Introduction: Westminster Cathedral – A Semi-Hidden London Landmark
When people hear the name “Westminster Cathedral”, they often picture its much older neighbour, Westminster Abbey. Yet these two famous London churches are very different, both in their history and their religious traditions.
Westminster Cathedral stands around half a mile from Westminster Abbey, but it is a landmark with a fascinating story of its own. From its origins on the site of a former prison to its role as the Mother Church of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, the cathedral offers a fascinating glimpse into London’s religious and architectural history.
With its striking Byzantine design, vast marble interior and impressive tower, Westminster Cathedral is well worth discovering – particularly if you are exploring Westminster and looking for somewhere beyond the capital’s most familiar landmarks.
Westminster Cathedral and Westminster Abbey: What’s the Difference?
One of the most common misconceptions about Westminster Cathedral is that it is the same building as Westminster Abbey. Despite their proximity, they have very different histories and religious identities.
Westminster Abbey is an Anglican church with origins stretching back centuries, while Westminster Cathedral is the principal Roman Catholic church in England and Wales.
The cathedral’s full name is The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Christ and is regarded as the Mother Church of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales.
The close proximity of the two buildings makes Westminster an especially interesting area to explore on foot, with three significant churches – Westminster Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Methodist Central Hall – all forming part of the area’s remarkable religious landscape.
From Prison Site to Westminster Cathedral
The story of Westminster Cathedral begins in an unexpected place.
The cathedral was built partly on the former site of Tothill Fields Prison, with the land acquired by Cardinal Manning in 1884. Its construction came during an important period in the history of Roman Catholicism in Britain.
Roman Catholic emancipation in 1829 removed many of the legal restrictions that had previously been imposed upon Roman Catholics. The building of a major Roman Catholic cathedral in Westminster therefore represented an important development in the growing public presence of the Catholic Church.
The foundation stone was laid by Cardinal Vaughan in 1895, and the cathedral was completed in 1903.
The Byzantine Architecture of Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral is particularly distinctive because of its Byzantine architectural style.
The cathedral was designed by John Francis Bentley, a leading Victorian architect. Rather than following the Gothic style associated with Westminster Abbey, Bentley created a building inspired by Byzantine architecture, giving Westminster Cathedral its unmistakable appearance.
The interior is particularly striking, with marble, columns and intricate decorative details creating an atmosphere quite different from the medieval interiors found elsewhere in Westminster.
Westminster Cathedral inside | London Guided Walks | Photo by Philip Scott
The original plan was for the cathedral’s ceiling to eventually be covered in mosaics. That ambitious scheme was never completed, but the unfinished decoration has become part of the building’s character.
The cathedral is also said to contain around 12.5 million bricks, giving some idea of the scale of this remarkable Victorian building.
Westminster Cathedral’s Tower and London Views
One of the cathedral’s most impressive features is its tower, which rises approximately 284 feet (87 metres) above Westminster.
A lift takes visitors towards the top, where spectacular views across London can be enjoyed.
From above, Westminster can be seen from a very different perspective, with the surrounding streets and landmarks forming part of the wider London landscape.
For visitors interested in London architecture, history and photography, the tower is a particularly worthwhile part of a visit to Westminster Cathedral.
Why Was Westminster Cathedral Hidden from View?
Today, Westminster Cathedral has a prominent position on Victoria Street, but this was not always the case.
For many years, buildings stood directly in front of the cathedral, meaning that its impressive façade was largely hidden from view when approaching along Victoria Street.
Those buildings were finally demolished in the mid-1970s, allowing the open space in front of the cathedral to be created. This transformed the way the cathedral could be seen from the street and gave visitors a much better appreciation of its distinctive architecture.
The building was designated a Grade I listed building in 1994, recognising its exceptional architectural and historic importance.
Westminster Cathedral and the Royal Family
Westminster Cathedral has also played an important role in royal and national life.
The cathedral attracted considerable attention in September 2025 when the funeral of the Duchess of Kent was held there, attended by King Charles III and other members of the Royal Family. The Duchess had converted from the Church of England to Roman Catholicism in 1994, with the blessing of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The cathedral has also welcomed members of the Royal Family on other significant occasions. Queen Elizabeth II attended Choral Vespers at Westminster Cathedral to mark its centenary, an important moment in the cathedral’s relationship with the British monarchy.
These events demonstrate the unusual position Westminster Cathedral occupies within Britain’s religious and constitutional history.
Famous Visitors and Historic Events
Westminster Cathedral has welcomed a number of prominent visitors and hosted important occasions over the years.
Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral in 1982, followed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. The cathedral has also been associated with notable public figures and significant national events.
Tony Blair was received into the Roman Catholic Church at Westminster Cathedral in 2007, while Boris Johnson married there in 2021.
Following the tragic murder of David Amess MP in 2021, a Requiem Mass was held at the cathedral in his memory.
The building therefore represents more than an architectural landmark. It continues to play an important role in the religious and public life of Britain.
Westminster Cathedral and Cardinal Place
The influence of Westminster Cathedral can also be seen in the modern development surrounding it.
When the Cardinal Place shopping and office development was created opposite the cathedral at the beginning of the 21st century, its name was chosen to reflect the cathedral’s presence.
The development’s main thoroughfare is called Cardinal Walk, continuing the connection with the Catholic hierarchy and the history of Westminster Cathedral.
Today, Cardinal Place includes shops, restaurants and cafés, as well as a raised public terrace, creating an interesting contrast between the historic cathedral and the modern commercial environment around it.
Visiting Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral is open to visitors every day and, unlike many major London attractions, there is generally no charge to enter the cathedral itself. There is a charge for visiting the tower.
The cathedral also has a café in its basement, providing a rather old-fashioned and characterful place to pause during your visit.
If you are exploring Westminster, it is easy to combine Westminster Cathedral with other nearby landmarks, including Westminster Abbey, Methodist Central Hall and the wider streets of historic Westminster.
Why Westminster Cathedral Is Worth Visiting
Westminster Cathedral may sometimes be overshadowed by Westminster Abbey, but it deserves to be considered a major London landmark in its own right.
Its story encompasses religious change, Victorian architecture, royal connections, famous visitors and the transformation of Westminster itself.
Most importantly, its Byzantine architecture makes it visually and historically different from many of London’s other great churches.
So, next time you find yourself in Westminster, don’t simply look towards the Abbey. Take a closer look at the distinctive red-brick tower of Westminster Cathedral and discover the fascinating story behind this remarkable building.
Call to Action: Explore Westminster with London Guided Walks
Westminster is full of stories that are easy to miss when you are simply passing between the famous landmarks. From royal connections and political history to unusual buildings and lesser-known stories, exploring the area on foot brings its history to life.
Why not discover more of Westminster with London Guided Walks? Join our Westminster walking tours to uncover more stories behind London’s historic landmarks.
And if you visit Westminster Cathedral, make time to experience the cathedral’s tower for spectacular views across London.
