A medieval hall in a Victorian palace
The Houses of Parliament and the Palace of Westminster are two names for the same building. What you see from the river is mostly the work of the 19th century. Inside it, Westminster Hall is far older, with building starting in 1097. Do not date the whole palace to that year: only the hall goes back that far.
Three events shape the story. A fire in 1834 destroyed much of the old palace. A rebuilding followed, led by two men with different strengths. Then in 1941 bombs hit the Commons chamber and the hall roof. The most recent chapter is a long discussion about restoring the building, with decisions still to come.
This is an independent guide, not affiliated with Parliament. For the clock tower alone, see the Big Ben history page.
Key dates
From the first hall to the restoration plans.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1097 | Building of Westminster Hall begins |
| 16 October 1834 | Fire destroys large parts of the old palace |
| After 1834 | Rebuilding by Charles Barry and Augustus Welby Pugin |
| 10 and 11 May 1941 | Bombs and fire destroy the Commons chamber and hit the roof of Westminster Hall |
| 1941 to 1950 | The Commons sit in the Lords chamber |
| 1987 | World Heritage listing with the Abbey and St Margaret's Church |
| February 2026 | Cost proposals for restoration approaches published |
Our picks: Parliament visits
Two ways to see the rooms where the history happened.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Parliament and Westminster Abbey with a local guide
Entry and a guided visit inside both the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, with no queue at the Abbey and a local English-speaking guide. Tips and hotel transfer are not included.
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Inside Parliament with a political audio guide
Reserved entry inside the Houses of Parliament with a Parliament audio guide and an audio app, and a host at the meeting point. There is no personal guide, headphones and a device for the app are not included, and neither is a Big Ben ticket.
Check availability →Tours that cover the palace and its history
Guided and audio tours of the Palace of Westminster, plus other Westminster visits, with live prices and availability.
The fire of 1834
One evening in October changed the skyline.
On 16 October 1834, old wooden tally sticks used for the Exchequer were burned in furnaces under the Lords area. The panelling caught fire, and the blaze took much of the old palace with it. Westminster Hall survived, helped by firefighting and a shift in the wind. You can see it on a tour today: read more about Westminster Hall.
The rebuilding gave the palace the look it has now. Charles Barry won the competition to design it. Augustus Welby Pugin helped with the drawings and shaped the Gothic details, the interiors, the fittings and the furniture. The question of who deserves more credit has been argued over for a long time, so it is fairer to name them both than to give the palace to one man.
The bombing of 1941
The Commons lost its chamber.
In the nights of 10 and 11 May 1941, bombs and fire destroyed the Commons chamber. The roof of Westminster Hall was hit too, and saving the hall was made the priority. From late June 1941 until October 1950 the Commons met in the Lords chamber, while the Lords used the Robing Room.
You can see both chambers on the guided tour or the audio tour. Compare them on the tours page, and see how to watch a sitting on the debate page.
Restoration and Renewal
The plans are still being decided.
The old building needs major work. In February 2026, cost proposals were published for four approaches. By late April 2026 the board overseeing the programme recommended a preparatory phase and narrowing the choice to two options. The preparatory works were estimated at 7 years and £3 billion. A decision on the main works is planned for 2030.
These are proposals and estimates, not approved final costs. They do not mean the building is closed to visitors. Tours and galleries run as listed, but check the current timetable before you go, as the palace is a working building. The visitor rules explain what to expect on arrival.
Palace of Westminster history: frequently asked questions
Are the Houses of Parliament and the Palace of Westminster the same?
Yes. Both names describe the same palace complex, which includes the Commons, the Lords and Westminster Hall.
When did the Palace of Westminster burn down?
On 16 October 1834. Much of the old palace was lost. Westminster Hall survived.
Who designed the present palace?
Charles Barry won the competition for the rebuilding. Augustus Welby Pugin helped with the drawings and shaped the Gothic details, interiors and furniture. Credit is shared between them.
What happened to the palace in the Second World War?
On 10 and 11 May 1941 the Commons chamber was destroyed by bombs and fire. The roof of Westminster Hall was hit, and the hall was saved first. The Commons then met in the Lords chamber until October 1950.
Will the palace close for restoration?
The 2026 proposals discuss a long programme of work, with a decision on the main phase planned for 2030. They are estimates and do not close the building to visitors now.