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Aug 17, 2020 9 tweets 5 min read Read on X
This summer we're celebrating 150 years of the Palace of Westminster. But how well do you really know this iconic building? 🤔

Read on to discover all the secret places hidden throughout the Palace...

#Westminster150

©UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor An opened panel showing a h...
Let's start in Westminster Hall, where we find our first treasure high up in the walls. 🧱

Inside the box is part of the original Norman wall of Westminster Hall, left uncovered when the rest of the walls were restored after the Great Fire of 1834.

©UK Parliament/Mark Duffy An opened box in the walls ...
This broom cupboard in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft is where suffragette Emily Wilding-Davison made history by hiding on the night of the 1911 census.

When found, she gave her address as the @HouseofCommons and was listed as head of household!

©UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor The broom cupboard where Em...A plaque on the front of th...
Our next secret space was hidden for centuries!

Historians recently uncovered a 17th century passageway into the original @HouseofCommons Chamber, which had been panelled over in the 1850s. The bricklayers left their names in graffiti on the walls.

©UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor An opened panel in the Hous...The bricked passageway behi...
Moving into Central Lobby, a place you may have seen before - but probably not from this angle!

This photo was taken from a hidden nook above the chandelier in the Central Tower, which can be seen from the angle in the second photo.

©UK Parliament/Catherine Bebbington The floor of Central Lobby ...An angled view of the ceili...
The @UKHouseofLords has its fair share of hidden gems too.

This octagonal viewpoint at Sovereign's Entrance overlooks the Monarch's arrival at the State Opening of Parliament.

©House of Lords 2019/Roger Harris The octagonal viewing platf...The octagonal viewing platf...
Next, we come to the hidden spaces in the Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben.

Not many people know about the Prison Room of the Elizabeth Tower - and it's not quite as dark as it sounds! The Prison Room sits at the base of the Tower, in what was originally the Serjeant at Arms' Office. Elizabeth Tower and New Pal...
The Prison Room was designed as a holding cell for anyone who was removed from the Chamber, and was last used in 1880, when an atheist MP spent a night there after refusing to swear a religious oath.

The room is no longer in use. 🗝️
Our final secret place may look strangely familiar - in fact, you've often seen it from the other side!

This is the space behind the Great Clock face. Each dial is made from 324 individual pieces of pot opal glass.

©UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor The other side of one of th...

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More from @UKParliament

Nov 14, 2023
Can you guess what this Parliamentary object is 🔎? #UpClose

Submit your guess ⬇️ A close up photo of round wooden objects with numbers engraved on them.
🤔
...let's have a look #UpClose at the ballot which is drawn at the start of every session in Parliament for Private Members' Bills.

This is a proposed change in the law that is suggested by an MP who isn't a government minister. The balls for the Private Members' Bill ballot are drawn from a glass bowl by the clerk. One ball is being handed to the Deputy Speaker.
Read 5 tweets
Oct 2, 2020
Are you a university student or graduate planning your first career steps? 👩🏽‍🎓👨🏿‍🎓

The UK Parliament Fast Stream programme for 2021 is now open.

Apply now, and in a year you could start your placement in the @HouseofCommons or @UKHouseofLords.
Looking for a different role at @UKParliament?

We're #hiring a Head of #Conservation #Architecture who can
📐 oversee the strategy for building conservation
🏗️ keep the programme of conservation works up to date
😃 be a great team leader

Apply now 👉🏽 housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/… Head of Conservation Architecture.   £63,716+, 30 days' ann
We're also #hiring a Principal Doorkeeper who can:

🚪 lead a busy team of 22 Doorkeepers
👑 ensure the smooth running of ceremonial events
🔑 remain calm and prioritise in a fast-paced environment

Apply now 👉🏿 housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/… Principal Doorkeeper.   £38,625+, 30 days' annual leave, Ci
Read 4 tweets
Sep 24, 2020
📢 Calling all university students and graduates!

Today we're opening the UK Parliament Fast Stream programme for 2021.

Apply now, and in a year you could start your placement in the @HouseofCommons or @UKHouseofLords. The Parliament Fast Stream ...
As a Fast Streamer here, you’ll work with politicians from all parties to scrutinise Government policy and support the UK’s democratic process.

You might manage evidence sessions for a select committee inquiry, or work in the Chambers assisting in the passage of legislation.
It's a challenging role, but you'll be supported every step of the way. And you'll earn £27-30k while you're on the programme.

The Fast Stream is open for applications now. Find out more ⬇️

faststream.gov.uk/houses-of-parl…
Read 5 tweets
Sep 18, 2020
Recently we've shared the people, stories, and secret histories behind 150 years of the Palace of Westminster. See what you've learned in our quiz! ⬇️

(🤫 Psst: No one sees your choices, so don't worry about getting it wrong! We'll be back with answers later.)

#Westminster150
1. Which duo built the Palace of Westminster 150 years ago?
2. How was the Great Fire of 1834 started?
Read 13 tweets
Sep 16, 2020
Today is #AskACurator Day, and we have 3 specialist curators answering your questions on our Parliamentary Art, Historic Furniture and Architectural Fabric Collections! 🖼️🚪🪑

Let's hear your questions and their answers ⏬
First over to our Parliamentary Art expert Melanie 🎨🖼️✏️

💬 "How many works are hidden away in storage? Do they get put on display in rotation?" ❓

80% of our 9,000 artworks are on display - a high percentage compared to many museums. We do rotate the works on display - some are fragile and can only be displayed for short periods. A range of artworks on disp...
Read 19 tweets
Sep 15, 2020
Today is International Day of Democracy 2020 🎉🗳️🗣️ #DemocracyDay2020 #DemocracyDay

Here are five ways you can get your voice heard with UK Parliament ⬇️
1. You can create an e-petition or sign an existing one 📝

Petitions with 10k signatures receive a formal reply from the Government. Those with over 100k signatures are considered for a debate in Parliament.

Search for the issues that matter to you:
petition.parliament.uk
2. You can contact your MP about a cause you feel strongly about 📨

Your MP represents you in the @HouseofCommons whether or not you voted for them. They can ask questions or discuss issues in a debate.

Find your MP by entering your postcode
members.parliament.uk/findyourmp
Read 7 tweets

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