The Houses of Parliament are also known as the Palace of Westminster. The Royal Palace did indeed stand here on the banks of the River Thames, before it was devastated by the Great Fire of 1834. The design of the current complex was entrusted to the architects Charles Barry and Augustin Pugin. Construction of the new palace began in 1840 and was completed in 1870. Despite the dominance of Neoclassicism during this period, the palace is a perfect example of Gothic revival architecture and home to both The House of Commons and The House of Lords. The famous clock tower next to it is actually called 'Elizabeth Tower'; Big Ben is the name given to the bell inside it that chimes the time. Tip: The Parliament is open to the public and you can either attend the public galleries to witness parliamentary debates for free or purchase a ticket for a guided/audio tour on certain days of the week.