Standing beside the Thames, the Houses of Parliament forms one of London's most recognizable silhouettes. This Gothic Revival masterpiece isn't just a pretty facade – it's where British democracy plays out daily, housing both the House of Commons and House of Lords within what's officially called the Palace of Westminster.

The building you see today has quite a dramatic origin story. The original medieval palace, which had served as a royal residence since William the Conqueror's time and later housed Parliament from 1512, went up in flames during a devastating fire in 1834. Only Westminster Hall, some cloisters, and the Jewel Tower survived the blaze. Rather than patching things up, Victorian Britain decided to build something spectacular from scratch.

Architects Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin won the competition with their ambitious Gothic design. By 1847, they'd created a complex with 1,200 rooms, 11 courtyards, and over three kilometers of corridors. The attention to detail is remarkable – every spire, pinnacle, and carved stone tells part of Britain's story.

What strikes me most is how the building balances grandeur with functionality. The Victoria Tower at one end houses copies of every Parliamentary act since 1497, while Big Ben's tower anchors the other side. Walking along the riverfront, you get the full impact of those golden pinnacles and royal statues reflected in the water.

The palace became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, grouped with Westminster Abbey and St Margaret's Church. It's recognition of how this cluster of buildings shaped not just British governance, but democratic systems worldwide – the "Westminster system" gets its name from here, after all.

Guy Fawkes tried to blow the original building to smithereens in 1605 during his famous Gunpowder Plot. He failed spectacularly, but November 5th bonfire celebrations still commemorate the event across Britain.

If you visit Houses of Parliament London, timing matters. Tours run on Saturdays and during summer months when Parliament isn't sitting. The building covers an enormous area – over 112,000 square meters – so there's plenty to explore. Discover all the secrets of the Houses of Parliament with our complete London audio guide to fully appreciate the political intrigue and architectural brilliance packed into this Thames-side monument.