HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT
The Houses of Parliament are held in Westminster Palace. Here, the House of Commons and the House of Lords of the United Kingdom sit. Originally created by Edward the Confessor in the 11th century, the building has long been used as a royal residence, even if no monarch has lived there since the 16th century. The oldest part of the palace, Westminster Hall, dates back to 1097. The rest of the building dates back to the 19th century because, in 1834, a gigantic fire destroyed the medieval palace, sparing only Westminster Hall, the 13th century crypt and the cloister of the St. Stephen's Chapel. The four-storey palace has more than 1,100 rooms. It is one of the jewels of neo-Gothic architecture designed by the architect Sir Charles Barry, who was largely inspired by the Tudor period. It is within the Westminster Palace that you can also discover The Clock Tower, home to Big Ben. The tower was renamed The Elizabeth Tower in 2012 following the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee celebration. After visiting the Houses of Parliament, you will understand how the United Kingdom Parliament works, how the House of Lords is organized and how the House of Commons is organized. Decorated with picturesque anecdotes, the place is pleasant to discover, the nerve centre of the United Kingdom's political power, still cluttered today with protocols and many traditions. The bright red rooms reserved for the Lords contrast with the bright green rooms of the deputies.
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
Book the Best Activities with Get Your Guide
Members' reviews on HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.