Overview:

The Houses of Parliament in London, England, are the center of political life in the United Kingdom. The Houses of Parliament comprise the House of Commons and the House of Lords and are located on the north bank of the River Thames in the capital city. The Houses of Parliament are the seat of the British government, and the building is often referred to as Westminster after the neighborhood in which it is located. The Houses of Parliament are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in United-Kingdom
Prominent Features:

1. The Palace of Westminster: Situated on the Thames River, the Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords which together forms the British parliament. It is a popular London tourist attraction and a World Heritage Site of international repute. 2. Big Ben: Big Ben is the name given to the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster and is an iconic landmark of London. It is the largest four-faced clock tower in the world and bongs the famous Westminster chimes every hour. 3. Speaker's Corner: Speaker's Corner is a traditional area located in the northeast corner of Hyde Park in London and historically a place for open-air public speaking. It has gained fame for being a historic spot where people from all walks of life can express their opinions freely without fear of censorship. 4. Parliament Square: Parliament Square is located in the centre of Westminster and is home to the iconic Houses of Parliament. It is surrounded by several famous monuments, including the 19th-century statue of Abraham Lincoln, and is the centre of the democratic movement in the UK. 5. The Jewel Tower: The Jewel Tower is a historic building located just south of Westminster and is a Grade 1 listed structure. Built in the early 14th century by the then king Edward III, it is believed to have been intended to house the monarch’s private jewels. It is now open to visitors as a museum. This national monument of United-Kingdom portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Houses of Parliament in London, England, also known as the Palace of Westminster, traces its history back to 1066 when William the Conqueror established a royal centre in the city. In 1512, King Henry VIII transferred much of the royal court from Greenwich to the Palace of Westminster, and it become the official centre of government in 1529. It continued as such until the fire of 1834, which severely damaged the palace and forced a long period of reconstruction and rebuilding which lasted until 1852, when the new palace of Westminster was completed. For centuries after, the Houses of Parliament served as the central focus of government and politics in the United Kingdom. It was the site of important legislative debates and speeches, including, notably, Winston Churchill’s “we shall fight on the beaches” speech during World War II. More recently, the Houses of Parliament have been at the epicentre of public scrutiny during several parliaments in the 21st century. In 2010, a series of political scandals revealed inappropriate admission procedures between members of Parliament and the public with respect to political donations. In 2018, a major renovation project saw a set of works conducted throughout the Palace, lasting several years. Today, the Houses of Parliament stands in its iconic role as a symbol of democracy and the centre of politics in the United Kingdom, a fitting ending for its over 1000-year history. You must visit one of these historical places in United-Kingdom on your United-Kingdom tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster, is the world's oldest parliamentary building, having been in continuous use since 1834. 2. The Houses of Parliament are home to two separate chambers – the House of Commons, which deals with general matters, and the House of Lords, which is the more traditionally British chamber where hereditary peers and bishops hold significant sway. 3. The layout of the Houses of Parliament is largely unchanged from the time of King Edward I in the early 13th century. 4. The Houses are located on the banks of the River Thames, and include many historic sites, such as the Elizabeth Tower – more commonly known as Big Ben – Westminster Hall, and the former prison, the Jewel Tower. 5. The Houses of Parliament are home to the four main elements of the British political system - the Monarch, the Lords Spiritual, the Lords Temporal, and the Commons. 6. The Houses are also home to many important artworks, including the 11th century Bayeux Tapestry and works by masters such as Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt. 7. The building is regularly the target of terrorist attacks, the most renowned being the 1984 IRA bombing. 8. The Houses of Parliament are staffed by a combination of elected personnel and life peers. 9. It is estimated that it takes over one million gallons of paint to maintain the building's elaborate facade. 10. The House of Commons is the only part of the Houses of Parliament open to the general public for most of the year. Visit one of the famous monuments of United-Kingdom with your friends and family.