London - Houses of Parliament

 
The Houses of Parliament are officially known as the Palace of Westminster, recalling the fact that they occupy the site of a former royal palace, originally built by Edward the Confessor and enlarged by William the Conqueror and William Rufus. Westminster Hall was built by William Rufus (1097-99). The whole palace was destroyed by a catastrophic fire in 1512, with the exception of Westminster Hall, the 14th century St Stephen's Chapel and the Crypt.

Must-see attractions nearby:
Until 1529, when Henry VIII acquired the neighboring Whitehall Palace, the Palace of Westminster was a royal residence. In 1547 it became the seat of Parliament, the House of Commons meeting in St Stephen's Chapel and the House of Lords in a hall at the south end of Old Palace Yard. In 1605 a group of Roman Catholics led by Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament; and to this day, before the state opening of Parliament, the vaults are searched by Yeomen of the Guard in their traditional uniform.
Address: House of Commons Public Information Office, London SW1A 0AA, England
Tips: Admission times for the House of Lords are: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:30 p.m. (Thursday also from 3 p.m.); Friday from 11am. Admission times for the House of Commons are: Monday-Thursday from 4:30 p.m.; Friday from 9:30am. Visitors obtain a permit for admission at the Admission Order Office in St Stephen's Hall and wait there to be conducted to the Strangers' Gallery of the respective House. The Palace of Westminster may be viewed only by prior appointment. United Kingdom residents should contact their local Member of Parliament; visitors from overseas should apply in writing to the Public Information Office.
Transit: Underground: Westminster; Buses: 3, 11, 12, 24, 29, 53, 70, 77, 77a.

Related Attractions

Read More House of Commons

Read More House of Lords

Read More Houses of Parliament-Royal Chambers

Read More London Parliament - Victoria Tower

Read More Royal Entrance

Read More St Stephen's Hall

Read More State Opening of Parliament

Read More Westminster Hall

Parliament at sunset in London.Parliament at sunset in London.
Parliament and Westminster seen from London Eye.Parliament and Westminster seen from London Eye.
Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London.Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London.
House of Parliament and bridge seen from the south bank in London.House of Parliament and bridge seen from the south bank in London.
Houses of Parliament reflecting on the water at night in London.Houses of Parliament reflecting on the water at night in London.
Suggest Correction  Suggest an Attraction
©Copyright 1995-2012 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved.
Unauthorized duplication in part or whole without prior written consent prohibited by international laws.
x
Pictures of London
Row of Houses in London. Be sure to check out our awesome photos of London!