The Houses of Parliament, otherwise known as The Palace of Westminster is one of my favourite buildings in London… I think it reminds of what the British Empire must have been like in its hey day. The Palace stands on the site where Edward the Confessor had the original palace built in the first half of the eleventh century. In 1547 the royal residence was moved to Whitehall Palace, but the Lords continued to meet at Westminster, while the commons met in St. Stephen’s Chapel. Ever since these early times, the Palace of Westminster has been home to the English Parliament.
I’m sure most of you know that the clock tower is called Big Ben, but did you know that it’s called this due to the fact that the largest bell in the tower, which weighs is at a mighty 13 tons is called Big Ben?
For more information about the home of democracy check out Parliament.uk.
