1. The Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster, is the seat of the UK government and houses the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The building was originally a royal palace in the 11th century but was redeveloped in the Gothic Revival style in the mid-19th century after a fire destroyed much of it. Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock located inside the Elizabeth Tower of the Houses of Parliament, although it is often used to refer to the whole clock tower itself. Here are some interesting facts:
- Big Ben actually refers specifically to the Great Bell, not the clock tower.
- The clock tower was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.
- Big Ben’s chimes can be heard up to 5 miles away.
- The Great Bell weighs 13.5 tons and is over 7 feet tall.
- The Houses of Parliament has 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases and 3 miles of passages.
2. The Houses of Parliament is open to visitors on Saturdays throughout the year, and on most weekdays during parliamentary recesses. The guided tours take approximately 75-90 minutes and can be booked in advance online or by phone. The main phone number for the Houses of Parliament is +44 20 7219 3000.
3. The admission fee for the Houses of Parliament is £26.50 for adults and £22.00 for students, seniors, and UK military. Children under 5 can enter for free, while children ages 5-15 can enter for £11.00. Entrance fees include a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament and access to Westminster Hall, St Stephen’s Hall, Central Lobby, and the Commons and Lords chambers (when not in use). The nearest underground stations are Westminster and St. James’s Park.
