Parliamentary Tours
Free guided Parliamentary tours of the Palace of Westminster are available for
groups of up to 20 people at the following times. They must be pre-booked
and begin from the Sovereign’s Entrance. Full Tours include both chambers
or Partial Tours include either the House of Lords or the House of Commons.
Mondays
9am-12pm - Full tours
Tuesdays
9am-12pm - Full tours
Wednesdays
9am-12pm - Full tours
9.25am-12pm - Partial Tours (Lords only)
Thursdays
No tours
Fridays
9.30am-5pm - (non sitting days) Full Tours
3.30pm-5pm - (sitting days) Full Tours
Big Ben Tours
A tour of the Clock tower can be arranged through your Member of Parliament.
The tours are free of charge; however, early booking is recommended.
- Tours take place Monday - Friday at set times of 9.15am, 11.15am and 2.15pm.
- Space is very limited and early booking is strongly recommended.
- Tours take about 75 minutes. Groups should gather in Portcullis House Reception no later than 15 minutes before the appointed time. Groups are required to be prompt.
- Parties must not exceed 16 in number and not more than one party can be arranged per hour. Children aged under 11 are not admitted.
- There are 334 spiral stone steps with only a small respite. There is no lift; therefore, visitors should feel confident about making the climb and descent. For safety and comfort flat shoes should be worn.
Gallery Tickets
A Member of Parliament automatically receives an allocation of two of tickets for the public galleries for the House of Commons every eleven sittings days (excluding Fridays). If you would like to request tickets please contact us.
Educational Visits to Parliament
Education visits (incorporating a tour and workshop) take place throughout the school year, in the autumn, spring and summer terms. Visits must be booked directly with the Education Service by a teacher or member of staff at a school or educational organisation.
If a school in your constituency would like to know more please ask them to contact us on 020 7219 4496. All bookings are made by phone, one school term in advance, on a given date.
Please direct schools to the Education website to find out when booking lines open for next term's visits.
