Palace of Westminster: History and Overview

Overview of the Palace of Westminster

• The Palace of Westminster is where the Parliament of the United Kingdom meets in London, England.
• It's often called the Houses of Parliament, referring to the House of Commons and House of Lords.
• "Westminster" is used as a term for the UK Parliament, the British Government, and the Westminster system of government.
• The Elizabeth Tower, known as Big Ben, is a famous London landmark.
• The palace has been a Grade I listed building since 1970 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

History

• Originally built in the 11th century as a royal palace.
• It served as the primary residence for English kings until 1512, when a fire damaged the royal apartments.
• The monarch relocated to the Palace of Whitehall.
• Parliament of England had convened there since the 13th century.
• A major fire in 1834 destroyed most of the palace.
• Westminster Hall, dating back to the 12th century, survived and was integrated into the new building.

Architecture and Construction

• Charles Barry won the competition to design the new palace.
• He selected a Gothic Revival style for the building.
• Construction began in 1840 and took 30 years to complete.
• Delays, cost overruns, and the deaths of Barry and his assistant, Augustus Pugin, occurred during construction.
• Includes chambers for the House of Commons, House of Lords, and the monarch.
• The palace has a floor area of 112,476 m2 (1,210,680 sq ft).

Later History

• Extensive repairs were necessary after World War II, including rebuilding the Commons chamber.
• Despite ongoing conservation efforts, the palace requires significant repairs.

Explore the Palace of Westminster, the meeting place of the UK Parliament in London. Learn about its history as a royal palace and its evolution into the Houses of Parliament. Discover key facts and its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.