The Palace of Westminster

Sitting on the Middlesex bank of the River Thames, consisting of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, the Palace of Westminster is commonly known as the Houses of Parliament. Elizabeth Tower, known to most as Big Ben sits at the north end of the Palace. Designed by Architect Charles Barry, construction began on the Perpendicular Gothic style building in 1840. Beset by many delays and overspending, the palace was completed 30 years later. The Palace of Westminster is one of the most recognisable buildings in the world, becoming a world heritage site in 1987.