Walk along the Thames in London, and you can’t miss it-the grand Gothic towers rising above the river, the clock face glowing at dusk, the chime of Big Ben echoing across Westminster. The Houses of Parliament isn’t just a building. It’s the beating heart of British democracy, a symbol of London’s history, and the backdrop to countless photos taken by tourists and locals alike. For Londoners, it’s not just a landmark-it’s part of the daily rhythm of the city, visible from the Tube ride home, the lunchtime walk across Westminster Bridge, or the quiet moment watching the sunset from St. Thomas’ Hospital.
More Than Just a Clock Tower
People often say "Big Ben" when they mean the whole building. But Big Ben is actually the name of the great bell inside the Elizabeth Tower. The tower itself was renamed in 2012 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. Before that, it was just called the Clock Tower. The confusion is understandable-even Londoners mix it up. The building housing the House of Commons and the House of Lords? That’s the Palace of Westminster, or the Houses of Parliament. And yes, it’s all one complex, wrapped in stone, steel, and centuries of political drama.The clock is a marvel of Victorian engineering. Built in 1859, it’s still accurate to within two seconds per week. The mechanism hasn’t been fully modernized. It’s wound by hand three times a week by a team of clockmakers who climb 334 steps to the belfry. The bell weighs 13.5 tons, and when it chimes, the sound travels up to five miles-heard in parts of Southwark, Lambeth, even as far as Crystal Palace on a quiet night. If you’ve ever stood on the South Bank at 8 a.m. and heard that deep, resonant bing-bong roll over the water, you know why it’s iconic.
A Living Building, Not a Museum
Unlike the Tower of London or Hampton Court, the Houses of Parliament isn’t frozen in time. It’s still where laws are made, debates are fought, and ministers answer questions every Wednesday at PMQs. You can watch Parliament in action for free-just show up at the Visitor Entrance on the north side of the building. No tickets needed, but you’ll need to pass through security (think airport-style scans, but quicker). Locals often drop by during lunch to catch a session. It’s a quiet form of civic pride, like popping into the Tate Modern or sitting in on a free concert at the Barbican.Guided tours run Monday to Friday, and they’re one of the best ways to understand how the building works. The tour takes you through the Robing Room, where the monarch dons their crown before the State Opening of Parliament, and the Central Lobby, where MPs and lobbyists mingle like a political networking event. You’ll see the green leather benches of the Commons, where backbenchers sometimes nod off during long debates, and the red benches of the Lords, where peers in robes still debate wearing hats indoors-a tradition dating back to the 17th century.
The Fire, the War, the Restoration
The current building isn’t the first. In 1834, a fire destroyed most of the old palace. The rebuilding took 30 years and cost a fortune. Architect Charles Barry won the commission, but it was Augustus Pugin who designed the intricate Gothic details-the carvings, the stained glass, the ironwork. Every gargoyle, every finial, every stained window tells a story. The House of Commons chamber was bombed in 1941 during the Blitz. Churchill ordered it rebuilt exactly as before, saying, "We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us." The chamber you see today is a faithful replica, complete with the same worn floorboards and the same smell of old leather and pipe smoke.Restoration work is still ongoing. A £4 billion refurbishment, started in 2017, is slowly fixing crumbling stonework, outdated wiring, and asbestos. For years, MPs worked in temporary offices in the nearby Millbank Tower. Even now, parts of the building are cordoned off. But the clock still ticks. The bells still chime. The lights still shine through the windows at night. It’s a reminder that some things in London endure-even through war, fire, and bureaucracy.
Best Ways to See It-From London
If you’re a Londoner, you’ve probably seen the Houses of Parliament a hundred times. But here’s how to see it differently:- Take the Thames Clipper from Westminster Pier to Tower Bridge. The view from the river is unmatched-especially at golden hour, when the sun hits the tower and the water glows.
- Walk across Lambeth Bridge at dusk. The building lights up slowly, one tower at a time, like a slow reveal. You’ll see locals stopping to take photos, just like tourists.
- Visit the rooftop terrace at The Shard. On a clear day, you can see Parliament from 800 feet up, framed by the London Eye and St. Paul’s.
- Grab a pint at The Churchill Arms in Kensington, then take the District Line to Westminster. The station exit opens right onto the square. If you time it right, you’ll catch the Changing of the Guard at nearby Horse Guards Parade.
For a quiet moment, head to the small garden behind St. Margaret’s Church-the parish church of the Houses of Parliament. It’s free, rarely crowded, and has a bench right under the shadow of the tower. Locals come here to read, meditate, or just sit with their coffee. It’s one of London’s most overlooked spots.
Why It Matters to Londoners
The Houses of Parliament isn’t just a tourist attraction. It’s part of London’s identity. It’s where the UK’s leaders argue about the NHS, housing, immigration, and climate change-issues that affect every Londoner. When the bells chime on New Year’s Eve, the city stops. People gather on the South Bank, holding sparklers, watching the clock face. It’s not just a countdown-it’s a shared moment of belonging.Even in a city of 9 million people, this building connects us. It’s the place where a council worker from Croydon might get a letter from their MP. Where a student from Camden might write a petition that becomes law. Where a tourist from Tokyo might stand in awe, not because it’s pretty, but because they understand: this is where decisions are made that ripple across the world.
What’s Next for the Houses of Parliament?
The restoration will finish around 2028. When it does, the building will be safer, greener, and more accessible. New lifts, better heating, solar panels on the roof-all part of making it fit for the 21st century. But the goal isn’t to modernize it into something new. It’s to preserve it as it is: a living monument.There are talks about opening more public spaces-maybe a visitor centre with interactive exhibits on how laws are made. Maybe even a café in the old boiler house. But no one wants to turn it into a theme park. Londoners know: this isn’t Disney. It’s history, grit, and democracy-all wrapped in stone.
Is Big Ben the name of the tower or the bell?
Big Ben is the name of the great bell inside the Elizabeth Tower. The tower itself was called the Clock Tower until 2012, when it was renamed to honor Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. Many people use "Big Ben" to refer to the whole building, but technically, it’s just the bell.
Can I go inside the Houses of Parliament for free?
Yes. UK residents can watch debates in the House of Commons or House of Lords for free by queuing at the Visitor Entrance on the north side of the building. You’ll need to pass through security, but no booking is required. Tours with guided commentary are available for a fee and must be booked in advance.
What’s the best time to visit to avoid crowds?
Early morning (before 9 a.m.) or late afternoon (after 4 p.m.) are the quietest times. Weekdays are better than weekends. If you want to see the clock face lit up, go just after sunset-around 5 p.m. in winter, 8:30 p.m. in summer. The building is beautifully illuminated after dark.
Is the Houses of Parliament open on public holidays?
The building is closed on major UK public holidays like Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. On bank holidays, tours may be suspended, but you can still view the exterior. Check the official Parliament website for real-time updates before planning your visit.
Can I hear Big Ben chime from outside London?
Yes. On clear, still nights, the chime can be heard up to five miles away-parts of South London, Surrey, and even Kent. The sound carries best over water, so areas along the Thames like Greenwich or Richmond often catch it clearly. Some radio stations broadcast the chime live during New Year’s Eve.
