The Exterior of Westminster Abbey

Antiques from London on eBay

Pink Luster/Polychrome Cup w/Saucer. London Shape
14 Apr 2010 at 7:15am
US $45.00
End Date: Saturday Sep-11-2010 5:20:06 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $45.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Antique Map-ENGLAND-UK-OXFORD-LONDON-Vaugondy-1778
14 Apr 2010 at 8:06am
US $195.00
End Date: Saturday Sep-11-2010 6:11:32 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $195.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list

Arthur H. Beavan in Imperial London, 1901 described the exterior of Westminster Abbey:

A few words about the exterior of Westminster Abbey will suffice - strangers getting their first glimpse of it from Victoria Street, may well be disappointed.

The Abbey west front looks narrow and undignified compared with the glories of Lincoln, Durham, Wells, or Canterbury Cathedrals.

From Parliament Street, however, in 1900, now that the houses at its termination had been taken down, the view of Westminster Abbey was undeniably impressive; in fact, there were few public buildings in London of which so clear a sight could be got.

St. Margaret's church has often been called an obstruction to the view, especially of Henry VII's chapel, and it is hard to reconcile oneself to its existence on the technical plea that it gives "scale" to the Minster.

This might have applied before the Houses of Parliament were erected, but its retention can only be justified on the score of its connection with the House of Commons, and its association with Sir Walter Raleigh.

(A most impressive view of the Chapel House with its massive flying buttresses and of Henry VII's chapel could be obtained from Old Palace Yard.)

An excellent distant view of Westminster Abbey could be had either from the Middlesex end of Lambeth Bridge, or from the centre of Vauxhall Bridge, whence the great length and elevation of the roof standing up grandly above the house-tops could be clearly noted.