London Buildings West End Palace of WestminsterThe Palace Of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament, is a complex of buildings in central London. It is the official seat of the two houses of Parliament of the United Kingdom (the House of Lords and the House of Commons). 
The palace lies on the north bank of the River Thames, in the London borough of Westminster.
The palace contains around 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases and 3 miles of corridors, which is a 'round the houses' way of saying 'it's roomy'. Although the building mainly dates from the 19th century, remaining elements of the original historic buildings include Westminster Hall, used today for major public ceremonial events such as lyings in state, and the Jewel Tower. Earlier government buildings on the site were consumed by an almighty fire which can be seen by following the link to the Jewel Tower.
After the fire in 1834, the present Houses of Parliament were built over the next 30 years. They were the work of the architect Sir Charles Barry (1795–1860) and his assistant Augustus Welby Pugin (1812–52). The design included Westminster Hall and the remains of St Stephen's Chapel. Which sounds stiffly upright and efficiently dull, but the building work was anything but. Firstly and most importantly was the [Perpendicular] Gothic style (often called 'Gothic Revival') that was chosen. This was to promote Conservative, imperial values - in direct contradiction to the fashionable neo-Classical style springing up all over the United States (federal Capitol, White House).
Barry and Pugin both died before the building was complete and not necessarily because their time was up. The spiralling cost and over-runs on the project, sent them to an early grave. Pugin, particularly suffered from stress and was admitted to an asylum shortly before his death (Bethlehem Hospital or 'Bedlam' as it was known - which currently houses the Imperial War Museum, in south London). Pugin's life is a catalogue of tragedy and misfortune. He was imprisoned in 1831 for non-payment of rent, but bounced straight into a new business venture upon release, which subsequently failed. His wife died in childbirth the following year, many I suppose would have retreated within themselves, but Augustus Pugin's greatest work lay just ahead of him. Barry called in Pugin to help complete the winning plans for his new Palace of Westminster, prompting Pugin to make the following statement: "Barry's great work was immeasurably superior to any that I could at the time have produced, and had it been otherwise, the Commissioners would have killed me in twelve months."
Pugin is a striking figure - modest to the point of absurdity, he was without doubt the foremost draughtsman of his day and in many cases the 'unsung technical lead' of the projec
t - since he was the Gothic expert, not Barry. Had draughtsmanship been his only skill, all well and good, but his designs are so numerous and unique that he greatly influenced luminaries such as writer John Ruskin and the designer William Morris. He was the trend-setters', trend setter. Pugin was un-naturally fearful of death and in 1851 retreated from society to prepare himself for the end. He was released from Bedlam, but died shortly afterwards at Hammersmith - from a stroke, most likely brought about by syphilis. He was just 40 years old and the unimaginable pressure he was under to produce the interior designs, for all 1,100 rooms in the palace, undoubtedly pushed him to the brink (the fretwork in the House of Lords chamber alone, would have drained most imaginations permanently of ideas).
The 'Clock Tower' which houses Big Ben (the bell) is the most recognisable symbol of the British in the eyes of other countries (being an expat myself, for 18 years) and close inspection of the real thing pleasantly surprises most visitors to London. It's spectacularly detailed and an object of truly stunning, architectural beauty. I've never met a person disappointed, when they see it in the flesh. Security in the area is beyond tight. Obviously, visitors are not permitted into the palace, but there's plenty to see nearby including Westminster Abbey, The Tate Britain, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, St. James's Park and the National Gallery.
For many years the British public were largely unaware of procedures within the 'House'. However since the intrusion of televised coverage, and now a channel wholly dedicated to political developments, the Public are far more familiar with the process of Government. In 2009 MPs' excessive expense claims made for some startling and shameful revelations within the media. Currently Members of Parliament are still enjoying an amusingly low regard, amongst the voting public.
The State Opening of Parliament 2010 - the Queen is not permitted to enter the House of Commons. The Black Rod summons the House of Commons to the House of Lords Chamber, to hear the Queen's speech. The Queen's throne in the House of Lords, is technically separate and the third section of the Palace of Westminster: House of Commons, House of Lords and the Queen.
The Palace of Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA
Nearest Tube: Westminster.
