BIG BEN & THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT

1016 ( Original Building )  1840–1876 (reconstructed)

The Houses of Parliament, Queen Elisabeth Tower and Big Ben

Big Ben is the most requested London Landmark I get asked for while driving about this great city in my Hackney Carriage.

334 steps take you up to the belfry where since 11th July 1859 Big Ben has had rang out as London’s most iconic landmark. The Palace of Westminster spans over 900 years and is now the home of The House of Commons and The House of Lords. If you look at the colour of the bridges that flank both houses you can tell what part of the houses you are at, Westminster Bridge is “Green” and represents The House of Commons, Lambeth Bridge is “Red” and represents the House of Lords.

Thorney Island was a small island in Westminster where both The Palace of Westminster ( now The Houses of Parliament ) and Westminster Abbey where built. Thorney Island is though to be named after the Saxon for Þorn-īeg, meaning "Thorn Island".

The College Garden is considered the oldest garden in England at over 1000 years old and still survives today just across the road in Westminster Abbey.