From Palace to Parliament

Though most of what we see of the Houses of Parliament dates back to the mid-19th century, the site of the existing structure was first used as a palace by the Anglo Saxons in the first half of the 11th century. The Normans adopted the palace a few decades later, and it was not until the 13th century that it was tied to any seat of government. As far as historians know, 1259 was the first year that Parliament was opened in Westminster Palace’s Painted Chamber. The palace was not formally handed over the Parliament by the monarchy until Henry VIII left in favour of Whitehall Palace in 1512.

The House of Lords and House of Commons met in the medieval palace until the Great Fire of 1834, which destroyed a vast majority of the building. There are four major sections of the palace that can still be traced to its original medieval construction: The Jewel Tower, Westminster Hall, the Cloisters and Chapter House of St Stephen’s and the Chapel of St Mary's Undercroft.

Risen from the Ashes

Most of what visitors see of the Houses of Parliament today can be attributed to reconstruction following the great fire in 1834. Architect Sir Charles Barry was placed in charge of the new design of the palace, and fashioned a layout specifically suited for the Houses of Parliament.

He chose a perpendicular neo-Gothic style to make an imposing statement and blend beautifully with the surviving portions of the medieval palace. The building is flanked by two towers - Victoria Tower and Elizabeth Tower. The latter is also known, incorrectly, as Big Ben and has come to be a universal symbol of London. Standing over 90 metres tall, the tower that holds the bell of Big Ben first opened on 7 September 1859.

Today, the Houses of Parliament play as pivotal a role as ever, leaving the significance of the grounds unbroken for nearly 1000 years. The scale of Barry’s 19th century reconstruction is something that is best viewed in person. The intricate structure contains over 1,000 rooms, and nearly 5 km of passageways. Though it has not been a royal residence for over 500 years, it wasn’t until the 1960s that the royal family officially turned over a majority of the building to Parliament.

Join a Guided Tour

Visitors are welcome to attend regular guided tours of the Houses of Parliament. These tours not only introduce participants to the various halls and spaces in the palace, but also further detail the history and significance of the building.

Hotels near the Houses of Parliament are among the most sought-after in London. Not only are they within close proximity to many of Central London’s most famous sights, but they also enjoy convenient transportation links to the rest of London. A flurry of iconic double-decker buses, underground trains, and river ferries swirl around the base of Big Ben throughout the day. This historic heart of London is not something to be missed.

Book online now or call us on 0871 942 9100 and quote "IGCOR".