Houses of Parliament, comprising the House of Commons and House of Lords, is housed in the Palace of Westminster. It was built by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin in 1840 when the neo-Gothic style was al the rage in London, and a good clean has revealed the soft golden brilliance of the original structure. The most famous feature outside the palace is the Clock Towerer, commonly known as Big Ben (the real Ben, a bell named after Benjamin Hall, who was commissioner of works when the tower was completed in 1858, hangs inside). Big Ben has rung in the new year since 1924. The best view of the whole complex is from the eastern side of Lambeth Bridge. The great clock gets its hands and face washed by abseiling cleaners once every five years.