Houses of Parliament Tickets & Tours

Things to know before booking Houses of Parliament tours

• Houses of Parliament access: Note that access to the Houses of Parliament is not included in Westminster Abbey tickets. To visit, you must purchase a Houses of Parliament ticket.
  
• Types of tickets: To delve into the Houses of Parliament, you have flexible ticket options. Select a standard entry ticket with an audioguide for a self-paced journey, or enhance your experience by upgrading to a guided tour of the Palace of Westminster with a professional live guide who can answer your questions in real-time. 
  
• What’s included: A standard tour typically grants you access to the historic Westminster Hall, the Commons Chamber, the Lords Chamber, and other significant rooms. You'll also benefit from expert commentary on the building’s history and architecture. Please note that direct access to Big Ben's interior is not included, nor is the right to sit in during live parliamentary debates, which require separate arrangements. 
  
• Guided tours: With a guided tour, you will get access to a professional live guide providing detailed historical and political insights. 
  
• Combo tickets: Maximize your London sightseeing with combined tickets! By upgrading your purchase, you can effortlessly visit the nearby Westminster Abbey along with the Palace of Westminster. Enjoy a guided tour with optional skip-the-line entry to Westminster Abbey, offering both convenience and potential savings for those planning to visit multiple landmarks in one day.

Historical and cultural significance of the Palace of Westminster

The Palace of Westminster has been a royal palace since the 11th century. For centuries, it served as the primary residence for English monarchs. It gradually evolved into the permanent seat of Parliament, with the House of Lords and House of Commons eventually establishing their presence within its walls, solidifying its role as the center of legislative power. From the earliest forms of Parliament to the present day, countless laws have been debated, shaped, and passed within these walls.

Westminster Hall, the oldest surviving part of the Palace, dating back to 1097, has witnessed some of the most dramatic moments in British history. This includes the trials of figures like Guy Fawkes (1606) and King Charles I (1649), coronation banquets, and major state occasions. The assassination of Prime Minister Spencer Perceval in 1812 in the Commons Lobby (the only British PM ever assassinated) and the bombing of the Commons Chamber in 1941 during WWII (leading to its rebuilding by Giles Gilbert Scott) underscore its role as a living, dynamic, and sometimes dangerous center of power.

A pivotal moment was the devastating fire in 1834, which destroyed most of the old palace. This led to the monumental rebuilding project, giving us the Gothic Revival structure we see today. For many Britons, the Palace is a source of national pride and identity, representing their history, their political system, and their place in the world. Its facade and interior spaces have featured countless times in films, television shows, literature, and art, further cementing its place in popular culture and global consciousness.

Visitor tips

• Time your visit to see debates or committees: If you want to watch a live debate in the House of Commons or House of Lords, plan your visit when Parliament is sitting. You can sit in the public galleries for free, but ticketed guided tours do not include the right to sit in during debates, so you’ll need to plan separately. Note that public galleries are free but subject to availability and parliamentary schedule.
  
• Mind the security timings: Security screening can take 15–30 mins, especially at busy times. Arrive at least 30 mins early.
  
• Dress respectfully: While there’s no strict dress code, Parliament will refuse entry to anyone wearing political slogans, costumes, or offensive prints. Avoid hats inside the chambers and don’t wear fancy dress (like crowns or themed outfits).
  
• Choose between an audio guide or the live guide: If you want maximum freedom, the self-guided audio tour lets you go at your own pace (about 90 mins). But for extra stories, pick a guided tour that is led by accredited guides who share anecdotes you won’t get on the audio.
  
• Look up at the floor tiles: In the Central Lobby and St Stephen’s Hall, pay attention to the encaustic Minton floor tiles. They’re original Victorian features with hidden political symbols and the royal cypher.
  
• Spot historic graffiti: Inside Westminster Hall, look for medieval graffiti carved by schoolboys when the Hall was used for coronation banquets and trials. Some inscriptions date back centuries, and you can ask your guide to point them out.
  
• Look for hidden statues: Most visitors focus on the major chambers but miss small details: look for the statues of suffragettes in the Crypt Lobby and the plaque for Emily Wilding Davison (who famously hid in a cupboard at the Palace on census night 1911 to claim Parliament as her address).
  
• Check out the “Division Bell”: Inside the Palace, you’ll see small brass bells in corridors and meeting rooms. These Division Bells ring when a vote is called, giving MPs 8 mins to get to the chamber. Some nearby pubs in Westminster even have Division Bells too — historically, MPs could be called back mid-pint!
  
• Spot the bullet holes in the Commons Chamber: In the Commons Lobby, ask your guide about the bullet holes from the 1812 assassination of Prime Minister Spencer Perceval (the only British PM ever assassinated). There’s also bomb damage from WWII visible; the Commons Chamber was rebuilt by architect Giles Gilbert Scott after being hit by a bomb in 1941.
  
• Check for protest disruptions: Being the seat of government, Parliament Square often hosts protests. These rarely stop tours, but they can delay your arrival if roads are closed. Always check the Met Police or Transport for London for planned protests on your visit day.
  
• Buy Hansard or order transcripts: Did you know you can buy an official record of any debate you watch? The Hansard transcripts are a unique souvenir for political buffs. You can order them online or ask the visitor desk for info.
  
• Combine with Westminster Abbey: The Abbey is just across the road. It’s efficient to book tickets close together, but allow at least 2–3 hours for the Parliament, plus 1–2 hours for the Abbey. There’s a security check at each, so factor that in.
  
• Take the best photos from across the Thames: While you can’t photograph inside the Chambers, the classic photo spot for Big Ben and the Palace is from the South Bank, near the London Eye. Another top spot: the Victoria Embankment or Westminster Bridge at sunset.