The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament, serves as the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Located on the north bank of the River Thames in the City of Westminster, the site has been the seat of British government since the 11th century, though the current structure is primarily a 19th-century reconstruction.
Following a devastating fire in 1834, the present building was designed by architects Sir Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin in the Perpendicular Gothic Revival style. It is renowned for its iconic clock tower, Elizabeth Tower, which houses the bell known as Big Ben, and its elaborate interior decoration that reflects the history and constitutional evolution of the British state.
Key Facts
- Materials
- Anston limestone, Cast iron, Oak
- Civilization
- British
- Accessibility
- Accessible via guided tours and public galleries
- Date(s)
- 1840-1870
- Condition
- Active government building, undergoing major restoration
- Original Function
- Royal Palace and seat of Parliament
- Key Figures
- Sir Charles Barry, Augustus Pugin, Queen Victoria
Medieval Origins
11th centuryThe site was originally established as a royal palace by King Cnut the Great. By the 13th century, it became the permanent home of the Parliament of England, with Westminster Hall serving as the primary judicial and ceremonial center.
The Great Fire of 1834
1834A massive fire destroyed the majority of the medieval palace complex, leaving only Westminster Hall, the Jewel Tower, and the Cloisters of St Stephen's intact. The disaster prompted a national competition for a new design.
Gothic Revival Construction
1840-1870Sir Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin were selected to rebuild the palace. Their design emphasized the Perpendicular Gothic style, integrating the surviving medieval structures into a grand, symmetrical layout that projected national stability.
Modern Era and Restoration
20th century - presentThe palace survived the Blitz during World War II, though the House of Commons chamber was destroyed and later rebuilt. Today, the building is undergoing the Restoration and Renewal Programme to address significant structural and mechanical decay.
Key Facts
- Materials
- Anston limestone, Cast iron, Oak
- Civilization
- British
- Accessibility
- Accessible via guided tours and public galleries