The first Parliament was held at this site in 1275, with Westminster becoming the permanent seat of government in 1532. After the old Palace of Westminster was destroyed by fire, it was rebuilt in 1840 – and is the largest structure in England built since the Reformation. When Parliament is in session, a flag flies from Victoria Tower by day, and by a night a light burns in the Clock Tower above the famous Big Ben. Today, the Houses of Parliament remain a powerful symbol of democratic government on a national and global scale.
Why should I go there?
It may be a cliché, but can you really visit London without seeing – or more accurately hearing – Big Ben? It’s a bit like Sydney without the Opera House or New York without skyscrapers. Big Ben is the name of the 13 and a half ton bell that strikes the houses in the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. On the banks of the Thames, the seat of government is genuinely grand, and is where decisions affecting all elements of daily life are made. Parliamentary business takes place in the House of Commons and the House of Lords have evolved over time. The two houses are responsible for making laws (legislation), checking the work of the government (scrutiny), and debating current issues.
There are various things you can do if you’re a British national: attend a debate, watch a committee, watch a judicial hearing, arrange a tour, visit the Parliamentary Archives or climb the Clock Tower (Big Ben). These are all free, but some require tickets or permission from your MP – see the following website for details: http://www.parliament.uk/about/visiting/uk.cfm. Overseas visitors can do most of these things, but if you want a tour you’ll need to visit during the Summer Opening (the end of July until the end of September).
Where is Parliament?
It’s hard to miss the Houses of Parliament at Parliament Square. The nearest tube is Westminster, which is on the District, Circle and Jubilee lines.
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