Creation

Westminster Abbey, founded 1,000 years ago on Thorney Island, has long had a duty to care for and protect nature. Drawing on our ancient roots and Christian faith, this hopeful season of events brings together people from all faiths, and none, reminding us that we are all connected in one living world. Join us in our historic gardens to unearth our personal accountability, inspire communal action, and contribute to the global conversation.

Season highlights

Photograph of women smelling and touching rosemary in College Garden in Westminster Abbey

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Enjoy an evening’s entertainment outside this summer, from live storytelling to theatre

Go back to the beginning with a performance of Haydn’s The Creation

Grow your understanding of the historic gardens on a guided tour with Head Gardner Jan Pancheri

Breathe deep during a yoga class in the walled garden

Take the time to notice nature while drawing our historic trees in a guided workshop

Find serenity at a Wednesday Late with sounds of folk music as you explore

Spend time in the fresh air and get creative at one of our themed family days

Events

Photograph of storyteller standing within a canvas tent, performing to an adult audience at Westminster Abbey

Stories: Sowing the seeds

Close up photograph of woman smelling and touching rosemary within the herb garden at Westminster Abbey

Trail: Wellbeing wander

Photograph of young children within a rainforest. Photo credit: CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese

Exhibition: Communion Forest

Photograph of top of tuba, part of a brass band, with building around College Garden including Westminster Abbey in the background

Concert: Brass on the Grass

Photograph of purple irises in Little Cloister, a gated garden containing a fountain within Westminster Abbey

Tour: Meet the Head Gardener

Four Forty Theatre

Connecting with nature

From wherever you are in the world, discover more about College Garden from the Head Gardener or experience a mindful exploration of nature at the Abbey, guided by the Chaplain.

Photograph looking through stone framed entrance to College Garden at Westminster Abbey

Photograph showing flower bed and herb garden within College Garden

Mindful moments

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A Priest's Perspective

The Reverend Mark Birch shares his view on regularly asked questions about Christianity and Creation, including beliefs about God the Creator, what the Bible teaches Christians about creation and how they respond to scientific explanations of the origins of the world.

Photograph of statue of Adam and Eve within Westminster Abbey

Does the Bible tell Christians all they need to know about God’s creation?

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Photograph of the Holy Bible on a wooden lectern within Westminster Abbey

How do Christians respond to the scientific explanations of the origins of the world?

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Close up photograph of flowers within College Garden in Westminster Abbey

Close up photograph of the globe visualised on the Westminster Retable within Westminster Abbey

Drawing of Westminster Abbey on Thorney Island, also showing the River Thames

Photograph of memorial fountain to Capability Brown within Westminster Abbey

Photograph of the memorial stone to Dr John Rae, the artic explorer, within Westminster Abbey

Photograph of the Queen's Window, designed by David Hockney alongside the quire of Westminster Abbey

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Oldest garden

Built by monks as a herb garden nearly a 1,000 years ago, College Garden is now a serene retreat. In keeping with tradition, where once a space for monastic reflection, it now offers historical charm and tranquillity to visitors.

Abbey gardens

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Westminster Retable

The Westminster Retable, England's oldest altarpiece, is notable for its intricate depictions of nature. Its images of the sun, moon, trees, sheep, and birds, make it a significant example of 13th-century panel painting.

Retable

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Thorney Island

Once a marshy eyot on the Thames and shaped by the River Tyburn, Westminster rests on the ancient Thorney Island. Though altered by land changes, its natural heritage persists amidst the historic landmarks in place names and by local initiatives.

History of Westminster Abbey

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Capability Brown

Lancelot "Capability" Brown, revolutionised English landscape gardening. His lasting impact can be seen on over 170 parks. His nickname reflected his belief in the potential or ‘capability’ for improvement in every garden he encountered.

Lancelot Capability Brown

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Dr John Rae

Explorer Dr. John Rae chartered the Northwest Passage, learned survival skills from indigenous peoples and mapped Arctic coastlines. He discovered the remains of the infamous Franklin Exploration frozen into the ice of the Canadian wilderness.

Dr John Rae

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Hockney window

David Hockney's stained glass window for Westminster Abbey celebrates Queen Elizabeth II's reign with vibrant nature scenes, reflecting her love for the countryside and Hockney's distinctive style.

The Queen Elizabeth II window

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