New Gallery Opens

The Westminster Abbey is now featuring tours of previous unavailable galleries, giving the public a look for the first time in 700 years.

The new collection is featured in a previous area that was off limits for visitors, to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The gallery displays over 300 chronicled artifacts collected over the 1,000 year-history, including Medieval pieces.

The new collection will feature older pieces that were previously in another museum section of the Abbey, with new pieces that have never been displayed before. One of the most historical pieces included the coronation chair of Queen Mary II from 1689 and a Medieval Westminster Retable alter from the 1200s. Another piece is a funeral effigy head of King Henry the VII.

The gallery features four sections reflecting the Abbey’s construction, relationship with the monarchy, the role in national memory, worship and daily life. The new gallery will also feature replicas of the crown jewels.

Among historical artifacts there will also be pieces of art and architecture influencing the iconic church. The location of the gallery is below one of the higher vaults, offering a new bird-eye view of the Abbey for visitors.

The entry fee is £5 in addition to the regular admission price of £22, this fixed price will be offer June 11 to June 31. Check out the video above to learn more about the new Westminster Abbey gallery.