Conservation viewing area opens
Friday, 26th February 2016
Westminster Abbey has opened a new conservation studio in the cloisters, offering visitors the opportunity to watch as objects are prepared for display in The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries.
The temporary studio has been opened as work is carried out on items from the Abbey's collection, including royal funeral effigies, textiles, paintings and metal and stone objects. The viewing area will be open when conservation work is carried out during visitor opening hours.
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries will enable the public to see treasures from the Abbey's collection, many of which will be displayed for the first time. The Galleries will also provide an entirely new perspective on the Abbey's interior from 70 feet up –a view described by John Betjeman as the best in Europe.
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries are due to open in early 2018. The project is the next phase of the Abbey's development plan, 2020 Vision, which set an agenda to improve facilities for the Abbey's two million worshippers and visitors. HM The Queen opened the Abbey's Education Centre in May 2010 and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh opened the Cellarium Café and Terrace in October 2012. A new Song School for the Abbey's world-famous Choir opened in 2015 and further visitor facilities are planned.
