With the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on Saturday 6 May 2023 RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey took a trip into the heart of Westminster, central London to visit Westminster Abbey, go on a touch tour of the Abbey for blind and partially sighted people and also find out about the history of Westminster Abbey which has been the Coronation Church since 1066 from Scott Craddock, Westminster Abbey Head of Visitor Experience.

The touch tour was laid by Westminster Abbey Guides Bruce and his wife Dolly, starting by the Coronation Chair (sadly not able to be touched), then into the Lady Chapel and the Tomb of Elizabeth I, on then to standing at the cross point of Westminster Abbey where the Coronation Chair will be placed for King Charles III Coronation and likewise for many past coronations including Henry VIII’s Coronation. Bruce and Dolly then took Toby to the choir stalls where Toby was able to explore some of the wood carving and one of the gold candle lanterns before finally visiting the grave of the unknown worrier.

Scott told Toby all about the Abbey’s offer for blind and partially sighted people including the touch tours and a recorded audio described guide, then some of the history of Westminster Abbey, explaining some of the key areas that visitors come to see and explore and how the Abbey manages the role of being a church and also a visitor attraction.

if you would like to book a touch tour of Westminster Abbey or find out more about their services for blind and partially sighted people do email the Visitor Experience team on [email protected], call them on 020 7222 5152 or visit the Abbey’s website -

https://www.westminster-abbey.org

Image shows the British Flag. In a white circle in the middle it reads: 'The Coronationof His Majesty King Charles III & Her Majesty The Queen Consort', an image of a crown is placed underneath the text with '6-8 May 2023' written below the crown. In the bottom left corner is the RNIB logo. RNIB in capital black letters, underlined with a pink bold line and 'See differently' written beneath it.