As one of London’s most popular attractions, it is worth arriving at the palace early to beat the crowds.
More commonly known as the Houses of Parliament, the Palace of Westminster is one of London’s most recognisable and visited attractions. Marked by Big Ben at its northern edge, and sitting across the water from the London Eye, the palace sits at the epicentre of London’s sightseeing scene, but also has a more profound importance for the nation as a whole, and is often referred to as “the heart of British politics”.
Medieval Beginnings
The Palace of Westminster has been the seat of the English government since the middle of the 11th century. When the two-house parliament was created in 1265, it was at first only the House of Lords which sat in the palace, and it was not until 1547 that the House of Commons moved here permanently, thus cementing the palace’s importance to the national government.
Out of the Ashes
A devastating 1834 fire destroyed most of the palace, and Sir Charles Barry was commissioned to draw up its replacement. The new structure took almost thirty years to complete, but Barry’s neo-Gothic design was widely admired, with his new clock tower, now known as Big Ben, being a particular favourite. The sharply-fluted formal structure particularly impressed Claude Monet, who painted a series of canvases of the palace in different lighting conditions.
If you’re interested in the Palace’s interior, there are several intriguing areas inside which are open to the public. Besides the debating chambers of the Lords and the Commons, you can explore the wonderfully historic Westminster Hall, one of the few parts of the palace to survive the fire, which has a stunning vaulted ceiling.
Please Note: timing of the itinerary, including lunch and Westminster Abbey, are subject to change.
Please note: that the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace happens on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, but can be subject to change and weather conditions. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays you will see the changing of the Horseguards at Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall. You can check the schedule here: https://changing-guard.com/dates-buckingham-palace.html
These tours have been designed to be delivered within the city of London. If you want to do a day trip out of town or to a different area, please reach out directly so we can reconfirm the duration and the itinerary for the day.
Explore the hub of British politics, power, and royalty on this two-hour private driving tour of Westminster and Central London in an iconic London Black Cab. With your expert private driver-guide, you will pass by all of Westminster’s historic landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, and Westminster Abbey.
On your private tour, you will:
Discover the real history of power, politics, and monarchy in London on this express two-hour private tour of iconic London landmarks with an expert Cabbie who not only knows London like the back of their hand but is also a historian... with many royal and historic secrets to share with you!
Whether you are interested in the British monarchy's royal palaces or the historic UK Parliament based at Westminster for over 1000 years, your expert guide is more than happy to spill all the gossip, alongside the history of any topic which may interest you.
Learn about the ancient coronation rituals that have been taking place at Westminster Abbey since William the Conqueror on Christmas Day 1066 up to the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1952 and King Charles III. Admire the awe-inspiring Gothic architecture of the Abbey that has stood the test of time for over 1000 years.
Your guide is ready to discuss anything you throw their way - including filming locations for Harry Potter, James Bond, and Downton Abbey, among many others. In short, for any curiosity, you may have about London today and British history as a whole, you're in great hands!
These tours have been designed to be delivered within the city of London. If you want to do a day trip out of town or to a different area, please reach out directly so we can reconfirm the duration and the itinerary for the day.
These tours have been designed to be delivered within the city of London. If you want to do a day trip out of town or to a different area, please reach out directly so we can reconfirm the duration and the itinerary for the day.
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