Westminster Abbey

We've been in London for more than a year. However, we've yet to explore many of the city's traditional tourist sights. Today we chose Westminster Abbey to tick off the list. A church has been on the site of this grand building since the 10th Century. The current nave dates back to 13th Century and reflects the French design that was popular at the time. The coronation of every British monarch since William the Conqueror has taken place here. Many of Britain's greatest monarchs and historical figures are also buried within its walls.

We made our way to the Abbey via Parliament Square. The area was bathed in brilliant sunshine making for a perfect winter's day. I stopped to briefly admire the statue of Sir Winston Churchill, glowering at the House of Commons, home to Britain's modern Parliament. It's hard to believe that this square was the country's first traffic roundabout. These days, roundabouts make an appearance throughout the city and even many of the nation's most remote country roads.

We explored every corner of the abbey. All sections were open allowing us to visit the tomb of Elizabeth 1, Mary Queen of Scots and most surprisingly, David Livingstone, African missionary and explorer. Along side the many tombs are memorials to many of the world's most famous figures including William Shakespeare, Franklin D Roosevelt, Charles Dickens and William Herschel (the English astronomer who discovered the planet Uranus).

Tomb of Elizabeth I. Her marble face was rendered using her death mask.

We arrived in time to watch the choir rehearse, swathed in bright red robes. The building seemed to come alive as their hymns echoed through each ornate chapel. Chapter House was also open. This octagonal room was built in the 13th Century and remain one of the best preserved medieval rooms in London. I was thrilled to finally see this room. It's always been closed any other time I've visited the Abbey.

The Chapter House was initially used by monks who met here every day for prayers and to read a chapter from the rule of St Benedict. The English Parliament also met here until the Palace of Westminster was built. It then became a storage room for the nation's archives until being restored to its former glory. Today you can still see original 13th Century tiles on the floor.

From the Abbey we wandered past Whitehall to St James Park. Here we stopped for a moment of silence in front of the new memorial erected to remember those killed in the 2002 Bali terrorist bombings. A single stone sphere sits in front of a curving wall engraved with the names of those that lost their lives. It seemed a particularly appropriate time to visit. The news this week has been filled with the trial of suicide bombers who failed in their attempt to blow up tube trains shortly after July 7, 2005.

From here we made our way towards Oxford Street via St James Square and the exclusive Burlington Arcade. This 19th enclosed mall is home to some of London most lavish jewelers and fashion accessories. I was tempted by the vintage Rolex watches until I noticed the £10,900 price tag (A$25,000). This paled into insignificant when compared to the Cartier watch on sale for an astonishing £18,400 (A$45,000). Both watches made the £5,000 diamond rings next door look like a bargain. Now, where can I buy a Lotto ticket?