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Houses of Parliament & Map

All you need to Know, Officially The Palace of Westminster, The Clock Tower, Big Ben, Free Tours,

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Houses of Parliament Page Contents

Queens Route State Opening of Parliment

Black Rods Route State Opening of Parliment

Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen is Dead Long live the King.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II reading the Queens Speech
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II reading the Queens Speech

  • We are sad to say that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died at Balmoral Caslle, her beloved home in Scotland, aged 96 on 8 September 2022
  • Her Majesty was the longest-reigning monarch in the history of Britain & reigned for 70 years 7 months 1 days.
  • The Queens has seen 15 British Prime Ministera come & Go. Her last offical duty was the appointed of Liz Truss as prime minister 2 days before her death.
  • Prince Charles is now King Charles III, Camilla The Duchess of Cornwall the Queen Consort.

1. Royal Entrance

  • After leaving Buckingham Palace in the Jubilee State Coach, built in Austrailia, The queen then travels via The Mall, Horseguards Parade, Horseguards, Whitehall, Parliament St. Parliament Sq.
  • The Sovereign's Entrance to the Lords is the large archway located at the foot of the tower and is wide enough to allow the Royal Carriage through
  • Her Majesty The Queen in her coach & six horses enters through the Queens Entrance into Victoria Tower.

2. Victoria Tower Houses of Parliament

Victoria Tower Palace of Westminstet
Victoria Tower Palace of Westminster & Massive Queens Entrance.

Carvings above the Queens Entrance, Victoria Tower
Carvings above the Queens Entrance, Victoria Tower, Houses of Parliament

  • Named after Queen Victoria and it is the tallest tower at 325 feet almost 99 metres & located at the south west corner of the palace.
  • For many years it was the largest & tallest stone tower in the World.Victoria Tower is the Tallest and largest tower in the Palace of Westminter,
  • When built in the Perpendicular Gothic style, in 1860. it was the tallest square tower in the world.
  • .The space in the tower ground floor is large enough to turn the coaches & 6 horses around
  • The Queen is met by various officials includinh the Ladt or Gentalmen Usher to the Black Rod, who plays a signifent part later on in the ceremony.
  • On the North side of Victoria Towe is the Arch leading to the Royal Stairs

3. Royal Stairs

Royal Stairs
Royal Stairs lined with the Household Cavalty, The Lifeguards on the left, The Blues & Royals on the right

  • Normally the queen ascends the 26 steps of the Royal Stairs, which are lined by the Household Cavalry, The lifeguards with white plumes & The Blues & Royals with Red Plumes on there helmets.
  • For the first time, aged 90 & her husband the Duke of Edinburgh used the lift instead of the Stairs.

4. Norman Porch

  • At the top of the stairs is the Norman Porch, a right turn takes the procession into the Queen's Robing Room

5. Queen's Robing Room

  • By tradition this is were the queen dons the Imperials Crown and Royal Robes.
  • In the past the Queen has stated that the crown is heavy & it is imposible to look down, making speach readinf very difficult.
  • Also she has mentioned that she could hardly move as the long train was catching against the carpet lay..
  • In the interest of comfort, again considering the Queens age. The crown was carried on a cushon in front of the Queen who wore far more comfortable clothes.

6. Royal Gallery

  • Royal Gallery is 10 feet long.
  • A working space
  • It has 2 massive paintings from the Napolionic Wars
  • During the Queens proccesion the Gallery will be full mof Diplomatic & Military guests

7.Princes Chamber

Princes Chamber
Princes Chamber

  • A working antiroom. Contains many portraits from the Tudor Era & a statue of Queen Victoria
  • Lines with many members of the senior military

The House of Lords

State Opening of Parliament The Queen in House of Lords
State Opening of Parliament The Queen in House of Lords.

  • The Lords also called The Upper House is the Second chamber
  • The Lords scrutinise the elected government and the laws, Acts of Parliament passed by the House of commons.
  • The Lords can delay the passing of laws, allowing for a rethink of aspects of the law. But they can only delay for a set time.
  • Slowly the powers of the Lords are being eroded.
  • The colour scheme in the House of Lords is Red
  • The Queen at the State Opening of Parliament

 

Black Rod Ceremony

Video of Black Rod Ceremony


Black Rod Door knocking on the door of House of Commons
Black Rod Door knocking on the door of House of Commons.

  • After a signal by the Queen , The Lady or Gentlemen Usher of The Black Rod sets off to summons the Members of the House of Commons to attend the Queen in the House of Lords to hear the Queens Speach.
  • The Usher carrying the Black Rod, leaves the House of Lords, and passes through the following:
  • Peers Lobby Peers Corridor Central Gallery Commons Corridor Commons Lobby Door to the House of Commons The House of Commons

About Black Rod

Peers Lobby

Peers Corridor

Central Lobby

  • The Central Lobby is the main gross roads of The Houses of Parliment with corridors leeding to Tje Lords, The Commons, St. Stephens Hall & one leading ttoward the river with the longest corridor running almost the full length of The building
  • This Loby has many Parlimentary Employees watching the Black Rods Procestion.
  • When built the tall central spire acted as a natural venting of hot air.

Commons Corridor

Commons Lobby

Door to the House of Commons Slammed in Black Rod Face

  • Black Rod's offical title is the Lady or Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod is a sennior officer & sergeant at arms maintains order in the upper house. Also acting as a personal attendant of the sovereign.
  • His official staff of office is The Black Rod
  • His or hers most important duty is to summons the members of the  House of Commons, the lower house, to the House of Lords, to hear the Sovereigns Speech written by the goverment.
  • By tradition and as part of the ceremony the door to the House of Commons is slammed into the face of Black Rod
  • The Black Rod Usher then hammedr on the door with The Black Rod his Rod of Office 3 times.
  • As Black Rod approaches the Door to the Commons the door is slammed in his face to symbolise the Commons independence from the Crown.
  • Black rod then bangs on the door 3 times, before the door is opened, he then summonds the members to the Upper Chamber.
  • King Charles I stormed into the House of commons to arrest 5 members  of the House of Commons in 1642
  • This led to the English Civil War with the Parlimentary forces against the Royalist forces, 1642-1651.
  • Oliver Cromwell, a soldier and statesman, led parliamentary forces in the English Civil Wars to victory and was made lord protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1653–58) 
  • Charles I's was beheaded in front of the Mansion House in Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War,
  • His son, Charles II, was installed as Monarch with limited powers.
  • From this time the Monarch was not allowed to enter the House of Commons, starting with Charles II 1630 
  • The cenemony of the Black Rod dates back to 1641, when the usher entered the commons without his black rod and also uninvited., outraged the Members of Parliament who then initiated this ritual, that is enacted at every opening of Parliment.
  • Note the damage on the door where the Black Rod strikes it.

 

The House of Commons


  • At the State Opening of Parliament the Queen arrives at the House of Lords and sends Black Rod to the House of Commons to Summon the MP's to the House of Lords. 

 

 

Houses of Parliament , Palace of Westminster & Big Ben

The correct name for the Houses of Parliament is the Palace of Westminster. Big Ben is nickname given to the great bell, the largest of the 5 bells in the clock tower and the one that chimes the hour.

Palace of Westminster

Palace of Westminster
Palace of Westminster
better known as the Houses of Parliament & Clock Tower containing Big Ben the Great Bell.

The palace of Westmister used to be the King's of England residence untill 1512 when it was partially destroyed by fire.

On rebuilding it become the venue for Parliamnt.

Again mostly destoyed by fire in 1834 the current Perpendicular Gothic style building complex was erected designed by architect Charles Barry

Remaing Old Parts


Westminster Hall


Information Westminster Hall below

Jewel tower


The Jewel tower, over the road from the current building is the only section of theoriginal Palace 2 building that remains intact

The popular name for the Palace of Westminster is The Houses of Parliament where members of parliament meet to discuss, amend and introduce new laws for England and gradually to a lessor extent the United Kingdom.

Parliament consists of 2 Houses.

The Palace of Westminster is the largest Gothic building in the world, contains 1100 rooms & 2 miles of corridors  all built around 7 internal courtyards.

The House of Commons

House of Commons
House of Commons.

  • The Commons has 646 elected Members of Parliament from the United Kingdom, the majority, 529, are from England. Elections take place every 5 years or earlier
  • The Monarch is NOT allowed to enter the House of Commons
  • The colour scheme in the House of Commons is Green
  • There are not enough seats for all MPs, late commers must stand just inside the entrance to the House of Commons.

The Government & Opposition


  • On entering the House of Commons the Government is Seated on the Left
  • The opposition on the Right.
  • Government Ministers and the oppositions counterparts sit on the front row of seats and are called Font Benchers
  • Ordinary Members of Parliament (MP's) who do not sit on the front row are called Back Benchers

.

The Speaker


The Speaker Sits in a green leather arm chair with an high carved wooden back and Canopy, and located centrally at the head of the chamber on a raised Diaz.

  • The Title Speaker dates back to 1377
  • Traditionally the speaker used to wear wears traditional robes of knee breeches, silk stockings and a full-bottomed wig and wears a sword. This now is only worn at ceremonial occasions and a lounge suit and a teachers style black robe at other times.
  • The Speaker is an ordinary Elected Member of Parliament  who is elected by all the other members of Parliament.
  • He is  the chief official & has the most authority of the House of Commons.
  • The Speaker's duties include:
    • Acts as a politically impartial Chairman
    • Maintaining order within the house and to ensure debates run smoothly
    • Calls upon MP's to Speak
    • Represents the Commons to the monarch, the Lords and other authorities.
    • Chairs the House of Commons Commission
  • The speaker in 2011 is John Bercow
  • Throughout the period of 1399 to 1535, seven Speakers have been beheaded

Despatch Box


Two dispatch boxes stand on the table between the government & opposition and act as a lectern for papers or notes.

Red Lines on Carpet


Two red lines are painted on the carpet run down the chamber.

  • The lines are to separate Members of the government  & Members of The Opposition.
  • Traditionally members must not cross these lines during a debate
  • Going back to the days when members carried swords, The lines are 2.5 sword lengths apart.

Westminster Hall

Westminster Hall with Cromwell's statue in foreground
Westminster Hall with Cromwell's statue in Cromwell Green. Visitors entrance on the right of Westminster Hall Photo by Ozeye

Oil Painting of George IV coronation banquet
Oil Painting of George IV coronation banquet in Westminster Hall
Original in British Museum

  1. Was built in 1097 and at that time was the largest hall in Europe.
  2. Originally the roof was supported by 2 rows of pillars forming 2 side isles and a wider central isle - similar to many churches & catedrals.
  3. Famous events in this Hall;
  4. Trials of
    1. The Trial of King Charles I by the Parliamentarians under Oliver Crommwell.
    2. Trial of Sir William Wallace a Scottish nobleman who led the Wars of Scottish Independence. Wallace was defeated in 1305 at the Battle of Falkirk
    3. Trial of Sir Thomas More tried for Treason by Henry VIII for his opposition the Henrys marriage to Catherine of Aragon
    4. Trial of Cardinal John Fisher
    5. Trial of Guy Fawkes a paticipent in the Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament in 1605.and remembered today on November 5 th - Bonfire Night.
    6. Trial of The Earl of Strafford
    7. Trial of The rebel Scottish Lords of the 1715 and 1745 uprisings
    8. Trial of Warren Hastings.
  5. Coronation Banquet of George IV in 1821 was the last of Soverign's Banquests in the Hall
  6. The Hall has been used for Soverign lyings-in-state prior to Ceremonial funerals. The last one was for Queen Elizabeth II Mother in 2002.. One of the few non royals to receive this honour was Sir Winston Churchill in 1965
  7. President Barack Obama  addressed both house of Parliament in in Westminster Hall in 2011

Central Hall

Central Ogtagonal lobby
Central Ogtagonal lobby © Jorge Royan

The Central Hall is located under the Central Spire. The hall is themain crossroads located between the House of Commons & The House of Lords

The hall is octagonal in Shape

Visitors Entrance


The Visitors entrace to the Houses of Parliamenthas located at the right end of Cromwell Green in front of Westminster Hall .

Beyond the Entrance is St Stephens Porch with steps to the first floor - the main floor & St Stephens Hall followed by the Central Ogtagonal Hall.

Palace of Westminster Towers & Spire

The palace has 2 main towers, 1 Spire and some smaller towers:

Elizabeth Tower (Clock Tower) Houses of Parliament


Jubilee Tower, Houses of Parliament Clock Tower
Houses of Parliament Clock Tower

  • The Clock Tower was renamed to The Elizabeth Tower  in 2012.
  • iThe Elizabeth Tower is the most famous of the towers but at 316 feet (96 metres) is slightly shorter than Victoria Tower
  • The clock &/or the clock tower are often, wrongly, called Big Ben, acctually the Great Hour Bell, but the term is used so often that the term is accepted.
  • The Palace of Westminster. Clock Tower is
    • The most famous Clock Tower in the World
    • The largest four-faced chiming clock in the World
    • The third tallest free standing clock tower in the world
    • The sound of it's bell is recognise throughout the world.
  • Within the Clock Tower is a prison

Octagonal Central Spire Houses of Parliament


Westminster Palace Towers & Spire

Westminster Palace left to right Victoria Tower, Central Spire Spire & Clock Tower .
  • Built originally as a ventilation shaft to expel stale air
  • The Tower Octagonal Central Spirehas located above the Central Hall

Peers Entrance


The Lords enter the house via the entrance 50 yards to the left of the Queens Entrance

Big Ben. The Great Hour Bellin the Jubilee Clock Tower Palace of Westminster

Where Big Ben was Cast in 1858.


Whitechape Bell Foundry
Whitechapel Bell Foundry Photo by Ewan M

Big Ben Description

  • Big Ben is the nickname for the 'Great Bell' housed in the Clock Tower on the north side of the Palace of Westminster that chimes the hours. 
  • The Dull Chime has been heard by the largest number of people in the World thanks to the BBC's (British Broadcasting Corporation) overseas News programs.
  • The characteristic slightly off key note of Big Bens chime is due to the bell being cracked. This makes it's unusual tone recognisable throughout the world.
  • The remedy for the crack was:
    • The bell was given a quarter turn, to alterf the hammer strike position.
    • The hammer was reduced to 4cwt (200 kg) after the bell cracked
    • A square hole was drilled at the end of the crack to stop it spreading.
  • The bell was cast in Whitechapel bell Foundry in 1858, weighed almost 14 tons, has a 9 foot (2.74 metres) diameter, the bell was the largest that was cast by the foundry.

Westminster Clock

  • The clock is the most accurate public mechanical clock in the world.
  • The clocks time is adjusted by adding or removing coins to or from the pendulum. Adding 1 old pence coin speeds up the clock by the of 2/5 second (0.4 second) in 24 hours
  • The clock is maintained to within an accuracy of + - 2 seconds.
  • The time accuracy is checked & the clock wound up 3 times a week on Mon. Weds & Fri.
  • The Clock faces are 23 feet (7 metres) in diameter.

Westminster Clock Faces


  • Each of the 4 clock faces have a 7 metres diameter face and the design is neo-Gothic. Made from cast iron and 312 separate pieces of opaque glass.
  • Under the faces is the latin inscription that translates to "O Lord, save our Queen Victoria the First"
  • The faces are cleaned & repaired every 5 years by an abseiling team.

Black Rods Garden Entrance

  • Black Rods Garden a small garden that lies immediatley to the side of Victoria Tower, between the palace & Victoria Gardens Open to the puplic
  • Not open to the puplic.
  • The garden is gated with security guards at the gate. An entrance leads from the garden into the palace.
  • This entrance is used by visitors to the palace Archives which are kept in Victoria Tower.

St. Stephen's Halll

  • On the site of what was used as The House of Commons before the fire 1834,
  • Contains statues of Kings, Queens & famous parliamentarians

St. Stephen's Porch

  • ThePublic Entrance & security Checks
  •  Tickets are required most most entrances except debates . Excluding Prime Ministers Question Time when a ticket is required'
  • Security checks are similar to those at an airport. Expect queghs
  • The porch has a fabulous frontage. It has an entrance into Westminster Hall and St. Stephen's Halll the the Central Lobby

Visiting the House of Parliment

Security

  1. The Houses of Parliament are located witin it's Security Zone with armed police & concrete barriors against vechiles.
  2. Entrance is via security Checks
  3. Read aout the security. Important if you want to Vist.. What yo can carry, Illegal items in UK. Restricted items, Where you can go. Animals, Bikes, Luggage & Bags About Security

Public Entrance Location

The Public Entrance Location is next to Cromwell Green & almost opposite St Marys Church

New Palace Garden / New Palace Yard

New Palace Garden in front of Clock Tower
New Palace Garden in front of Clock Tower .

Member Entrance


  • The Members Entracehas located in the New Palace Garden.

New Palace Garden description


  • The New Palace Garden are within the Palaces Security Area and possibly not open to the public. May be open to tour visitors because there is an entrance to the
  • They are located in front of The Clock Tower and to the side of Westminster Hall & across the road is Parliament Square
  • A pillory used to stand in the gardens and criminals were locked in it. One of these was Titus Oates in the Reign of James II. The area was then open to the public.

Victoria Tower Gardens

  • Victoria Gardens are a public Park,.located 20 metres to the south of the Victoria Tower and run alongside the River Thames
  • Some of the features within the park are:

Buxton Memoria Fountain


Buxton Memoria Fountain in Victoria Gardens
Buxton Memoria Fountain in Victoria Gardens
Photo by ell brown

  • The Buxton Memoria Fountain is dedicated to the emancipation of slaves in the British Empire in 1834.
  • The fountain was designed by Samuel Sanders Teulon in 1865 for Charles Buxton MP

Burghers of Calais Statue


Burghers of Calais Statue in Victoria Gardens
Buxton Memoria Fountain in Victoria Gardens
Photo by ell brown

The beautiful Burghers of Calais Statue is a reproduction, one of 12, by Auguste Rodin.

  • The bronze statue shows 6 of Calais town citizens who offered themselves as hostages to Edward III in 1347 during the English French 100 years war.
  • The original statuehas located in Calais and completed in 1889
  • Rodin's best known statue is 'The Thinker'

Emmeline Pankhurst Statue


  • Emmeline Pankhurst was a leading suffragette.

Location of Houses of Parliament

  • On the north bank (west bank at this location) of the River Thames immediately up river of Westminster Bridge.
  • At the southern end of Whitehall.
  • At the eastern end of Great George Street which is a continuation of Birdcage Walk from Buckingham Palace

Public Transport to Houses of Parliament & Parking

Parking


  • Note Parking is scarce & expensive - Public transport advised

Plan a Journey with London Transport

Website

Nearest Tube Station:  Westminster.

Bus Routes Nearest Bus Routes:

Along Millbank  3, 87

Along Whitehall 3, 11, 12, 24, 53, 87, 88, 159, 453

Along Victoria Street 11, 24, 148, 211

Over Westminster Bridge 12, 53, 148, 159, 211, 453

Over Lambeth Bridge  3, 507,  C10

See the Location of Palace of Westminster and Big Ben on our London West End Attraction Map

Riverside Terrace

A private terrace where Members of Parliament (MP's) and Lords, can lunch and dine during the summer.

Visiting Palace of Westminster and Big Ben

Visitors with permits or tickets can

  • Attend a debate
  • Watch a committee
  • Arrange a tour
  • Visit the Parliamentary Archives

Uk Residents only can also

  • Climb the Clock Tower Due to demand (3 to 6 months notice is normally required)

UK Residents


UK residents can obtain a permit to visit the Houses of Parliament by contacting their Member of Parliament of their constituency requesting a permit. More Information

Overseas visitors


Overseas visitors can purchase a ticket, but the periods when they can visit is seriously restricted.  More Information

Security Information for Visitors


Visitors should check out the following Security Information which has advise on Mobile phones, taking photographs, weapons & defence equipment & bags


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