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Houses of Parliament - Buckingham Palace - Westminster Abbey - Cabinet War Rooms - Chapter House - Jewel Tower
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From the design work of Inigo Jones and the spectacular ceilings of Reubens, to the privacy of the Undercroft,
used by James I as a haven from the commotion of court.
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Telephone: |
0207 930 4179 |
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On The Web: |
www.hrp.org.uk |
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Opening Times: |
Mon-Sat: 10.00 to 17.00 Last admission 16.30 Closed Sundays and at short notice for Government functions. |
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Tube: |
District or Circle Line to Westminster or Embankment. Northern or Bakerloo Line to Charing Cross or Embankment. Jubilee line to Charing Cross. |
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Rail: |
Charing Cross. |
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Bus: |
3, 11, 24, 53, 77A, 88, 112. |
Houses of Parliament, The two Houses of Parliament, the House of Commons and the House of Lords, are situated within the vast, elegant Gothic building, the Palace of Westminster, which was built in 1512, burned down, and then replaced in 1834. The House of Commons, which is where England's principal political parties, such as Labour and Conservative, meet, decide the country's social, foreign, even economic policies. The sessions in the Commons assume a greater relevance in the running of the country than the sessions in the House of Lords. The House of Lords is a more sedate and harmless version of the debates in the Commons, and inspire a more significant form of lethargy.
It is possible to obtain tickets to watch both Houses in session,
but you have to order them well in advance. I strongly recommend you visit the Commons. When Parliament is in session
you can watch the debates from the Strangers' Gallery. It is best to try and witness the Commons debates from 17:00
onwards, although they do meet quite frequently. The House of Lords sessions can vary, depending on when the elderly
lords and gentlemen who take part in the debates can rouse themselves sufficiently to grace the house with their
presence.
The four-faced clock tower imposing itself atop Parliament was originally hung in 1858. The 14-tonne bell, Big Ben, is always present and consistently chimes on the hour, whilst four smaller bells ring every 15 minutes.
For information on the House of Commons call 0207 219 4272.
For information on the House of Lords call 0207
219 3107.
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Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace Road SW I. (Map Ref 2.)
Every traveller arriving in England inevitably places a visit to Buckingham Palace, the home of the Royal Family,
on the top of their list. Its most renowned ceremony, the Changing of the Guard, takes place in the Palace forecourt.
The Palace was first built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham. Then, in 1820, King George IV commissioned a state palace to be built, which was not frequented by a sovereign until Queen Victoria in 1837. It has been the London home of the Royal Family ever since then. When the Queen is staying at the Palace, the Royal Standard flag flies above, whilst the Union Flag flies above at all times of the year. There is a tour of the Palace, as well as The Royal Mews, where you will be able to see the Queen's carriage and the carriage horses, which are used on State occasions. You will have an opportunity to visit the Queen's Gallery as well, which have on display the Queen's collection of classic paintings. The most impressive paintings are the 16th and 17th century British artists.
The Changing of the Guard, which takes place at 11:30 every
day in June represents England's pageantry at its most stylish and impressive. The Queen's personal guard, the
Foot Guards, put on a sumptuous, colourful display when one of their divisions, the Old Guard, hand over the reins
of duty to the New Guard. The New Guard march to the Palace from the nearby Wellington Barracks accompanied by
a band. The ceremony, which takes between 30-40 minutes to complete, consists of three officers and 40 soldiers.
There are also three gun salutes on the 2nd, 10th, and 13th of June. The most important salute is on the 13th,
when the Trooping of the Colour marks the Queen's official birthday. For the sheer prestige and majesty of the
occasion, this experience should not be missed.
It is worth taking time out to enjoy the entire Buckingham
Palace/Changing the Guard spectacle. All you need to do is turn up for the Changing of the Guard free of charge,
but it is best to get there well in advance so that you can obtain an excellent view. For details on the Buckingham
Palace and The Royal Mews tour call 0207 839
1377. For information on The Changing of
the Guard call 0891 505 452.
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Westminster Abbey
Broad Sanctuary SW I. (Map
Ref 3.)
Very close to the Houses of Parliament is Westminster Abbey, scene of many royal coronations, weddings, and burials
since Alexander the Great ventured into England in 1066. The present church is an architectural masterpiece of
medieval times, from around the 13th to the 16th centuries. The Abbey is not only the resting place for many great
monarchs down the ages, but also famous English poets and scientists. You will be able to see the graves of the
poets in Poets Corner, with geniuses such as John Donne and William Wordsworth
The tour of the Abbey is a majestical experience, with the enigmatic grave of the Unknown Warrior, the Shrine of the innovative king Edward the Confessor, the intricate beauty of Henry V11's Chapel, and of course the Coronation chair, where monarchs, down the ages, have been crowned. The epic grandeur and the breathless sense of spaciousness inside the Abbey will overawe you to such an extent that you will feel like an ant at the mercy of a giant, formidable force. The eerie atmosphere, especially around the graves and tombs, forged with the majesty of the Abbey, will allow you to succumb to a pure feeling of holiness and nobility. God seems at his most omniscient and omnipresent in places such as this.
The Westminster Abbey Museum is also well worth a
look because of its expansive collection of Royal effigies. It is advisable to go on a guided tour once you are
in the museum. For more information on Westminster Abbey call 0207
222 5152.
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Cabinet War Rooms
Clive Steps, King Charles Street SWI. (Map Ref 4.)
One of the most historically fascinating visits from this century is a visit to the Cabinet War Rooms, where Prime
Minister Winston Churchill and his War Cabinet planned England's military tactics and manoeuvres during World War
II. If you love history, even if you enjoy going back in time to a bygone era, these war rooms are simply a delight.
Their authenticity, mystery, and the feeling that you are entering a timewarp and chancing upon early 1940s London
leave you with a very strong and memorable impression.
The fact that the Cabinet War Rooms are situated underground, and have been preserved as they were when Churchill inhabited them, gives you a claustrophobic idea as to how they spent their time. Its strong sense of place makes you feel totally in tune with your historical surroundings. These peculiar underground headquarters, filled as they are with a labyrinth of 21 rooms, take you through the cabinet rooms meticulously, offering you the chance to see how Churchill's military campaigns were concocted and conducted meticulously. You will even get a chance to view Churchill's bedroom, with his ever-present cigar by his bed.
One of the most awe-inspiring moments of the visit
are the fabulous surroundings from whence he delivered his stirring, heart-rending speeches which placed hope in
the minds of Britain's citizens when Germany looked as though they might conquer the island. Whilst you are in
Westminster visiting its more popular attractions, I would beseech you to spend an hour of your time checking out
Churchill's little hidey-hole. For information on the Cabinet War Rooms phone 0207 930 6961.
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Chapter House
Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London.
Take an audio tour and enjoy this unique, octagonal building to the full. In the Chapter House, within Westminster Abbey, you can see some of the finest of all medieval wallpaintings and English sculpture. Built in 1520 by the Royal Masons, the Chapter House still has its original floor of newly conserved glazed tiles, its delicate central column and beautiful vaulted ceiling.
When you visit the Pyx Chamber, you can see some of the Abbey treasures and then move on to the Abbey museum, containing a range of medieval royal effigies.
Opening Times:
1 Apr - 30 Sept 2000 daily, 9.30am - 5pm.
1 Oct - 31 Oct 2000 daily, 10am - 5pm.
1 Nov 2000 - 31 Mar 2001 daily, 10am - 4pm. (Closed 24th - 26th Dec and 1 Jan 2001)
Pyx Chamber 10.30am - 4pm all year.
May be closed at short notice on state occasions. Tel 020
7222 5897
Admission
Adults £2.50.
Concessions £1.90.
Children £1.30 (under 5's free).
15% discount on groups of 11 or more.
Facilities
Gift shop, audio tours, museum.
Travel
By car: Westminster Abbey
By train: Victoria and Charing Cross both 3/4 mile, Waterloo 1 mile.
By bus: Tel 020 7222 1234 for details.
By tube: Westminster 1/4 mile, St. James Park.
Jewel Tower
Westminster, London.
Opposite the
Houses of Parliment you can visit one of only two surviving buildings of the original Palace of Westminster, built
in 1365.
Today, 600 years later, our 'Parliment Past and Present' Exhibition, shows how Parliment works and a touch screen computer will lead you on a tour of the Commons and the Lords.
Opening Times:
1 Apr - 30 Sept 2000 daily, 10am - 6pm.
1 Oct - 31 Oct 2000 daily, 10am - 5pm.
1 Nov 2000 - 31 Mar 2001 daily, 10am - 4pm. (Closed 24th - 26th Dec and 1 Jan 2001)
May be closed at short notice on state occasions. Tel 020
7222 2219
Admission
Adults £1.50.
Concessions £1.10.
Children £0.80 (under 5's free).
15% discount on groups of 11 or more.
Facilities
Gift shop, exhibition and video, light refreshments.
Travel
By car: Opposite south end of the Houses of Parliment.
By train: Charing Cross 3/4 mile, Waterloo and Victoria both 1 mile.
By bus: Tel 020 7222 1234 for details.
By tube: Westminster