The Palace of Westminster, situated on the north bank of the River Thames in London, serves as the meeting place for the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Often referred to as the Houses of Parliament, this iconic site is a masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic Revival architecture.
Designed by Sir Charles Barry, with significant contributions from A.W.N. Pugin, the current building was constructed between 1840 and 1860 following a devastating fire in 1834 that destroyed much of the original medieval complex. The structure is defined by its dramatic silhouette, which features three main towers: the Elizabeth Tower—home to the world-famous Great Clock and the bell known as Big Ben—the central tower, and the massive Victoria Tower.
The building also incorporates the 12th-century Westminster Hall, which survived the fire and remains the oldest part of the palace. Its magnificent oak hammer-beam roof is widely considered one of the greatest medieval construction achievements in wood.
 
Interesting facts...
Beyond its legislative duties, the palace functions almost like a self-contained town, housing amenities such as a post office, hair salon, gym, and multiple pubs for members and staff. Traditions run deep within the walls; for example, the floor markings in the House of Commons are reportedly spaced precisely two sword-lengths apart, a historical design choice intended to prevent dueling between Members of Parliament. Additionally, it is a common local urban legend that it is illegal to die within the building, allegedly because anyone who passes away inside would be entitled to a state funeral.