Visit

Buckingham Palace was built in 1825 by John Nash. This has been a royal residence since 1837. You can visit 18 of the Buckingham Palace’s 775 rooms including the grand halls used for state occasions. Tickets for Buckingham Palace can be booked through the hotel reception, at any London Tourist Information Office or at the ticket office in Green Park, which opens daily at 9.00am.

Top tip: When visiting Buckingham Palace, make sure you visit the gift shop in the garden for beautiful souvenirs you cannot find anywhere else.

Fun fact: You can check that the Queen is home by looking to see if the Royal Standard Flag is flying. If she isn’t home, the Union Flag flies instead.

The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place every day at 11.30am and lasts 45 minutes. The ceremony takes place when the Queen’s Guard, accompanied by a military band, marches via Birdcage Walk to Buckingham Palace and changes inside the Palace gates.

Top tip: Hundreds of people gather to watch the Changing of the Guard everyday so try and get there as early as possible to bag the best spot.

Fun fact: The proper name of the ceremony known as ‘Changing of the Guard’ is actually Guard Mounting.

The Houses of Parliament’s Elizabeth Tower, which is commonly called Big Ben, is one of London’s most iconic landmarks. Big Ben is the nickname given to the massive bell inside the clock tower, which weighs more than 13 tons. The clock tower looks spectacular at night when the four clock faces are illuminated.

Top tip: Visit Big Ben as close to the hour as you can to hear the bells ring.

Fun fact: Big Ben is the world’s largest four-faced chiming clock.

The Georgian House Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning to visit the Houses of Parliament. This famous area of London is located in Westminster and is easy to reach walking (20 minutes on foot), by bus or underground.

The UK Houses of Parliament is one of the oldest representative assemblies in the world, having its origins in the mid-13th Century. From the 14th Century, parliamentary government in the United Kingdom has been based on a two-chamber system. The House of Lords (the upper house) and the House of Commons(the lower house) sit separately and are constituted on entirely different principles. The relationship between the two Houses is governed largely by convention but is in part defined by the Parliament Acts. The legislative process involves both Houses of Parliament and the Monarch.

The main functions of Parliament are to:

• make all UK law
• provide, by voting for taxation, the means of carrying on the work of government
• protect the public and safeguard the rights of individuals
• scrutinise government policy and administration, including proposals for expenditure
• examine European proposals before they become law
• hear appeals in the House of Lords, the highest Court of Appeal in Britain
• debate the major issues of the day. Parliament has a maximum duration of five years. At any time up to the end of this period, a general election can be held for a new House of Commons.

There are devolved Parliaments/Assemblies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland created by legislation passed by the UK Parliament.
Houses of Parliament – House of Lords
The House of Lords is the second chamber of the U.K. Houses of Parliament. Members of the House of Lords (known as ‘peers’) consist of Lords Spiritual (senior bishops) and Lords Temporal (lay peers). Law Lords (senior judges) also sit as Lords Temporal. Members of the House of Lords are not elected. Originally, they were drawn from the various groups of senior and influential nobility in Britain, who advised the monarch throughout the country’s early history.
Houses of Parliament – House of Commons
The House of Commons is the centre of parliamentary power. It is directly responsible to the electorate, and from the 20th century the House of Lords has recognised the supremacy of the elected chamber.

The House of Commons is traditionally regarded as the lower house, but it is the main parliamentary arena for political battle. A Government can only remain in office for as long as it has the support of a majority in the House of Commons. As with the House of Lords, the House of Commons debates new primary legislation as part of the process of making an Act of Parliament, but the Commons has primacy over the non-elected House of Lords. ‘Money bills’, concerned solely with taxation and public expenditure, are always introduced in the Commons and must be passed by the Lords promptly and without amendment. When the two houses disagree on a non-money bill, the Parliament Acts can be invoked to ensure that the will of the elected chamber prevails.
Visiting the House of Commons’ Gallery
The Strangers’ Gallery is open to the public when the House is sitting, which is usually:

• 14.30 – 22.30 or later on Mondays
• 11.30 – 19.30 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
• 11.30 – 18.30 on Thursdays
• 09.30 – 15.00 on sitting Fridays

When the House returns after a recess on a day other than a Monday, the first day will have Monday sitting times.

The queue starts at the St Stephen’s entrance link to plan. There are two queues, one each for the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The Lords’ queue is usually shorter so it is easier to get into the Lords’ Gallery, although it may not always be possible to secure a place for Question Time. Question Time lasts for 40 minutes from 2.30pm on Mondays to Wednesdays and for 30 minutes from 3.00pm on Thursdays.

You can buy a ticket for the spectator’s gallery, and listen to a session of Parliament. Alternatively, if politics is heavy going when you’re on holiday, the building itself with Big Ben is beautiful and worth a visit. It is a stone’s throw from Westminster Abbey, which is another important and lovely historic building, and also open to the public.
Hotels Near the Houses of Parliament
The Houses of Parliament are located about 15min walk from Georgian House Hotel and about 10min walk from Big Ben and Houses.

For more information visit www.parliament.uk

Georgian House Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book Georgian House Hotel when you plan your trip to Houses of Parliament? You can book online or email to make a reservation on reception@georgianhousehotel.co.uk, or telephone on 0044(0)207 834 1438

The Georgian House Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning to visit the London Eye. This famous attraction is based in Westminster and is easy to reach walking, by bus or underground.

The Millenium Wheel – London Eye

Opened in celebration of the Millennium, the British Airways London Eye provides a unique and fabulous experience for visitors to London. The design itself is beautiful to look at, with its sleek, space-age pods and startling position, just opposite Parliament Square and the Houses of Parliament.

In one glance you can see an example of the city’s historic tradition, juxtaposed with the futuristic Eye. The ride takes half an hour, and each pod moves imperceptibly through one complete circle, with subtly changing views over London. Now, this is where the arguments start – what are the perfect conditions? Some say it is better at night, when all London is lit up and you have a bird’s eye view of the vibrant nocturnal capital. Others argue that the view on a clear day is unsurpassable, when you can see for miles, and spot so many famous landmarks. Perhaps it’s better to go twice and make your own mind up.

Bed and Breakfast near the London Eye, one of the major London tourist attractions. Lots of people find it very exciting being able to see London’s beauty from the very top capsule. Many couples decide to spend the most romantic day of their lives – their wedding day – “flying” in one of the capsules of London Eye and enjoying the lights of night London.

London Eye is located in central London on the side of the river Thames, just across Westminster bridge from Big Ben and Houses of Parliament. Just having a short walk in this perfect location and being cooled down by the river breeze makes you feel so relaxed and positive.For the fit and sporty people who do not mind a long walk, why not try taking the riverside from the London Eye to the Millennium Bridge, Greenwich and Tate Modern. You will never forget the experience!

If all the above is not enough for the day, you can visit London Aquarium. You can also have a break, enjoying a cup of tea/coffee, a cone of ice cream or even more – Italian pizza or pasta. All of them are located just next to London Eye.

Be warned though, this attraction is extremely popular, and rightly so. You will need to book in advance to guarantee tickets. The ride is open 9.30am to 6.00pm September 11th to March 31st and then 8.30am to 10.00pm April 1st to September 10th. Present prices are £8.50 for adults and £5.00 for children. Seniors and disabled are £6.50. Nearest tube stations are Embankment, Waterloo and Charing Cross. For further information visit the comprehensive website at www.britishairways.com/londoneye.

For more information visit www.londoneye.com

Georgian House Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book Georgian House Hotel when you plan your trip to London Eye? You can book online or email to make a reservation reception@georgianhousehotel.co.uk, or telephone on 0044(0)207 834 1438

London Aquarium offers you the chance to come face to face with the amazing creatures found under the water. The London Aquarium is very suitable for families of all ages: whilst adults will enjoy the informative tours and labelling, even babies will love to see the graceful movement of the sea life on display. There is also a chance to be more hands on, stroking the rays in the ray pool or touching starfish.

Top tip: The Aquarium can get very hot inside due to the tropical exhibits. Make sure you take plenty of water and light clothing with you, especially if you are taking the little ones.

Fun fact: London Aquarium has 17 themed zones across 3 huge floors.