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Also in London
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- The London Eye
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- The Royal Albert Hall
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- British Museum
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- Tate Modern Art gallery
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- Tower Bridge Exhibition
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- All attractions in London
The Houses of Parliament in London
Plan your tour to The Houses of Parliament
- Category
- Churches, Cathedrals & Abbeys
- Address
- Westminster
- London
- London
- SW1P 3
- Opening times
- Jul-Aug: Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat - 9.15am-4.30pm Wed and Thur - 1.15-4.30pm
Sep: Mon, Fri, Sat - 9.15am-4.30pm
Tues, Wed, Thurs - 1.15-4.30pm - Ticket prices
- Adults: £12
Family: £30
Students: £8
OAP: £8
Children 5-16yrs: £5
Under 5yrs: FREE
The palace, originally a royal palace, was built on the site in the 11th Century and was the primary residence of the the Kings of England until it was destroyed by fire in 1512.
Thereafter it served as the home of Parliament, which had been meeting there since the thirteenth century, and the seat of the Royal Courts of Justice. That was until 1834 when another fire ravaged the building leaving only Westminster Hall, the Cloisters and Chapter House of St Stephen's, the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft and the Jewel Tower.
Charles Barry won the contract to rebuild the house by submitting Perpendicular Gothic plans. Building began in 1840 and lasted for 30 years.
The palace is synonymous with Government in the UK and is the centre of political life. The clock tower, which has been nicknamed "Big ben" (which is the actual bell, not the clock face or tower) is one of the most iconic structures in the world immediately identifying London.
The Palace of Westminster has been a Grade I listed building since 1970 and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987
Well worth a visit!