 Houses
of Parliament
The
Houses of Parliament are sometimes referred to as the Palace
of Westminster because it was built for Edward the Confessor
and then, from 1066, it became the main residence of William
the Conqueror and his successors until the reign of Henry VIII
in the 16th century.
Parliament, as we know it today,
evolved from meetings held by the King's Council in Westminster
Hall, part of the palace.
In 1834 a disastrous fire destroyed
much of the building with the exception of Westminster Hall,
the Cloisters and the Jewel Tower. The fire was caused by burning
a large quantity of elm sticks (used as tally sticks to keep
the Exchequer's accounts) in a large furnace beneath the Lords'
Chamber. Within hours much of the Palace of Westminster was
destroyed.
Architects were invited to submit
plans for the new building in the Gothic or Elizabethan style
and Sir Charles Barry was the winning architect. Because Barry
had limited experience of Gothic architecture he teamed up with
Augustus Welby Pugin. Building work commenced in 1837. The House
of Lords opened ten years later and four years after that, the
Commons also opened.
Free entry
to over 60 different attractions – places to go, things to
do, sights to see. To make the most of your visit, you'll also
get a free pocket-sized guidebook with detail of all the attractions
and comprehensive maps. For more information click here: Londonpass
Quick
Facts
Address: Parliament Square, London SW1
Telephone: 020 7344 9966
Tube: Westminster on the
District and Circle lines
Directions: When you come
out of the tube station, the Houses of Parliament are immediately
in front of you.
Visiting Parliament: Unless
you arrange to meet you MP you will need to join a tour of the
Houses of Parliament. Tours only take place during August and
September.
Booking: Telephone Ticketmaster
UK (+44) 020 7344 9966. For more information on the tours, conditions
and restrictions, visit the Ticketmaster
website.
Copyright © 2001
by Carol Fisher.
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