As Queen's resting place opens to the public, other famous UK graves to visit

The late Queen's final place of rest has now been opened to the public following the period of National Mourning.

Queen Elizabeth II, who died on 8 September 2022 at 96-years-old, is buried at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, which re-opened on Thursday 29 September.

Her body lays to rest at the King George VI memorial chapel, an annex to the main chapel.

The Royal Collection Trust website states that St George's Chapel will be open to visitors unless you are visiting Windsor Castle on a Sunday, when the Chapel is only open to those attending a service.

However, you can book a visit online for £28.50 on Saturdays and £26.50 on other days, with lower price variations for young people, children and those with a disability.

Children under five go free, and there are also family and group offers available.

The Queen has been buried with her husband the late Prince Philip, who died on 9 April 2021 at 99-years-old. His body was moved from the Royal Vault of St George's Chapel to the Memorial Chapel, where her father, King George VI, and her mother Queen Elizabeth also lay, and where ashes of her sister, Princess Margaret have been buried.

The new ledger stone marking her final resting place is made of hand-carved Belgian black marble and reads in brass lettering: "George VI/1895-1952”, “Elizabeth/1900-2002” “Elizabeth II/1926-2022” and “Philip/1921-2021”.

Other late Royals buried at St George's Chapel include King Henry VIII and Charles I.

And if you've been inspired to pay your respects to other notable figures in history, here are some of the many other famous UK graves you can plan a visit to next.

Florence Nightingale, St Margaret of Antioch Churchyard, Hampshire

Florence Nightingale's grave can be found at St. Margaret of Antioch Churchyard, in the village of Wellow in Hampshire. While the founder of modern nursing, reformer and statistician died in 1910 at 90-years-old, the church itself was established as far back as 1215.

Westminster Abbey was offered to Nightingale's family, but it was declined due to provisions in her will. St Margaret's Church is home to the Nightingale family memorial, allowing her to be buried alongside her parents, and nearby her family home in Embley Park.

While you can visit the church, note it is also home to a "lively" community in Wellow and holds regular services.

William Shakespeare, Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon

Next time you're in Stratford-upon-Avon, visit arguably one of the most famous graves of all time. Shakespeare was baptised at Holy Trinity Church in 1564, worshipped there and was then laid to rest there in 1616.

True to 'Shakespearean' style, the inscription at the head of the stone seems to address the reader and warn against anyone "that moves my bones".

The church is found just a 10-minute walk from the town centre and is free to enter, though you might be asked to pay a donation to see the grave itself.

Jane Austen, Winchester Cathedral, Winchester

Jane Austen died in Winchester in 1817, and was laid to rest at the city's Cathedral. The epitaph seen on the ledger is written by her late brother.

"In Memory of Jane Austen, youngest daughter of the late Rev George Austen, formerly Rector of Steventon in this County, she departed this Life on the 18th of July 1817, aged 41, after a long illness supported with the patience and the hopes of a Christian," it reads.

"The benevolence of her heart, the sweetness of her temper and the extraordinary endowments of her mind obtained the regard of all who knew her, and the warmest love of her intimate connections.

"Their grief is in proportion to their affection they know their loss to be irreparable, but in their deepest affliction they are consoled by a firm though humble hope that her charity, devotion, faith and purity have rendered her soul acceptance in the sight of her Redeemer."

It has been commented that it doesn't acknowledge her literary achievements.

You can see both the floor marker and accompanying wall memorial of Austen for just a donation.

Charles Darwin, Westminster Abbey, London

Charles Robert Dawrin, the world famous naturalist, lays to rest in the north aisle of the nave of Westminster Abbey, following his death in 1882.

When the Dean of Westminster, George Granville Bradley, the Westminster Abbey website reports, was away in France he received a telegram from the President of the Royal Society in London requesting, "...it would be acceptable to a very large number of our fellow countrymen of all classes and opinions that our illustrious countryman, Mr Darwin, should be buried in Westminster Abbey", which the Dean didn't hesitate to accept.

You can buy tickets to visit Westminster Abbey on most days of the week, though it might need to close some areas as a working church or have reduced hours occasionally.

Sir Isaac Newton, Westminster Abbey, London

Sir Isaac Newton, who we have to thank for the theory of gravity, also lays to rest nearby Darwin in Westminster Abbey. He died in Kensington in March 1727 and his body was taken to lie in state in the Jerusalem Chamber, before his coffin was taken to its grave by members of the Fellows of the Royal Society.

His monument also stands in the nave against the choir screen, featuring boys using instruments related to Newton's mathematical and optical work, his role as Master of the Mint represented, and his right elbow resting on several books representing his work.

Sir Winston Churchill, The Parish Church of Saint Martin Bladon, Bladon

The former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill lays to rest at the cemetery of St Martin's in Bladon, a village and civil parish on the River Glyme.

Churchill, known for leading Britain in the Second World War, died in 1965 and was honoured with a state funeral before being buried next to his parents and brother.

The churchyard is open every day, as are visitors who wish to pay their respects at the grave, or see the Churchill Memorial Window, which was unveiled by the new Queen Consort in 2015.

The Church's website states: "We ask all visitors to remember that, although in a public place, Sir Winston’s grave is a private grave, maintained by a family trust – so we ask you not to leave memorabilia or flowers of your own.

"Fresh flowers are always placed on the grave every week, the cost being met by the trust and members of Sir Winston’s family."

Before visiting any of the above, check the current opening times and regulations. Which famous graves are you hoping to pay your respects at?

Watch: Picture of Queen's ledger stone released ahead of chapel opening to public