What is the Palace of Westminster?
The Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of the UK Parliament, housing the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Located on the River Thames in London, it is famous for its Gothic Revival architecture and the Elizabeth Tower.
The site has been a royal palace since the 11th century. Much of the medieval palace was destroyed by fire in 1834, and the current building was designed by architect Charles Barry with Augustus Pugin.
Westminster Hall, built in 1097, survived the fire and is the oldest part of the palace. It has a magnificent medieval hammerbeam roof and has hosted coronation banquets and famous trials.
World Heritage Site
The Palace of Westminster, along with Westminster Abbey and St Margaret's Church, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The building has more than 1,000 rooms, 100 staircases and miles of corridors. Visitors can take guided tours and watch debates from public galleries.
The palace needs major repairs, including work on its roof, stonework and wiring. Plans for a large restoration program have been debated for years. The palace remains one of the most recognizable buildings in the world.