The Palace of Westminster, also known as Houses of Parliament, is the seat of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
It is the seat of both Houses of Parliament, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The Palace of Westminster also includes the famous Elizabeth Clock Tower, which is best known as Big Ben.
Architecture and history
First built in 1097 as the residence of the kings, only the Westminster Hall survives from this period and is the oldest original part of the entire palace. The palace was first built by the Viking ruler Canute the Great on a strategic site not on the banks of the Thames.
The palace has been modified and rebuilt many times over the centuries, but has always more or less fulfilled its original role. It served either as the seat of the monarch or as a place where decisions about the running of the country were made.
Most of the present building dates from the 19th century, when, after the previous and legendary Great Fire of London in 1843, the palace was almost entirely burnt down and subsequently rebuilt.
The neo-Gothic jewel and the 4 towers of the palace
An architectural competition was launched for the construction of the new palace, in which more than 50 architects took part.
In the end, the winners were Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin, who designed the new Palace of Westminster in the neo-Gothic style to reflect history as closely as possible. Construction began in 1840 and was not completed until more than 30 years later.
The Houses of Parliament have 4 towers: the Victoria Tower, which is the tallest, the Central Tower, St Stephen's Tower and the most famous Elizabeth Tower. This tower houses the famous clock and 5 bells with the largest, most famous and almost 14 tonne bell , Big Ben.
Visit and entrance fee
The Palace of Westminster is still the main part of the British Parliament, so visiting the inside is limited to days when there are no meetings taking place. These are almost exclusively on Saturdays and selected British public holidays.
You can visit the Palace of Westminster on your own or with a guide.
Ideally book your tickets at least 14 days in advance online at ukparliament.seetickets.com.
Ticket prices are as follows:
- Audio Tour on your own - 26 gbp
- Guided Tour - 34 gbp
Official website: parliament.uk
How to get to the Palace?
The Palace of Westminster lies on the banks of the Thames right in the centre of London opposite Westminster Abbey, with the London Eye observation wheel rising skywards across the river.
The main entrance is on Victoria Embankment (see location on map).
The palace can be reached by the following tube and bus lines:
- Underground - Westminster station
- Jubilee Line
- District + Circle Lines
- Buses - Westminster stop
- Lines 3, 11, 12, 148, 159, C10, 453
Hotels near Westminster
The Palace of Westminster is at the heart of London and living in its surroundings means you'll be at the centre of all the action.
But that's matched by the prices: the cheapest The Sanctuary House Hotel located between Parliament and St. James's Park offers a night in a 2-bed room from 257 eur.
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