Palace of Westminster

Updated April 5, 2026

The Palace of Westminster is the government office housing the UK Parliament in London, United Kingdom. It holds a 4.6/5 rating from visitors.

What to Expect

You can take a guided tour of the building. These 90-minute tours, led by an expert, take you inside the working heart of UK government. You will see behind the scenes of this famous building and learn about the history, heritage, and current work of Parliament. The tour is conducted in English. Family-friendly tour options are also available. All visitors must pass through security screening upon arrival.

Practical Information

The address is London SW1A 0AA. The Palace of Westminster is centrally located and well-served by public transport. The nearest London Underground station is Westminster, served by the District, Circle, and Jubilee lines. You can also arrive by bus, coach, river boat, or bicycle. The entrance is step-free, though you must adhere to all UK Parliament security measures. You must book tour tickets in advance.

History & Significance

The Palace of Westminster is one of the world’s most recognized government buildings. It is the seat of the UK’s two parliamentary houses, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The site has been a center of power and political life for centuries.

Location

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The Palace of Westminster rises right on the banks of the Thames, unmistakable against the London skyline. It’s not just a postcard—this is the working home of UK Parliament, humming with debates and decisions that shape Britain.

Inside, the House of Commons and House of Lords carry on centuries of tradition in rooms that have seen nearly a thousand years of history. Funny thing: most people don’t realize this isn’t the original palace. A massive fire in 1834 wiped out almost everything medieval, so what you see now is a Victorian-era rebuild.

Of course, you’ll spot the Elizabeth Tower (that’s Big Ben to most folks, though technically that’s just the bell), but honestly, there’s so much more here than that famous clock. The place sprawls over 1.2 million square feet, and tucked inside is Westminster Hall—a survivor from 1097 that somehow dodged the flames.

If Parliament isn’t sitting, you can actually join guided tours. They’ll take you through ornate chambers and echoing corridors, right where the big debates go down.

Key Takeaways

• The Palace of Westminster is the working home of UK Parliament and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Guided tours let you explore historic chambers, Westminster Hall, and the building’s stunning Gothic architecture
• The building was reconstructed in the 1840s after a major fire destroyed most of the original medieval palace

About Palace of Westminster

Sitting on the north bank of the Thames, the Palace of Westminster is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the real heart of British democracy. The House of Commons and House of Lords have been hashing out the country’s future here for centuries.

History and Significance

The story of this place goes way back—think 1016, with Cnut, but it was Edward the Confessor who really put Westminster on the map between 1045 and 1050, building both a palace and the first abbey. Westminster Hall is the real time capsule here, dating from William II’s reign in the late 11th century.

English kings actually lived here until 1512, when a fire forced Henry VIII to move next door to the Palace of Whitehall. But the old palace found its purpose—as Parliament’s permanent home. The “Model Parliament” of 1295 met here, and over time, the Commons took over St Stephen’s Chapel while the Lords settled into the Painted Chamber.

Then came the fire of October 16, 1834. An overheated stove, of all things, set the place ablaze, destroying both chambers. Only Westminster Hall and a handful of other bits survived. Architect Charles Barry won the competition to rebuild, roping in Gothic Revival whiz Augustus Pugin to handle the details. Construction dragged on from 1840 to 1876, and the palace even took some bomb hits in World War II that wiped out the Commons Chamber.

What Makes It Special

The palace sprawls across 112,476 square meters, its three towers carving out a spot in London’s skyline. The Elizabeth Tower holds Big Ben, while the 323-foot Victoria Tower at the southwest corner is basically Parliament’s attic—5.5 miles of shelving, storing every Act since 1497.

The stonework tells its own story. Barry picked Anston limestone from South Yorkshire for its warm color, but London’s pollution wrecked it fast. By the 1930s, they had to swap in Clipsham stone from Rutland, and you can spot the difference if you look close.

This place isn’t a museum. It’s alive, with MPs debating daily. You can tour it, walk beneath Westminster Hall’s medieval hammer-beam roof, and wander corridors where the ghosts of political drama still linger.

What to See and Do

The Palace of Westminster offers guided tours through working government chambers and halls that have seen 900 years of history. The surrounding area is packed with London’s most iconic sights, all within easy walking distance.

Main Attractions and Highlights

Westminster Hall is the oldest part—built in 1097. Its hammer-beam roof from the 1390s is the largest medieval timber roof in Northern Europe. You’ll walk across stones where historic trials took place—think Guy Fawkes, King Charles I, the works.

The House of Commons and House of Lords are the real deal—debates happen here, not in some dusty museum. The green benches of Commons, the plush red leather in Lords—each chamber oozes centuries of tradition.

Big Ben (well, the Elizabeth Tower) dominates the skyline. The name technically refers to the bell, but who’s keeping track? The tower’s recently had a facelift. If you’re thinking of climbing to the top, be ready for 334 steps—might want to skip leg day beforehand.

Westminster Abbey is right next door. Every coronation since 1066 has happened here, and the place is full of memorials to writers, scientists, and monarchs. The Gothic details alone are worth the stop.

Best Time to Visit

If you want the real deal, book a weekday morning tour. The place buzzes with staff, and you might spot MPs heading to debates. Saturdays are less lively but still run tours all day.

Summer (June through August) means longer tour hours and access to both chambers when Parliament’s on break. Downside? Bigger crowds and pricier tickets.

Winter’s a bit of a secret—shorter lines, better photos in the Great Hall, and the palace looks especially dramatic in low winter light. Just bundle up, since waiting outside for security can get chilly.

Visitor Information

The Palace of Westminster sits right on the north bank of the Thames, smack in the middle of central London. Getting there’s a breeze, thanks to the city’s tangle of public transport.

Location and How to Get There

Westminster Underground station is the closest stop—Jubilee, District, and Circle lines all pull in here. You’ll pop out almost at the front door. St. James’s Park station (also on District and Circle) is a five-minute stroll if the crowds at Westminster are a bit much.

Buses? Loads of them—routes 11, 24, 88, and 148 all stop nearby. Or, if you fancy coming by river, Westminster Pier is right beside the Palace, with Thames Clippers boats pulling in from all over London.

Address: Palace of Westminster, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA

The building fills the block between Bridge Street and Millbank. You can’t miss it—Big Ben’s clock tower marks the north end. Walking from Trafalgar Square? Give yourself about ten minutes down Whitehall, and you’ll be right there.

Tips for Visitors

Book your tickets online well in advance—especially in summer, when tours seem to vanish in a blink. The Palace of Westminster is a working government building, so tour slots shift around depending on what’s happening in Parliament.

If you can, try for a Saturday tour. There are usually more openings than on weekdays, which means less scrambling for a spot.

Security is no joke here. Give yourself a bit of extra time and seriously, pack light. You can’t bring in big bags, and there isn’t a cloakroom to stash anything oversized.

Expect airport-style screening at the entrance. It’s best to leave anything questionable or bulky back at your hotel.

Photography rules are a bit all over the place. Snapping photos is fine in Westminster Hall, but don’t even think about pulling out your camera in the chambers during a tour. Your guide will keep you posted on where it’s allowed—just ask if you’re not sure.

The Palace of Westminster takes accessibility seriously. Most areas are reachable for wheelchair users via specific routes, and the audio guides have induction loops.

If you need particular accommodations, reach out to the visitor services team ahead of time. They’re genuinely helpful, and it makes the day go a lot smoother.