House of Lords — Local services in London

We braved the long waits to get into the House of Commons and the House of Lords. I was so glad we did. While the line was long, and while the vast majority of our time here was spent waiting to get in, what we eventually saw was great. Politics in action, and in the House of Lords, politics in action in a remarkable setting.

If you can only see one, do House of Lords. If possible, see both.

Try to avoid the crowds by going early or late. We went right in the afternoon and totally paid for it with at least an hour of waiting (just sitting). For all of that waiting, we stayed in each House viewing room for just 5 minutes, if that.

Still, glad we did it. It was interesting and...

Try and find yourself an appointment with a lord (or a dame), it’s worth it. The place is quite hilarious (and I don’t mean to be mean): they all have their own coat hangers, complete with name and title. There’s a parking lot for mobility scooters in the cloak room as well as a “peers only” bathroom. You’re not allowed to take pictures (not even of the Magna Carta, which hangs their just because). My favourite place is the terrace (some chairs have a plaque pronouncing “peers only”): you sit, literally, on the bank of the river Thames looking down towards Tower Bridge with Westminster just behind you. A very unique experience from another world really. But it...

No one will probably not be overwhelmed by the vastness of the 274-meter-long Capitol the moment they exit from Westerminster Station or cross the Westerminster Bridge.

Britain is bicameral. There are 500 life-long aristocrats, 92 hereditary members, 26 Anglican members of the House of Lords (change of composition since 2007) and equivalent elected members of the House of Representatives. Since it's an elected office, the House of Representatives has a lot of power compared to the Senate. So all legislation is approved...