Secret doorway from 17th century unearthed in parliament
A secret doorway dating back more than 350 years has been discovered in the House of Commons in the UK.
The entrance, once used regularly, is believed to have been one diarist Samuel Pepys and Robert Walpole, the first de facto prime minister used as a means to get in and out of parliament.
The hidden walkway was found as part of the ongoing AU$7.8 billion restoration project in parliament and was originally created for Charles II's coronation in 1660, so guests could go to the new king's celebratory banquet.
Later, MPs used it to access the Commons, which was originally held in the medieval Palace of Westminster before a fire broke out in the 19th century and ripped apart a good amount of the structure.
Westminster Hall was the only part to survive, and it would be where those at the helm of restoring a once well-used part of parliament would discover the secret doorway.
For the last 70 years, it has sat stagnant and forgotten about, hidden behind wooden panelling in a cloister that was formerly used as offices by the Labour Party.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: "To think that this walkway has been used by so many important people over the centuries is incredible.
"I am so proud of our staff for making this discovery and I really hope this space is celebrated for what it is - a part of our parliamentary history."
Graffiti written by bricklayers who helped architect Sir Charles Barry restore the palace in the wake of the 1834 fire was also found in the room.
One sentence, dated 1851, reads: "This room was enclosed by Tom Porter who was very fond of Ould Ale."
Scroll through the gallery to see the hidden walkway found in parliament.
Images: UK Parliament