice and Santa Sophia, Constantinople.

The Westminster Cathedral choir is regarded as one of the finest in the country. It specialises in plain chant and 16th century polyphony, although it also performs many other major works during the liturgy. The choir sings every day at 5.30pm and on Sunday at 10.30am and 3.30pm.