Hotels near Big Ben & Houses of Parliament

The Elizabeth Tower - universally known as Big Ben after its great bell - rises 96 metres above the Palace of Westminster and has become the single most photographed landmark in London. The Gothic Revival architecture of the Houses of Parliament, designed by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin after the devastating 1834 fire, stretches impressively along the north bank of the Thames. The building is a working parliament, and watching democracy in action from the public galleries is free when the Houses are sitting.

UK residents can arrange free tours of Parliament through their MP, while international visitors can book guided tours on Saturdays and during parliamentary recesses (around £30/~€35). The tour takes you through Westminster Hall (dating to 1097 and the oldest surviving part of the palace), the Lords Chamber with its gilded throne, and the Commons Chamber. For the best exterior photographs, head to Westminster Bridge or the South Bank opposite for the classic river-framed shot.

Pro Tip: The best time to photograph Big Ben is during golden hour on a clear evening from the South Bank, when the tower catches the warm light beautifully. At night, the illuminated clock faces are equally spectacular from Albert Embankment near Lambeth Bridge.