Houses of Parliament Tours

No visit to London is complete without visiting the Houses of Parliament or a chance to climb Big Ben & enjoy views from the top.  Whether you are interested in Big Ben Tours or planning a visit to the Houses of Parliament, check out our guide below packed with hints and tips to help you enjoy a visit. Tours run throughout the year and, whilst there are ways & means of pick up FREE entry to the Houses of Parliament, tours remain the most popular option.

Tours of the Houses of Parliament can be undertaken most Saturdays during the year alongside week days during the recess breaks.  You can select either an audio or guided tour, both of which include a visit to the Houses of Commons & Lords, Westminster Hall, Queen’s Robing Room & Royal Gallery.  An audio guide allows you to navigate the rooms at your own pace and is marginally cheaper.  However our preference is the guided tour that gives you a more in depth experience plus a chance to ask questions along the way. Tours last around 90 minutes in duration and offers a fantastic insight whether you are interested in cultural perspectives, dates of historical significance and/or the inner workings of the UK’s democratic system.

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Houses of Parliament

Houses of Parliament Tours

Accompanied by an expert guide, we joined a group of around 20 people during the peak of the summer season.  Whilst the audio tour is a slightly cheaper option that can be undertaken at your own pace, we often feel that a skillful guide offers a more in depth experience bringing their own unique personal flair to the experience.

At pace, we moved around the buildings, pausing at key areas where our guide explained the history & workings of the parliamentary buildings, complete with unusual anecdotes.  This journey through time was brought alive by our insightful guide whose passion for politics & democracy was striking.  Although the guided tour is not recommended for young children, (due to the length of the tour), my 12 year old who has an interest in politics was completely absorbed throughout the tour.

Whilst busy with visitors, there are regular stop-offs along the way where the guide was able to usher us into areas not open to those on self-guided tours. Worth noting that you are on your feet for most of the tour, those less able could make use of the seating areas within the House of Parliament/House of Lords. Our guide was able to provide flourishes of knowledge around the key workings of the UK parliamentary system that brought the tour to life.

After your tour you are free to enjoy the delights of the gift shop – check out the Houses of Parliament after dinner mints – or make use of the cafeteria that is open to all visitors.

To book tickets go to Houses of Parliament Tours.

Houses of Parliament

Houses of Parliament Tours

1. Subject to capacity, you can purchase tour tickets on the day from the ticket office that is located at the front of Portcullis House on Victoria Embankment.  To guarantee entry, we recommend booking online in advance.

2. Tickets are time-ticketed and staff on the gate will ensure only those with upcoming times will gain entry.

3. Leave sufficient time to navigate the airport-style security to gain entry into the building, (around 20 minutes before your stipulated tour time).

4. The audio tour is a slightly cheaper option and allows you to go at your own pace, (allow 60-75 minutes for the tour).

5. The guided tour is led by an expert  guide and offers a wealth of information, complete with unusual anecdotes, that takes around 90 minutes to complete.

6. Worth noting that photography is restricted to Westminster Hall & St Stephen’s Hall.  This does mean that the most of the tour is off limits to media devices.

7. Look out for the water fountain located near to the cafeteria entrance where you can fill up water bottles.

8. There are ways and means for UK residents to pick up FREE access to the Houses of Parliament – see more details below.

Big Ben Tours

Open to both UK & overseas residents, look out for this latest Westminster tour that offers you a chance to climb 334 stairs up to the top of Big Ben. This new tour is proving popular with London visitors when tickets are released at set times of the year and give you an opportunity to explore the inner workings of Big Ben including the clock tower and belfry.

FIND OUT MORE DETAILS WITHIN OUR Guide To Big Ben Tours – climb 334 stairs to the top!

Westminster Hall

FREE Tours of the Houses of Parliament

1. UK residents can secure a free tour to the Houses of Parliament by contacting their local MP or a known member of the House of Lords.   These tours of the Houses of Parliament are limited to Parliamentary session times so you may also catch some parliamentary action too. Simpy contact your local MP or known House of Lords member to arrange a free tour.  Tours must be booked in advance and you can wait up to 6 months, so best being flexible with your dates to reduce wait times.

2. Open to both UK & overseas residents alike, you can watch a debate within the public galleries for free in either the Houses of Commons or Lords.   Simply ensure Parliament is sitting on your date of choice and queue outside the Cromwell Green Visitor Entrance, (approximate queue time of about 1/2 hours).

3. UK residents can apply to attend the public gallery for PM Questions that runs Wednesdays at 12 noon when Parliament is sitting. Simply apply for free tickets via your local MP.  MPs have a limited number of tickets so requests should be made as far in advance as possible.  Find our more details about this within our PMQ’s Free Ticket Guide.