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Categories: Landmarks & Historical Buildings, Local Flavour [Edit]
Palace of WestminsterWestminster (Circle, District, Jubilee)
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This is my most favourite landmarks in London. I left wanting to be a member of the House of Lords. It is truly stunning and the tour guide was just superb - she made it all the more interesting. It is a must visit spot for everyone!!
Had a tour here with my class the other day. We're all American and thus have no idea of the history of Parliament. Actually, we had no idea of the current state of affairs either.
Our tour guide was knowledgeable and trying blatantly hard to hide his disdain for us and contempt for his job. Our tour was supposed to be 90 minutes but was cut short (in half, actually) given that it was "budget day" and the more impressive parts of the building were closed to the public. A fact our tour guide was not aware of until the bouncer informed him at the gate of the temporary no-entry policy.
In all, a large, impressive building. Lots of important people conduct important business here. You should probably go see it, just take note of the intense security code and be sure not to visit on Budget Day.
The Houses of Parliament is one of the most recognizable landmarks in London. It is best photographed if you cross the bridge on your way to the London Eye and get the Thames River in the foreground. I love the architecture.
The Houses of Parliament contain so much beauty that it cannot be captured on film. It must be seen in person. Literally every inch of the building has intricate details. It is a work of art, even more so beneath the light of the sunset. I heart you London!
BIG BIG and more BIG
What can I say.. it's big. and i find it ironic cuz it's called ben.. I dont associate big with the name ben, if it were big andre, or big bob, or big ed... but not big ben. but i suppose it's possible considering big ben really refers to your bells. lulz. but other wise great spot with magnificent engineering along with the decorative design itself.
Now if I could only stick my head out of the clock face...
;D
Dear Ben,
Let me get something off my chest: I was truly worried I was witnessing overcompensation in action when I first set eyes upon you, Benny. I mean, let's be honest... is "BIG" Ben really the most appropriate name? Perhaps "moderately large yet stunningly beautiful and iconic Ben" might be a better call.
However, I was quietly reminded that Big Ben is not actually your name, but rather just the name of your, well, "bell" that sits inside. Turns out you can achieve a whole hell of a lot with a big set of bells, and I can certainly appreciate that.
Happy birthday buddy! Here's to 150 more.
Hey, do you feel like re-creating a moment from Bridget Jones? I went in and sat in on a parliamentary meeting with a class that had already started, but technically the public is allowed to sit-in so they couldn't stop us from going in, but my god it was the most awkward thing I've ever done in my life. The room wasn't very big and it was a small committee meeting and they all STOPPED dead in their debate and watched us file in to the back seats. Whoops! Well if you've ever want to stop a committee meeting dead in its tracks like she does, you've got the green light to do it here. The architecture of the building is stunning and there was an exhibit in the Parliament Hall when I was there which I'm assuming changes, but you get to see the wooden roofing that survived the fire of 1834.
Well worth a visit, do try to go inside, otherwise hang out with the 24/7 stream of tourists outside.
My suggestion is that you go to the Tate Britain and then walk along the river towards Westminster because you'll enter via the south gardens and have (what I consider) a better view before you walk around to the front/main points of interest. (Then go to Gordon's for wine because you're soooo close to Embankment, see, I just planned your day for you).
Listed in: Feeling Touristy?
Oh did my English friends have fun teaching me this rhyme:
Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...
(FYI we Americans don't celebrate Guy Fawkes day, heck I hadn't even heard of it before I came here... but now I can't forget this saying...)
I'm sorry but I thought Big Ben would be err, ummmm, BIGGER....
FYI for Americans, you can only tour Parliament if your American during the summer months so if you really want to see Parliament plan your trip in the summer. UK residents can tour and watch laws being made whenever they feel like it. I am here on a renewable Visa and I didn't take the tour last time I saw Parliament, but I am going again soon and am not sure if my Visa qualifies me as a UK resident or just an expat thats still a foreign national (I am going to try and book a tour through my MP so I'll keep you guys updated on whether or not it works out).
Either way you should do it... its a landmark and Big Ben is one of the most recognisable symbols like the Sphinx or the Great Wall.
.... BUT YOU WOULD THINK BIG BEN WAS HUGE WOULDN'T YOU? I MEAN THE FREAKING NAMED IT BIG BEN!!!
Listed in: It's London init...
A classic UK landmark.
The architecture is as antique as architecture can get. I love the tower points and the lace-like intricacies on the faces of the buildings. It's said that Big Ben will celebrate it's 150th birthday this year. Way to go Big Ben!
Listed in: London's Calling
I used to work for an MP in the adjacent building (there is an underground tunnel connecting it to Westminister). I had the luxury of attending select committee meetings, Prime Minister's Question Time, and many parliamentary debates during that time.
We could learn a lot from the Brits. They have much more transparency of government, and their debates actually mean something -- substantive arguments are brought forward and considered. Here, positions are predetermined and our legislators never have the chance to interrogate the President about his (or her - only a matter of time!) decisions -- let alone on a weekly basis!
Westminister is extraordinary building. The architecture is stunning and the inside is very well-preserved and full of history. If you write to your MPs, you can sign up for PM's Question Time or for a tour of the building. I definitely recommend it. Tourists should also check out the London Eye across the street/river.
There's Big Ben...there's Parliament...There's Big Ben...There's Parliament.
Sorry that's what I think of every time I see or hear of either one (It's a scene from the movie European Vacation for those that didn't get it)
Fun fact I learned about Big Ben.
None of us has actually seen Big Ben. What do I mean? Well actually Big Ben is the bell in the tower not the tower itself.
Listed in: I Yelp London!
I've never written to my MP for a tour of this place - I don't know if I even have an MP as a temporary worker in this country (guess I should know more political stuff) - so I can't talk much about the inside of the (say this next part in booming tones...) PALACE OF WESTMINSTER. I can tell you about the outside though.
I love this building from many standpoints - from an architectural standpoint, from an aesthetic standpoint, from the east, from the west, from the north and the south, from an upright standpoint, from a lying down so therefore unstandpoint, and more. It's just beaaauuuutiful Somehow, the stone adopts a golden color as though spun from the hands of Rumplestiltskin. The many turrets spiraling skyward create a fascinating silhouette. The verticals of the building's ribbing carry the eyes up and down.... oh I verge of the risk of sounding like a flake.
Word on the street is, to sum it up, that this place is a sight to see, not just because a tourist book says so, but because it's just down right a stunning piece of architecture. There's also a little park right next to it from which you can appreciate the Western most facade without fear of being run down by psychotic motorists.
It's a common misconception that the Palace of Westminster (aka the Houses of Parliament) is out of bounds for the general public. Wrong! As the taxpayer, you own the place and therefore have the right to go inside. All it requires is a quick letter to your MP and you'll be granted entry.
The building is just as amazing inside as it is outside, full of history and stories which are all told to you by tour guides who are very knowledgeable about everything that has happened in the building's history.
There is more to the House than just the chambers. Even the halls, lobbies and corridors all have some kind of function or history behind them. Among some of the unique experiences you can have include standing at the ballot box where Prime Ministers deliver speeches and debate, the House of Lords and even the Queen's robing room (her changing room for the State Opening of Parliament). It really is an access all areas tour and best of all, it is free of charge.
It probably goes without saying that security here is tight so before you go, make sure that all items which could be seen as dangerous (scissors, tools etc) are removed from your bags and that you have your letter from your MP confirming your permission to enter the Palace. You probably will stumble across a member of the Government upon your tour (we met Yvette Cooper on our tour) so it is understandable as to why this is. Bags are checked at the door and there is a checkpoint before you enter.
The tour lasts just over an hour and seems not long enough. It is a must of you are visiting London and an ideal, highly memorable attraction if you have visitors coming from abroad.
Happy birthday, Big Ben. One of the most famous landmarks in London. Easily recognizable and absolutely breathtaking.
It is quite easy to understand the appeal of the Houses of Parliament and their famous clock tower, Big Ben. I mean, it hardly gets more English than this, or British, rather, as they speak to the Empire that was more than the UK that has come. No matter. They're hardly something that a local takes notice of but, I believe, something in which we all take great pride, a jewel in the crown, if you will, in an already bedazzled sector of town.
Looks marvelous and beautifully towering, just like in the postcards!
I can't recommend enough writing to your MP so you can go on a 75 minute tour of Parliament. If you are not a UK citizen then you are only permitted tours during the summer season but it is well worth the wait. You will hear stories of all the historic events that have happened at Parliament, such as where William Wallace was tried, where the Queen Mum was on display upon her death, or the ghost that haunt the building, such as Jane "the nine days queen". There are amazing works of art (the painting of the Battle of Waterloo must be covered up when the French representatives are present so our guide says). Make sure to rub the foot of the statue of Winston Churchill, and make your wish. You can stand on the podium of the Prime Minister and pretend to give a speech as I did. Good luck sneaking a camera in... There are so many stories, so much to see, and so much history that I cannot convey it all in this tiny review, all I can say is that your visit to London will never be complete until you have seen inside of Parliament.
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