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UK Parliament

Westminster Hall

Westminster Hall is the oldest building on the Parliamentary estate. What makes it such an astonishing building is not simply its great size and the magnificence of its roof, but its central role in British history. In and around the Hall, grew up the major institutions of the British state: Parliament, the law courts and various government offices.

Closely involved in the life of the nation since the 11th century, a journey through the Hall's past is a journey through 900 fascinating years of our history.

Architecture

The architecture of Westminster Hall has evolved over 900 years

Government and administration

Find out how Westminster Hall acted as the legal and administrative centre of the kingdom for several centuries

Events and other uses

Westminster Hall has been used for a fascinating variety of ceremonies and events since its construction in 1097

Key dates

Find out more about the important moments in the history of Westminster Hall

Contemporary context

Learn more about the present-day uses of Westminster Hall

Further your research

Reference material for more in-depth research

From the Parliamentary Collections

Explore the Parliamentary Collections for documents and images about Westminster Hall

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H M Airship 101 on Living Heritage

H M Airship 101 on Living Heritage

H M Airship R101 was one of a pair of experimental rigid airships commissioned by the British government in the 1920s as a method of long-distance air travel.

After a series of test flights, the R101 caught fire in Northern France, killing 48 of the 54 people on board. The victims lay in state at Westminster Hall on 10th October 1930.

Find out more

Also within Living Heritage

Westminster Hall is the oldest building in Parliament and virtually the only part of the ancient Palace of Westminster which survives in almost its original form. Find out more about its long history

The present-day Palace of Westminster, or the Houses of Parliament as it is also known, was constructed after a great fire in 1834. Find out more about its architecture and the history of the buildings that stood on the estate before the fire.

Related information

Take an interactive tour of Westminster Hall

Visitors to the Houses of Parliament can ask any questions about their visit, or the work of the House of Commons and House of Lords, at the information desk in Westminster Hall