Palace of Westminster & Big Ben
Palace of Westminster / Elizabeth Tower
Home of the UK Parliament on the banks of the Thames, with the Gothic Revival Palace of Westminster and the 96-meter Elizabeth Tower, known as Big Ben. It is one of London's most iconic landmarks.
The Palace of Westminster houses both Houses of Parliament. After a fire in 1834, it was rebuilt in the Gothic Revival style by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin. Its riverside facade is about 265 meters long, and together with Westminster Abbey it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 96-meter Elizabeth Tower at the north end is commonly called Big Ben, though Big Ben was originally the name of the 13.7-tonne bell inside. After a five-year restoration completed in 2022, its gold and blue clock faces look brand new, and the bell chimes every hour.
The best photo spots are the middle of Westminster Bridge, the South Bank side near the London Eye, and Lambeth Bridge. The view is most beautiful after sunset, when the lights come on. Paid guided tours of the Palace of Westminster, about 30 pounds, are usually offered on Saturdays and during parliamentary recesses, and must be booked on the official website. When Parliament is sitting, you can also join the queue to watch debates from the public gallery for free. UK residents can apply through their local MP for a tour of the clock tower.
Westminster Underground station is right outside, and across the road is Westminster Abbey. Whitehall, 10 Downing Street, and Trafalgar Square are all within a 15-minute walk, so together they make a half-day route through the centers of power.
Roads around Parliament are sometimes closed during protests or state events. Entry to the building requires passing through security.
Opening hours
Exterior open all day; Parliament tours mostly on Saturdays and during recess (booking required)
Nearby sights
- Westminster Abbey
- Churchill War Rooms
- London Eye
- Trafalgar Square
- National Gallery
- Covent Garden
- Piccadilly Circus
- Buckingham Palace