In this article, I present the Palace of Westminsterthe seat of Parliament and home to the famous Big Ben clock!
Here you'll find
- A presentation of the Palace of Westminster
- What you can see and do in this palace
- How to get there
- Practical information: prices, opening hours, reservations
- Things to see and do in the area
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about London's Palace of Westminster, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Westminster : article summary
Palace of Westminster, the seat of the British Parliament on the banks of the Thames
Visit Palace of Westminsteralso known as the House of Parliament, is the majestic building in which the two chambers that make up this parliament meet: the Chamber of Deputies and the Chamber of Deputies. House of Lords and the House of Commons.
It's located on the banks of the Thames and you won't want to miss it when you come to visit. visit London. It can be seen from afar, as it extends over an area of 100,000 m², and its most famous towers include the famous Big Ben !
Introducing the Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster was originally used as a royal residenceIts central and therefore strategic location. It lies in the heart of the city of Westminster (which owes its name to the contraction of the words West Monastery), a position he held until 1512.
In the space of just 3 hours, we show you the the best of the historic center of London (must-sees + secret spots) with a French-speaking guide just for you.
A fire King Henry VIII preferred to move to York Palace - renamed Whitehall Palace - which was to become the royal residence of British sovereigns until 1698.
The Palace of Westminster was not abandoned, however: it became the seat of the two parliamentary chambers and was also used as a courthouse. It held these functions until the terrible fire of 1834, which almost entirely destroyed the palace. All that remains of this period is the Westminster Hallthe Joyaux tower and the crypt of the Saint-Etienne chapel.
Rebuilt in 1840 in a neo-Gothic style, it took on its current form, with its wide stone façade and its main towers: the Queen Victoria Tower (98.5 metres high), the Central Tower (91.4 metres high) and the most famous of them all, the Clock Tower (96.3 metres high), renamed the Elisabeth Tower during the Queen's jubilee in 2012, where the Big Ben bell is located!
It's a visit not to be missed in London, for this building listed as a World Heritage Site since 1987.
Westminster facts and figures Â
- There are more 1,000 pieces in this vast Palace of Westminster, spread over 3 floors
- Westminster Hall dates from 1097 and is the oldest piece still visible.
- There are 4.8 kilometers corridors!
- The building appears in many popular works, such as the films Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, V for Vendetta or even Dark Hours
What can you see at Westminster? Â
If the outside is already very impressive, it's when you step inside the Palace of Westminster that you get the full measure of the place. Here are the main rooms you won't want to miss.
The great hall
A vestige of a bygone era, this hall of insane dimensions (73.2 m long by 20.7 m wide, covering more than 1500 m2) was used for trials, sumptuous banquets and coronations. Recently, it was used as a mourning room for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Walk through it, raising your head, to discover its impressive ceiling.
The House of Commons
The House of Commons, with its ubiquitous green colorThis room can accommodate 437 members of the assembly (out of a total of 646). Members of the government sit to the right of the president, opponents to the left, so they can quarrel while facing each other!
Once a week, the room is used for Questions to the Prime Minister; and it's worth noting that this room is off-limits to sovereigns!
The House of Lords
This is certainly Westminster's most impressive room, at least in terms of decoration. It is 24.4 m long and 13.7 m wide, and at the end of the room you can see the golden royal throne.
Many official ceremonies take place in this chamber, including the traditional opening of Parliament every year.
St Stephen's Chapel
It's worth a look for its statues and the superb paintings on the wall, as well as for its historical importance. Indeed, before the great fire of 1834, this was the place where members of the House of Commons met. It was rebuilt a few years after its destruction, in the exact location and its crypt has survived.
The Royal Gallery
Like the superb works of art in the collection at Windsor CastleThe Royal Gallery (originally called Victoria Gallery) some 450 works of art dot its walls.
The two major canvases decorate the long walls and depict the famous battles of Trafalgar and Waterloo !
The central lobby
A central room, an obligatory passageway to some of Westminster's most important rooms. It's a bit the heart of the building and the splendid frescoes, statues and stained glass windows are sure to remind you of this.
How do I get to the Palace of Westminster?
The Palace of Westminster is in the heart of Londonat the following address SW1A 0AA, Londonbut the public entrance is at Cromwell Green, on St Margaret Street.
You can easily get there via :
- Visit metroDistrict or Jubilee lines, Westminster stop
- The lines of bus that take you into the city center, 11, 24, 148 or 453
- Via river shuttle
Westminster: prices, opening hours and practical information
Here's what you need to know about visiting the Palace of Westminster.
Rates and booking
- Adults: 44 euros (with audioguide)
- Children 40 euros (with audioguide)
- Free for children under 2
- Free for London residents
- Guided tour of the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey: 107 euros
Visits to Westminster very popularespecially as they only take place on Saturdays. So it's important to make a reservation!
By doing so online, you'll receive your tickets immediately on your mobile devices, and all you have to do is present them at the entrance.
Opening hours
The palace is open from 9am to 5pm every day, but access to the chambers of Parliament is only possible when there is no sitting, on Saturdays at 11:30am.
Count on about 1h30 visit.
Practical information
With an audio guide (available in 9 languages including French), you'll be showered with anecdotes and commentary on your surroundings. It's the best way to discover Westminster.
A strict control is at the entrance, for security reasons, and you won't be able to take photos anywhere!
What to see and do in the area?
The Westminster district is full of things to see and do. Here are my suggestions for continuing your exploration of the capital:
- Visit the must-see Westminster Abbeywhere the kingdom's sovereigns are crowned and buried
- Browse the St James Park for a breath of fresh air in the heart of the city
- Discover the superb Buckingham Palace and attend the changing the guard !
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