Houses of Parliament

Click Photo for Slideshow Palace of Westminster Westminster London Greater London SW1A 0AA

The Houses of Parliament, otherwise known as The Palace of Westminster, stands on the site where Edward the Confessor had the original palace built in the first half of the 11th century. In 1547 the royal residence was moved to Whitehall Palace, but the Lords continued to meet at Westminster, while the commons met in St. Stephen's Chapel. Ever since these early times, the Palace of Westminster has been home to the English Parliament.

In 1834 a fire broke out which destroyed much of the old palace, all that remained was the chapel crypt, The Jewel Tower and Westminster Hall. It was Lord Melbourne, the Prime Minister, who saved the great hall by arranging for the fire

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engines to be brought right into the hall and personally supervising the fire fighting operation.

The magnificent Gothic Revival masterpiece you see today was built between 1840 and 1888, this was the work of Charles Barry who designed the buildings to blend with nearby Westminster Abbey. The two imposing towers, well known landmarks in London, are the clock tower, actually called St. Stephen's Tower, but more commonly known as Big Ben - (the name of the after it's thirteen ton bell within), and Victoria tower, on whose flag pole the Union Jack flies when parliament is sitting. Much of the Victorian detail of the interior was the work of Barry's assistant Augustus Pugin.

Entrance to Westminster Hall is permitted only as part of a guided tour, otherwise it can be viewed from St. Stephen's porch above. The hall measuring 240 feet by 60 feet has an impressive hammerbeam roof of oak and is one of the most imposing medieval halls in Europe. In this noble setting coronation banquets were held until 1821. It was used as England's highest court of law until the nineteenth century and it was here that Guy Fawkes was tried for attempting to blow up the House of Lords on 5th November 1605. The statue of Oliver Cromwell, which stands outside the hall, reminds us it was here in 1653 that he was sworn in as Lord Protector.The route to the upper and lower houses takes you through the huge wooden doors into St. Stephen's hall. The vaulted ceiling and murals were designed by Barry to replicate the medieval chapel where the commons met until 1834. From here you are ushered into the well known octagonal Central Lobby, whose tiled walls are inscribed with Latin mottos. This is the central meeting place where constituents can meet or "lobby" their Members of Parliament. It is from here that you will be shown your direction either to the House of Lords or Commons.

House of Commons

An incendiary bomb destroyed the House of Commons in 1941.

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A reconstruction of Barry's original design for the house, taken from St. Stephen's chapel, the commons old meeting place, was completed in 1950. The seating arrangement in the house is reminiscent of choir stalls, the members of the cabinet sit on the front benches while opposition senior members sit directly opposite. The distance between the benches marked out on the floor in red lines, is exactly two sword lengths and one foot apart. Members are not allowed to cross these lines, thus ensuring that debates are kept orderly. In the centre of the floor stands the Table of the House, on which the mace is placed at the start of each parliamentary sitting; this is the Speaker's sceptre. The speaker of the house presides over sittings, keeping order.

House of Lords

The House of Lords decorated in scarlet and gold has all the grandeur one would expect in this chamber. This is where Her Majesty the Queen comes to open Parliament each November. Placed beneath a regal canopy, the gold throne which dominates the house is where the Queen sits to deliver the traditional opening speech. The Lord Chancellor sits opposite, on the famous Woolsack, this is a large scarlet cushion filled with wool, a tradition dating back to the middle ages when wool was England's largest export.

Visiting the Houses of Parliament.

Entry is through St. Stephen's Entrance, where you can join a queue for the public galleries, known as Strangers Galleries. Debates in the commons take place on Mon. Tues. and Thurs. from 2-30 pm; Wed. & Fri. from 9-30 am.

The busiest and most interesting time to visit the House is during Prime Minister's Question Time. If you wish to attend Prime Minister's Question Time you must book a ticket through your MP or your embassy. Prime Minister's Question Time is on Wed. from 12pm - 12-30pm.

The House of Lords sit on Mon. - Wed. From 2-30; On Thurs. From 3pm; If a sitting takes place on Friday it commences at 11am.

Both houses recess at Christmas, Easter and from August to mid October.

Video

Opening Times

(2012 times) On Saturdays and during the Summer Opening, UK residents and overseas visitors can buy tickets to tour Parliament. For full details of tours please visit the website www.parliament.uk/

Admission Charges

(2012 prices) Admission to both houses is free. Although admission to the Houses of Parliament Strangers Gallery to observe debate is free, there may be in some cases a guiding cost in relation to tours for constituents and other interested parties, arranged through Members of Parliament.

Directions

Nearest Tube Station : Westminster

Show map of Houses of Parliament...

Houses of Parliament Postcode for SatNav: SW1A 0AA

Contact

Nearby Attractions

• Big Ben (<1 Mile)*
  Most people are surprised to learn that Big Ben is not the landmark clock which adjoins London's Houses of Parliament. It is the name of the largest of the five bells which hang in the Clock Tower.
  
• Westminster Abbey (<1 Mile)*
  The Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster, better known as Westminster Abbey, holds a unique place in Britain's history.
  
• 10 Downing Street (<1 Mile)*
  No. 10 Downing Street, with its famous black front door - the backdrop to many historical announcements, has been the official residence of Britain's Prime Minister since 1732.
  

Nearby Self Catering

Red Lion Square (1 Mile)* Our property in Red Lion Square is a beautiful, traditional, London red brick apartment building on this famous Bloomsbury Garden Square, complete with plane trees and open-air cafe.

Sloane Club Suites (1 Mile)* The Club Suites are part of Londons prestigious private members club, The Sloane Club, which provides a safe, quiet and comfortable place to stay in central and fashionable Chelsea.

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more self catering near Houses of Parliament ...

* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

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Nearby Attractions

• Big Ben (<1 Mile)* Most people are surprised to learn that Big Ben is not the landmark clock which adjoins London's Houses of Parliament. It is the name of the largest of the five bells which hang in the Clock Tower.
  
• Westminster Abbey (<1 Mile)* The Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster, better known as Westminster Abbey, holds a unique place in Britain's history.
  
• 10 Downing Street (<1 Mile)* No. 10 Downing Street, with its famous black front door - the backdrop to many historical announcements, has been the official residence of Britain's Prime Minister since 1732.
  
• Churchill War Rooms (<1 Mile)* Visit the Churchill War Rooms, part of Imperial War Museums, to discover the original Cabinet War Rooms, the wartime bunker which sheltered Churchill and his staff during the Blitz.
  
• EDF Energy London Eye (<1 Mile)* EDF Energy London Eye is the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel. Situated on the South Bank of the Rive Thames EDF Energy London Eye, is a focal point of the Nation's celebration of the New Century.
  
• The Cenotaph (<1 Mile)* The War memorial, known the world over as The Cenotaph, is situated in London's Whitehall; it was originally built of wood and plaster, for the first anniversary of the armistice in 1919.
• The Household Cavalry Museum (<1 Mile)* The Household Cavalry Museum is unlike any other military museum because it offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at the work of the Household Cavalry.
  
• Garden Museum (<1 Mile)* The Garden Museum (formerly the Museum of Garden History) aims to become the leading national venue for exhibitions and debate on gardens and garden design.
  
• Trafalgar Square (1 Mile)* Trafalgar Square, set in central London, is one of Britain's great tourist attractions. A visit to the capital would be incomplete without going to this most famous of landmarks.
  
• Nelson's Column (1 Mile)* Nelson's Column is the focal point of Trafalgar Square. Admiral Nelson was one of Britain's best-loved heroes, who fought valiantly for his country.
  

Nearby Towns

• London (1 Mile)* With hundreds of years of history, yet a vibrant modern feel - there's nowhere in the world like London. No wonder it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
  
• London Borough of Southwark (2 Miles)* The London Borough of Southwark is situated directly opposite the City of London on the south bank of the River Thames. It is one of the boroughs which form Inner London.
  
• City of London (2 Miles)* The square mile which is known as "The City" in London is situated on the north bank of the River Thames.
  
• London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (4 Miles)* The Royal London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is an exclusive central borough on the west side of London. It is situated on the banks of the River Thames
  
• London Borough of Greenwich (6 Miles)* The London Borough of Greenwich is situated on the south bank of the River Thames, on the east side of London.
  
• London Borough of Haringey (6 Miles)* The London Borough of Haringey is in North London, beyond the central boroughs of The London Borough of Islington and The London Borough of Hackney
  
• Croydon (8 Miles)* Croydon at first glace may appear as a soulless concrete jungle, But under this visage is a hidden gem in south London. Visitors will find Croydon a great place to visit day or night.
  
• London Borough of Ealing (8 Miles)* The London Borough of Ealing is situated to the west of London, adjoining the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to the east.
  
• Richmond-upon-Thames (9 Miles)* Richmond is a handsome town on the river Thames and is a most attractive place either to live in or to visit.
  
• Edgware (9 Miles)* Known to most Londoners simply as the name of a road and one of three final destinations for north-bound Northern Line trains, Edgware marks the northern edge of the suburban sprawl of Greater London.