I have heard that you can do rubbings at Westminster Abbey.
I would love to have a rubbing of Dickens headstone. I am
wondering if anyone knows if this is something that is permitted.
We will be in England in June. Thanks for any information.

The rubbings you speak of are of brass etchings. There is a place to buy souvenirs after you come out of the cloisters where you can pick a design to rub. As far as I know you are not allowed to rub the stones. In any church or museum in Europe you're usually not even allowed to touch anything, so I doubt Westminster Abbey is any different. You may have to settle for a postcard as pictures aren't usually allowed either, due to flash photography's damaging effects.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but
I don't believe you can do "gravestone
rubbings"...there are "brass rubbings" you
can do, which are located around the
sides of the abbey.

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We did brass rubbings at the St. Martin's in the Field church at Trafalgar Square (I think?). You go in a side down and down into the basement. There's a little gift shop, restaurant and then the place for brass rubbings. You pay to do it and i think it may depend on the size of the brass plate. They provide the materials. I remember seeing a sign for brass rubbings in Westminster Abbey, though we didn't do it. There was a fee and they provided the plates. As far as I know, you cannot do rubbings of any other sort on your own in either place.

I have been to St. Martin in the Field (near to the national art Gallery) to do brass rubbings - they have quite a selection from small to large and the attendants are very helpful in getting you started. Actually it is quite addictive! I went back twice. Hope you enjoy it. Fiona