Palace of Westminster

★ 4.7 (5,932)Free

The Palace of Westminster has housed the House of Commons and House of Lords since medieval times, though the building seen today is largely the work of Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin, rebuilt after a catastrophic fire destroyed most of the original structure in 1834. Its river frontage, capped by the Elizabeth Tower, is one of the most photographed stretches of the Thames and reviewers consistently rate the view alongside the history as the highlight, even from outside. A 4.7 rating across nearly 6,000 reviews reflects a spot people rank highly once they've actually stopped to look rather than just walked past, and it's most rewarding paired with a slow stroll rather than treated as a checkbox photo.

✨ Reasons to go

1The current building was largely rebuilt by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin after an 1834 fire destroyed most of the original medieval palace.
2The Elizabeth Tower, housing Big Ben, anchors the palace's riverside facade along the Thames.
3UK residents can arrange free tours through their local MP, while overseas visitors can book paid tours when Parliament is in recess.

💡 Good to know

1View it from the far bank near the London Eye or from Westminster Bridge for the full facade
2if you want to go inside, UK residents can arrange a free tour via their MP while overseas visitors can book paid tours when Parliament is in recess
3visit early morning or evening for good light and thinner crowds.

⏱️ Typical visit

20 min

🕰️ Best time

early morning, early evening or evening

🚶 Walking intensity

Easy pace

📍

Address

London SW1A 0AA, UKGoogle Apple

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Booking

Walk-in

What people say

"A beautiful and iconic landmark with stunning architecture and rich history. The views along the Thames are fantastic. It can get quite crowded, but it's definitely worth visiting."

— Dr. Abishesh Shakya

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