Visiting timetableClosed
Monday, February 2, 2026
Westminster Abbey, London SW1P 3PA, United Kingdom
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Henry VII Lady Chapel at Westminster: Fan Vaulting Guide

Discover Henry VII’s Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey—its fan vaulting, Tudor symbolism, stained glass, and royal burials.

12/2/2025
17 min read
Exquisite fan‑vaulted ceiling of Henry VII’s Lady Chapel

Stone turned lace: the Lady Chapel’s fan vaulting is England’s late‑Gothic encore.

Highlights

  • Unrivalled fan vaults by master mason Robert Janyns the Younger.
  • Tudor badges (portcullis, rose) weave politics into ornament.
  • Burial place of Henry VII, Elizabeth of York, and later monarchs.

Fan vaults

How It Works

  • Conoid shells spring from slender shafts; ribs are decorative and structural.
  • Light filters through intricate tracery to gilded stalls below.

Visiting Tips

  • Bring binoculars to study bosses and pendants.
  • Midday light best reveals rib shadows and depth.

Bottom Line

An architectural love letter to dynasty and devotion.

About the Author

Architecture & Craft Editor

Architecture & Craft Editor

I built this to help you enjoy Westminster Abbey calmly—smarter timing, kinder routes, and context that makes chapels and stories sing.

Tags

Henry VII Lady Chapel
fan vaulting
Tudor
stained glass
Gothic

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