Lambeth Palace

Recommended by

Overview

The official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury is open to anyone who books a 90-minute guided tour. You can see where Justin Welby lives and works as the modern-day head of the Church of England by visiting the State Rooms, Chapels, Atrium and Crypt in the company of an expert guide. The oldest part of the palace, the Crypt Chapel, dates from 1220. It was originally a storage room for wine and beer but became a chapel in World War II when the main chapel was destroyed. The Guard Room, dating from the 14th century, is the room in which Thomas More was asked to deny the authority of the Pope and acknowledge Henry VIII as head of the Church of England. He was then led away to the Tower and eventual execution. The glass-roofed Atrium, added in 2000, is the most recent addition to Lambeth Palace. Despite its modernity, it blends well with its ancient surroundings.

Location

LONDON, SE1 7JU

About the area

London, the UK’s capital, is a metropolis of famous landmarks, unrivalled shopping, world-renowned arts venues, galleries and museums, dining and award-winning theatre. London is steeped in royal history, and visitors can watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, learn about the final days of Anne Boleyn at the Tower of London, or take a leisurely stroll around the capital’s Royal Parks.