Houses of Parliament & Big Ben

The Palace of Westminster and its iconic Elizabeth Tower – home to the bell known universally as Big Ben – form the most recognisable architectural ensemble in the world, a Gothic Revival masterpiece on the banks of the Thames that has served as the seat of British democracy since the thirteenth century. Whether viewed from Westminster Bridge, from across the river on the South Bank, or up close from Parliament Square, this extraordinary complex of towers, pinnacles, and riverside facades embodies the continuity and grandeur of British parliamentary tradition in stone, gold, and the resonant chime of its famous bell.

History and Architecture

A royal palace has occupied this site since the eleventh century. The medieval Palace of Westminster burned dramatically in 1834, destroying most of the buildings and leaving only Westminster Hall (built 1097) and the Jewel Tower standing. The competition to design the replacement was won by Charles Barry, who worked with Augustus Pugin on a spectacular Gothic Revival design that took decades to complete and established the architectural vocabulary that would define the Victorian era.

The Elizabeth Tower (previously called the Clock Tower) was completed in 1859 and stands 96 metres tall. The great bell at its heart, weighing over 13.5 tonnes, first rang on 11 July 1859. It is the bell – not the tower – that is technically Big Ben, though common usage has transferred the name to the tower itself. The tower underwent extensive renovation from 2017 to 2022 to restore the clock faces, stonework, and bell mechanism.

• Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) stands 96 metres tall; the bell weighs 13.5 tonnes
• Westminster Hall dates from 1097 and is one of the oldest public buildings in Britain
• The current Gothic Revival palace was designed by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin after the 1834 fire
• UK citizens can arrange tours through their MP; foreign visitors can book public tours
• The palace contains over 1,000 rooms, 100 staircases, and 3km of corridors

What to See and Experience

The exterior is magnificent from multiple vantage points. Westminster Bridge offers the classic view looking toward the Elizabeth Tower; Lambeth Bridge looking back gives the full riverside panorama of the palace; Parliament Square provides close views of the Victoria Tower and the main entrance. At night, the floodlit palace reflecting in the Thames is one of London’s great spectacles.

Public tours of the interior are available to both UK and international visitors. The tour covers the ornate Royal Robing Room, the Royal Gallery, the Lords Chamber with its red benches, Central Lobby, and Commons Chamber with its famous green benches. Westminster Hall, with its magnificent fourteenth-century hammer-beam oak roof, is one of the most impressive interiors in Britain. Tours run during parliamentary recess in summer and at other available times.

Practical Information

• Exterior: Free and accessible at all times from public spaces
• Guided tours: From GBP 30 adults; book at parliament.uk/visit
• When: Public tours mainly during summer recess (August-September) and Saturdays year-round
• Elizabeth Tower tours: Reserved for UK constituents via their Member of Parliament
• Security: Airport-style security for all interior visits

Local Insights

• The view from Westminster Bridge at dawn or dusk is one of London’s greatest – arrive early
• Book interior tours well in advance for summer visits – they sell out months ahead
• Watch Prime Minister Questions on the parliament.uk live stream to understand what happens inside
• The South Bank across the river offers the finest full-palace views and sunset photography
• Nearby Westminster Abbey and St James Park make a perfect full-day Westminster experience

Getting There

• Tube: Westminster station (Jubilee, Circle, District lines) directly opposite
• Bus: Numerous routes along Victoria Embankment and Parliament Square
• Boat: Uber Boat (Thames Clippers) to Westminster Pier
• Walking: 10 min from Waterloo; 5 min from Embankment station