The building & its collections

The Palace of Westminster, or the Houses of Parliament as it is also known, has changed dramatically over the course of nearly a thousand years of history. Transformed from royal residence to the home of a modern democracy, the architecture and cultural collections of the Palace and the wider Parliamentary Estate have continually evolved, sometimes by design, sometimes through accident or attack.

The Palace of Westminster

The Palace of Westminster

The intriguing and colourful history of the buildings that make up the Houses of Parliament. Spanning 900 years from the times of the Anglo-Saxon kings to the present day

Other buildings on the Parliamentary Estate

Other buildings on the Parliamentary Estate

Increasing demands for space have meant the Parliamentary Estate now extends well beyond the Palace of Westminster. It includes the Norman Shaw buildings that were originally used by Scotland Yard, as well as buildings on Parliament Street and the most recent addition, Portcullis House.

Cultural collections

Cultural collections

Parliament holds a number of important historical collections. Items are collected or commissioned by Parliament because of their relevance to its work and the nation

Related information

Visiting
Visiting

Parliament is open to the UK public and overseas visitors. Attend debates, watch committee hearings and tour the buildings