Palace of Westminster

Welcome to the Palace of Westminster, the majestic seat of the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Standing on the north bank of the River Thames, this perpendicular…

At the northeastern end of the palace stands its most famous feature: the Elizabeth Tower, more commonly known as Big Ben. It is a vital distinction to make: 'Big Ben' is actually the name of the massive 13.5-ton bell housed…

As we enter the palace complex, we encounter its oldest and most historic part: Westminster Hall. Built in 1097 under William Rufus, it is one of the largest medieval halls in Europe with an unsupported roof. …

The Palace of Westminster is the functional heart of the British government, divided into two distinct chambers. To the north lies the House of Commons, where 650 elected Members of Parliament (MPs) meet to debate and vote on…

At the southwestern end of the palace stands the Victoria Tower, the tallest of the three main towers. Named in honor of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, it serves a critical but often overlooked function: it is the repository…

Just across the street from the main palace complex lies a small, easily missed stone structure: the Jewel Tower. Built around 1365 by King Edward III, this tower was part of the original medieval Palace of Westminster. …

We conclude our exploration of the Palace of Westminster in Parliament Square, a wide-open space that serves as a stage for both world-class statuary and ongoing political demonstration. The square is adorned with statues of…

As we look back at the Palace of Westminster, glowing perhaps in the golden light of a London sunset, we are witnessing the architectural embodiment of the British constitution. It is a building that has seen the transition from…