Palace of Westminster, UK Parliament

• The Palace of Westminster is where the Parliament of the United Kingdom meets, situated in London, England.
• Commonly referred to as the Houses of Parliament, it houses the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
• "Westminster" is a metonym for the UK Parliament, British Government, and the Westminster system of government.
• The Elizabeth Tower, also known as Big Ben, is a recognizable landmark of London and the UK.
• Since 1970, the palace has been a Grade I listed building.
• Since 1987, it has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Originally built in the eleventh century as a royal palace.
• It served as the main residence for the kings of England until 1512, when a fire occurred, destroying the royal apartments.
• The monarch relocated to the nearby Palace of Whitehall with the remainder of the palace continuing to host the Parliament of England since the 13th century.
• A major fire in 1834 destroyed most of the palace.
• The twelfth-century Westminster Hall was preserved and integrated into the new structure.
• Charles Barry won the competition to design the new palace.
• The design showcases a Gothic Revival style.
• 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.
• The palace includes chambers for the House of Commons, House of Lords, and the monarch.
• It spans a floor area of 112,476 m2 (1,210,680 sq ft).
• Significant repairs were necessary after the Second World War, including the reconstruction of the Commons chamber.
• The palace requires major repairs, despite ongoing conservation efforts.

The Palace of Westminster in London is the meeting place of the UK Parliament. It houses the House of Commons and the House of Lords. A Grade I listed building since 1970, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.