A rare survivor from the medieval Palace of Westminster, the Jewel Tower was built in the 1360s for Edward III as the official royal treasure trove. Having dodged the fire that destroyed much of the old palace in 1834, two of its three floors are now exhibition spaces telling the history of Parliament and the story of the tower itself. Small wedding breakfasts can be held within their atmospheric stone walls. At the bottom of the anti-clockwise spiral staircase (an unusual talking point in itself), there’s a well-kept garden that makes a very English spot for drinks receptions.