Big Ben by night and the Westminster bridge
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Walking tour

2 hours

Easy

The best tour to get to know the Palace of Westminster and the south bank

The Palace of Westminster serves as the meeting place for both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Informally known as the Houses of Parliament, the Palace lies on the north bank of the River Thames in the City of Westminster, in central London, England.

Its name, which derives from the neighbouring Westminster Abbey, may refer to several historic structures but most often: the Old Palace, a medieval building-complex largely destroyed by fire in 1834, or its replacement, the New Palace that stands today. The palace is owned by the Crown. Committees appointed by both houses manage the building and report to the Speaker of the House of Commons and to the Lord Speaker.

What's included?
  • Entry or admission fee
  • WiFi
Exclusions
  • Tip or gratuity
  • Parking fees
  • Food & drinks

The Palace of Westminster functioned as the English monarchs' principal residence in the late Medieval period. The predecessors of Parliament, the Witan and the Curia Regis , met in Westminster Hall (although they followed the King when he moved to other palaces). Simon de Montfort's Parliament , the first to include representatives of the major towns, met at the Palace in 1265. The " Model Parliament ", the first official Parliament of England, met there in 1295, [9] and almost all subsequent English Parliaments and then, after 1707, all British Parliaments have met at the Palace.

Please note
  • Public transportation nearby

The Palace of Westminster functioned as the English monarchs' principal residence in the late Medieval period. The predecessors of Parliament, the Witan and the Curia Regis , met in Westminster Hall (although they followed the King when he moved to other palaces). Simon de Montfort's Parliament , the first to include representatives of the major towns, met at the Palace in 1265. The " Model Parliament ", the first official Parliament of England, met there in 1295, [9] and almost all subsequent English Parliaments and then, after 1707, all British Parliaments have met at the Palace.

What to bring

    The tower is a British cultural icon recognised all over the world. It is one of the most prominent symbols of the United Kingdom and parliamentary democracy, [7] and it is often used in the establishing shot of films set in London. [8] The clock tower has been part of a Grade I listed building since 1970 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. [9]