Geograph - photograph every grid square

The Houses of Parliament viewed from Westminster Bridge. The present building was opened in 1867 and replaced the earlier Palace of Westminster when much of it was destroyed by fire in 1834. All that survived the fire was the remarkable Westminster Hall which dates from 1097 and was the setting for the trial of King Charles I. The architect of this building was Sir Charles Barry. The Duke of Wellington ordered that the new building should back onto the river so that it could not be surrounded by an angry mob. The building's river frontage is 940 ft (287m). The Victoria Tower can be seen in the background, it is 336 ft (101m) high. The flag pole is a further 50 ft (15m) high.