Palace of Westminster
Meeting place of the UK Parliament, a symbol of British government.
The Palace of Westminster, the meeting place of the Parliament of the United Kingdom in London, is colloquially known as the Houses of Parliament. It houses the House of Commons and the House of Lords, making it a central hub of British political life. The name "Westminster" itself has become a metonym for the UK Parliament and government, and the Westminster system of government is named after the palace. Its Elizabeth Tower contains the famous bell known as Big Ben, a prominent landmark. The palace has been a Grade I listed building since 1970 and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Originally constructed in the eleventh century as a royal residence, it served as the primary home of English kings until a fire in 1512 destroyed the royal apartments. The monarch then moved to the nearby Palace of Whitehall, but the rest of the palace continued to house the Parliament of England, which had met there since the thirteenth century. A second, larger fire in 1834 destroyed most of the palace, though the eleventh-century Westminster Hall was saved and incorporated into the replacement building. Architect Charles Barry won the competition to design the new palace, choosing a Gothic Revival style. Construction began in 1840 and lasted thirty years, plagued by delays, cost overruns, and the deaths of Barry and his assistant Augustus Pugin. The resulting palace is notable for its ornate decoration and helped spread Gothic Revival architecture elsewhere. It contains chambers for the Commons, Lords, and the monarch. Extensive repairs were needed after the Second World War, including rebuilding the destroyed Commons chamber, and further conservation work has been carried out since, though the palace still requires some repairs.
- location
- London, England
- architect
- Charles Barry (with Augustus Pugin)
- style
- Gothic Revival (Perpendicular Gothic)
- notable_feature
- Elizabeth Tower with bell nicknamed Big Ben
Quick Facts
- Architectural Style
- Perpendicular Gothic Revival
- Years Built
- 1016 and later (original building) / 1840–1876 (reconstructed)
- Address
- Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA, United Kingdom
- Destruction Date
- 1834 (due to fire)
- Architect
- Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin
- Owner
- King Charles III in right of the Crown
- Floor Area
- 112476 m2
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Palace of Westminster, situated in London, serves as the meeting place for the United Kingdom’s Parliament and is commonly called the Houses of Parliament. Its most recognizable feature is the Elizabeth Tower, which houses the bell known as Big Ben, making it a prominent landmark. The building is a Grade I listed structure and forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The original palace was constructed in the eleventh century as a royal residence for English kings, but after a fire destroyed the royal apartments in 1512, the monarch relocated, and the palace became the permanent home of Parliament, which had convened there since the thirteenth century. A much larger fire in 1834 destroyed most of the palace, though the eleventh-century Westminster Hall survived. The subsequent rebuilding competition was won by architect Charles Barry, who adopted a Gothic Revival style. Construction began in 1840 and lasted thirty years, marked by delays and cost overruns. The new palace is noted for its elaborate ornamentation and contains chambers for the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the monarch. After Second World War damage, extensive repairs were undertaken, including the reconstruction of the destroyed Commons chamber. The palace’s defining characteristics include its Gothic Revival architecture, its role as the centre of UK political life, and the survival of Westminster Hall from the original medieval structure.
Reader's Guide
The Palace of Westminster, colloquially known as the Houses of Parliament, functions as the meeting place for the UK Parliament, housing both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Its name has become a metonym for the UK Parliament and government, and it lends its name to the Westminster system of government. The palace originated in the eleventh century as a royal residence for English kings, a role it held until a fire destroyed the royal apartments in 1512. The monarch then moved to the nearby Palace of Whitehall, but the remainder of the building continued as the home of the Parliament of England, which had met there since the thirteenth century. A much larger fire in 1834 destroyed most of the palace, though the eleventh-century Westminster Hall was saved and incorporated into the replacement. The architect Charles Barry won the competition to design the new building, selecting a Gothic Revival style. Construction began in 1840 and took thirty years, marked by delays, cost overruns, and the deaths of Barry and his assistant Augustus Pugin. The resulting palace is notable for its ornate decoration and helped popularize Gothic Revival architecture elsewhere. It contains chambers for the Commons, Lords, and the monarch. The Elizabeth Tower houses the bell known as Big Ben, making the palace a landmark of London and the UK. Extensive repairs followed Second World War damage, including the rebuilding of the destroyed Commons chamber. The palace has been a Grade I listed building since 1970 and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Palace of Westminster?
It is the London-based meeting place of the United Kingdom's Parliament, colloquially known as the Houses of Parliament, and it houses both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Who designed the Palace of Westminster and in what architectural style?
Charles Barry led the design with Augustus Pugin contributing the ornamental details, and the building is a celebrated example of Gothic Revival architecture rooted in the Perpendicular Gothic tradition.
What is Big Ben?
Big Ben is the popular nickname for the great bell housed inside the palace's Elizabeth Tower, not the tower itself, and it has become one of the most recognizable symbols of London and the UK.
Why is the Palace of Westminster important?
It is the physical centre of British political life, and the name 'Westminster' has become a metonym for the UK Parliament and government, with the broader 'Westminster system' of parliamentary governance also taking its name from it.
Where is the Palace of Westminster located?
It stands on the south bank of the River Thames in central London, England, occupying the historic site of the medieval royal palace.
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