Visit the Houses of Parliament

 

Visitors who tour Parliament will see the key areas of the estate, such as the Commons and Lords debating chambers and the Queen’s Robing Room. UK residents can tour throughout the year; overseas visitors may only tour during the Summer Opening. Accompanied by a trained guide, visitors travel through designated areas of the parliamentary estate. Tours take about 75 minutes.

Crewe & Nantwich residents

Free tours are held throughout the year, and you need to arrange a place through Edward Timpson's Westminster office or a member of the House of Lords. This also applies to schools and community groups. Visitors pay for a tour during the Summer Opening, in advance or by queuing on the day.

Families

Please note that tours are not recommended for young children as there is a lot of walking. Pushchairs are allowed, but larger models will not fit in certain areas.

Foreign languages

We regret that the House is unable to offer tours in foreign languages except during the Summer Opening.

Bags

Bags or luggage larger than those permitted in aircraft cabins may be refused entry. Parliament has no facilities for leaving items; commercial outlets are available nearby at Victoria and Charing Cross stations.

Toilet break!

The tours last around 75 minutes. It is advisable to leave time to visit the facilities prior to your tour. Accessible public toilets are also available at the nearby Westminster tube station. Within Parliament disabled toilets are located off Westminster Hall and Central Lobby.

Tour times available via Edward Timpson or a Lord

NOTE: BOOKING IN ADVANCE IS ESSENTIAL, AND PLACES ARE LIMITED. GIVE YOURSELF THE BEST OPPORTUNITY AND BOOK AS FAR IN ADVANCE AS POSSIBLE! THIS IS EVEN MORE CRUCIAL FOR GROUPS.

Tour times in session:

Monday and Tuesday: 9am-12pm (full tour)
Wednesday: 9am-9.20am (full tour) and 9.25am-12pm (partial tour of Lords only)
Thursday: no tours
Friday: 3.30pm-5pm (full tour)

Non-sitting days & recesses:

Non-sitting Fridays 9.30am-5pm
Christmas / New Year Closed
Easter and Spring Weekdays 9.30am-5pm
Whitsun Recess Weekdays 9.30am-5pm
Prorogation - there will be no tours during the Prorogation period (28 November - 3 December 2008 inclusive)

Summer recess:

July and August - Wednesdays and Thursdays 9.30am-12noon

September and October - Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9.30am-12noon

Attend debates

UK residents and overseas visitors may watch debates for free on current issues or proposed new laws in both Houses by visiting the public galleries.

The galleries are open to the public when the Houses are sitting (meeting), which is from Monday to Thursday and on Sitting Fridays, with differing times for each House. The galleries are not open during recess, when neither House is sitting.

Question Time

In both Houses, the busiest time is during Question Time. In the Commons it is Prime Minister's Question Time (PMQs). Free tickets are necessary to ensure entrance, and are only issued to UK residents who contact their MP or a Lord to request them.

However, it should be noted that tickets to PMQs are like gold dust, and constituents are advised to watch alternative Oral Parliamentary Questions or debates, where they stand a much better chance of getting a good seat, and the style of debate is more representative.

Overseas visitors and UK residents without tickets can queue but will only gain entrance if there is space after ticket-holders.

Other debates

Tickets are not required at other periods and there is a public queue for both UK residents and foreign visitors - outside St Stephen's entrance. A wait of one or two hours is common (although it's usually less for the House of Lords).

Westminster Hall debates

MPs also debate outside their main chamber in Westminster Hall, in adjournment debates.

Lords public gallery

Visitors to the Lords public gallery will be directed to a separate queue by the St Stephen's entrance. No tickets are issued, although be aware that Question Time in the Lords is the busiest period.