How to Visit Laurence Olivier's Grave

Sir Laurence Olivier was a popular and critically acclaimed actor who created many memorable characters on the stage and screen. He is best known in the United States as a film star from his commendable work in "Rebecca," "The Entertainer," "Spartacus" and his under appreciated turn in "Bunny Lake is Missing." King George VI knighted Olivier in 1947 and Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the title of "Baron Olivier of Brighton" in 1970. In 1991, Olivier was buried in Westminster Abbey, a popular London tourist attraction.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Study the visiting hours for Westminster Abby on the official website (see Resources below). Generally, the Abbey is open from 9:15 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The last admission occurs at 3:30 p.m. Westminster Abbey closes for special events and for official state functions. The Abbey is open to the public on weekdays and Saturdays, but Sunday is reserved as a traditional day of worship. You can contact the Abbey by phone if you call 020-7222-5152.
2. Employ public transportation. Westminster Abbey is located in the center of London, near Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. You can take a London bus to the Abbey, or travel to the two railway stations. You'll find two London Underground stations nearby: St James's Park (District and Circle Lines) and Westminster (Jubilee, District & Circle Lines).
3. Pay the admission cost. Westminster Abbey receives no money from the government or the Church of England, so its operating costs come from admissions and offerings.
4. Find Poet's Corner in the South Transept, due south of the High Altar. Poet's Corner is reserved for famous authors, writers and entertainers.
5. Locate Olivier's headstone on the corridor floor near the monuments to Shakespeare and Chaucer.

Tips & Warnings

• Westminster Abbey is rich in history, so while you are visiting Olivier's grave, visit the graves of other famous men and women, such as Chaucer, Charles Darwin and Elizabeth I. Also, take time to look at the monuments to those who were buried elsewhere, such as Shakespeare.
• Westminster Abbey still functions as a church. No photography is allowed inside, but postcards are available in the gift shop.
• People have been buried at Westminster Abbey for almost 800 years, so it's easy to walk by a plot several times before finding it.