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 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
Increasing demand for space has 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.
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
Visit our website to learn more about the Programme to refurbish the Palace of Westminster. Find the latest news, videos and reports.