Houses Of Parliament

Westminster (SW1) Often described as the noblest block of buildings in England, the present magnificent Houses of Parliament were commenced by Sir Charles Barry in 1837, the old Houses of Parliament having been burned down in 1834. About three years were occupied in erecting the river-side wall, the foundations of the Houses themselves being begun in April 1840. The building of this huge palace, which was opened by Queen Victoria, occupied nineteen years, the cost being £3,000,000.