London Attractions Unfamiliar Attractions Westminster AbbeyWestminster Abbey - Duck Tour - £££
Start with a visit to Westminster Abbey, the coronation and burial site for English and British monarchs. The first abbey was founded on the site in about 
620, with the present building dating from a stone abbey in 1050 which was later extended. It was spared during the 'Dissolution of the Monasteries' by the intervention of Henry VIII, who granted Westminster Abbey cathedral status in 1539, though the reason why is not clear since the dissolution was at his behest. The expression 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' likely came from this period when donations to St. Peter (whom the abbey was dedicated to) were diverted to the coffers of St. Paul['s Cathedral]. Elizabeth I established it as a 'Royal Peculiar' where the church is directly responsible to the sovereign. The two towers are the work of Nicholas Hawksmoor (an apprentice of Christopher Wren), whose motivations have been the speculation of several authors including Peter Ackroyd and Alan Moore, 
since his 6 famous churches are said to form a pattern consistent with Theistic Satanism.
The Westminster Abbey Museum, is located in the vaulted undercroft of St. Peter, dating from the 11th century, one of the oldest parts of the site.
Cross Westminster Bridge until it meets York Road on the opposite bank and turn left (north). In front of Waterloo station you'll find 'Duck Tours' who run an amphibious tour of the city in converted landing craft (DUKWS), which are painted canary yellow and not easy to miss. The tour takes in numerous land sites by road, including Westminster Palace and Trafalgar Square before plunging into the Thames for the waterborne section. The vehicles leave from Chicheley Street, behind the Millennium Eye and booking in advance is advised (tickets can be purchased from the internet). 
Westminster Abbey, SW1P 3PA.
Westminster Tube.
Call: 020 7222 5152
London Duck Tours Limited, 55 York Road, SE1 7NJ.
Waterloo Tube.
Call: 020 7928 3132
