Over the past year of Elizabeth Tower blog posts from the Parliamentary Archives, we’ve taken a deeper look at the Ayrton Light, Big Ben and the quarter bells and the decorative shields which adorn the Tower’s façade. As restoration of …
At the top of the Elizabeth Tower is the Ayrton Light, a lantern-like structure installed in 1885 which shines whenever either House of Parliament sits after dark. Restoration of the ironwork, casing and access areas are now complete. All we …
The Elizabeth Tower and the Palace of Westminster are decorated with beautiful and symbolic imagery – representing the values, history, and identity of UK Parliament. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the national plant emblems on …
This blog was written by Alex Fisher, Archives Officer. On the 8th March 2021 we will celebrate Commonwealth Day. This annual event brings together the people of the 54 countries that form the Commonwealth. The idea originated from Lord Meath …
Learn more about the Parliamentary Archives photograph collection and the secrets hidden in them. This blog was written by Simon Barnes and Tim Banting, Heritage Photographers in the Parliamentary Archives The UK Parliament recently shared a photograph from our collections, …
This blog was written by Henrik Schoenefeldt, Professor of Sustainability in Architectural Heritage, University of Kent. For the last four years he has been seconded to the Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal Programme to undertake a large research project …
On Wednesday 20th January 2021 Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. As a new president is inaugurated at the US Capitol, the seat of the legislative branch of the US federal government, …
This blog article was written by Nicole Hartland, Archive Assistant (Graduate Trainee). The sound of Big Ben is iconic. Big Ben (rings the note of E) and the four quarter bells (ring G sharp, F sharp, E, and B) sound …
This blog was written by Verity Jones, Assistant Archivist (Trainee). The Palace of Westminster is full of quirks, and its secrets are still being discovered – did you hear about the secret doorway recently found near Westminster Hall? It is …
This blog was written by Katherine Emery, Assistant Archives Officer. The two towers of the Houses of Parliament make up the well-known silhouette of the building. The more famous Elizabeth Tower, the clocktower that the holds Big Ben and the …
