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The palace is one of the centres of political life in the United Kingdom; "Westminster" has become a metonym for the UK Parliament and the British Government, and the Westminster system of government commemorates the name of the palace.
The Palace of Westminster. The history of the Houses of Parliament spans over 900 years from the Anglo-Saxons to the present. Architecture of the Palace. Read about the current Palace of Westminster as designed by architect Sir Charles Barry. The Palace's Structure. Palace's Interiors. Key Dates. The Palace Today. From the Parliamentary Collections
UK Parliament. Visit. Find out how to take a tour in person, join an online event, book tickets and plan a visit to UK Parliament. Highlights. Tours at Westminster - Now bookable. Book a tour to discover the magnificent rooms within this historic building and find out what happens today in the House of Commons and House of Lords. What's on. Tours.
The Palace of Westminster functioned as the English monarchs' principal residence in the late Medieval period. The predecessors of Parliament, the Witenagemot and the Curia Regis, met in Westminster Hall (although they followed the King when he moved to other palaces).
The history of the Palace of Westminster began in the Middle Ages – in the early eighth century – when there was an Anglo-Saxon church dedicated to St. Peter the Apostle which became known as the West Minster (St. Paul's being the East Minster).
The history of the present-day Palace of Westminster is a journey which begins with its reconstruction by the architect Charles Barry after the Great Fire of 1834, through various ravages of the 20th century such as the Second World War, to the magnificent building as we know it today.
Immerse yourself in the 360° walkthrough of the Palace of Westminster. Take an extensive route through its most famous (and not-so-famous) rooms, including some areas ordinarily off-limits to the public.
Palace of Westminster. 1 of 2. Hear about the history, its architecture, and working of the U.K. Parliament and how it evolved into what it is today Learn about the evolution of the U.K. Parliament and the history behind the building of the current Houses of Parliament, designed by Sir Charles Barry and A.W.N. Pugin. (more)
The Palace of Westminster is an icon of our nation’s past, present and future. It is the home of our democracy and a workplace for thousands of people. The Palace has a rich and remarkable history. The first royal palaces on this site were built by King Canute the Great and then Edward the Confessor during the 11th century.
The Palace of Westminster – also known as the Houses of Parliament – is home to both chambers of government in the United Kingdom. It’s a masterpiece of 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture, with a few surviving medieval elements, and has become a symbol of democracy throughout the world.
