The Houses of Parliament in England, also known as the Palace of Westminster, is the location of the two houses of the British parliament; the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

The Palace of Westminster has been the home of the House of Lords since its inception in 1265, but it was not until 1547 after Henry VIII had relocated the Royal Court from Westminster to Whitehall Palace that the House of Commons was also given a permanent home here.

In 1834, a fire started, sparked by the stove used to burn tally sticks, igniting the wooden panelling in the House of Lords.

A contest was held to choose the rebuilding design, and architect Charles Barry was chosen. He designed the new buildings in Perpendicular Gothic style which was quite popular at the time. The interiors were fitted out in quite an elaborate fashion, with carvings, stained glass, deep panelling and gilt throughout. It took nearly 30 years to complete the new Palace but the results were well worth the wait.

The Houses of Parliament were damaged numerous times by bombs during the Second World War, and extensive repairs were carried at the end of wartime.

One of the most famous towers at the Houses of Parliament is the clock tower that houses the massive bell called Big Ben.

Victoria Tower is opposite Big Ben; it contains the Parliamentary Archives and flies the Union Flag on its peak, or the Royal Standard if the Sovereign is at the Palace.

At the middle of the Palace stands the Central Tower, at 300 feet it is the shortest of the three main towers.

The House of Commons meets in the Commons Chamber, but its green benches and stark décor is in rather sharp contrast to the luxuriously appointed Lords Chamber. The Lords Chamber is the home of the House of Lords and also the place where all the elements of the parliament meet together.

The Houses of Parliament are a fascinating window into British government and definitely worth a trip.

Visiting Houses of Parliament

Parliament Square, St Margaret's Street, Westminster, SW1A 0AA

Telephone: 0844 209 0381

Opening Times

Mondays & Tuesdays 2.30pm-10.30pm, Wednesdays 11.30am-7.30pm, Thursdays 10.30am-6.30pm, Fridays 9.30am-3pm | Times apply to the House of Commons main chamber. Westminster Hall: Mondays & Tuesdays 9am-12noon, Wed 9am-9.20am & 9.25am-12noon, Fridays 3.30pm-5pm. Prime Minister's Question Time: Wednesdays

Ticket Prices

FREE (Adult), FREE (Child) | Tours £11.70 (Adults), £7.80 (Concs), £4.80 (Children 5 to 15), £29.20 (Family)

Photo courtesy: wwarby

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