Palace of Westminster: UK Parliament History

• The Palace of Westminster, located in London, is where the Parliament of the United Kingdom meets.
• It is commonly referred to as the Houses of Parliament, named after the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
• "Westminster" is used as a metonym for the UK Parliament and the British Government.
• The Westminster system of government is named after the palace.
• The Elizabeth Tower, often called Big Ben, is a famous landmark of London and the UK.
• The palace has been a Grade I listed building since 1970.
• It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
• Originally built in the 11th century, it served as a royal palace.
• It was the primary residence of English kings until 1512.
• A fire in 1512 destroyed the royal apartments, leading the monarch to move to the Palace of Whitehall.
• Parliament had been meeting at the Palace of Westminster since the 13th century.
• A major fire in 1834 destroyed most of the palace.
• Westminster Hall, built in the 12th century, survived the fire and was included in the rebuilt palace.
• Charles Barry won the competition to design the new palace.
• Barry chose a Gothic Revival style for the rebuilt palace.
• Construction began in 1840 and lasted 30 years.
• Delays, cost overruns, and the deaths of Barry and his assistant, Augustus Pugin, marked the construction period.
• The palace includes chambers for the House of Commons, House of Lords, and the monarch.
• It has a floor area of 112,476 square meters (1,210,680 sq ft).
• Extensive repairs were needed after the Second World War, including rebuilding the Commons chamber.
• The palace requires major repairs despite ongoing conservation work.

Explore the Palace of Westminster, home to the UK Parliament. Discover its historical significance, from royal residence to Grade I listed building and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about the fires that shaped its architecture and its role in the Westminster system of government.