There are a number of free guided tours of Parliament available to constituents - these are detailed below. There are also opportunities to visit Parliament to sit in on debates in either of the two chambers or listen to Select Committee hearings that are open to the public.
Inside UK Parliament tours
Tours are free of charge and open to UK residents and take place when Parliament is sitting. Guides accompany visitors on the 75-minute tour and explain the work of UK Parliament and its relevance today, outline how the working spaces are used, set out ways to get involved and engage with the democratic process, and highlight some of the dramatic history of the Palace of Westminster.
The visitor tour route includes the chambers of both Houses, the State Rooms in the House of Lords, Central Lobby, St Stephen’s Hall and Westminster Hall. It is worth noting that the full tour route may not always be available and can be subject to last minute changes or cancellation due to parliamentary business.
The maximum size for a group is 15 per guide. If your group exceeds this size, it will have to be split between different tour groups starting at different times (tours usually depart at 15-minute intervals). You can find further information regarding tours on Parliament’s website.
Elizabeth Tower Tours (Big Ben)
You can now book tours of the Elizabeth Tower by contacting your MP. Tickets are released at the start of each month and MPs have a period of around two weeks in which to book free constituent tours before tickets go on sale to the public. Tickets are bookable three months in advance - although they do sell out very quickly, often on the day of release.
MPs only have a yearly allocation of eight tickets each, so you may be added to a waiting list if there is lots of interest in these tours.
If you would rather book and pay for your own tickets, please visit the Parliament website.
Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs)
Each MP’s allocation is only four tickets per month and demand always exceeds supply. We have a long waiting list for tickets, but would be happy to add your name to this list. We will then contact you when you reach the top of the list.
For help with any of the above tours or to be added to the list for PMQs, please get in touch.
Please visit the educational visits section for information about school visits to Parliament.
Debates
Please note that tickets are not required for general debates in either the House of Commons or the House of Lords, they are only required for PMQs (which are on Wednesdays). On sitting days other than Wednesdays, you can come to Parliament (via the Cromwell Green entrance) and wait for entry to either Chamber on the day. It's worth checking the What's on in Parliament section of the Parliament website for details of all the debates and Select Committees happening that day.
You are welcome to watch Select Committees when they are in session, which is usually on a Monday afternoon, all day on Tuesday and Wednesday and on Thursday morning. Typically, committees briefly meet privately before opening up the public gallery.
To watch a committee session, you do not need a ticket. If the committee is meeting in the Palace of Westminster, you should arrive at the Cromwell Green Entrance. You should arrive at the Portcullis House visitor entrance for committees meeting there. There will always be someone there to show you where to go.
For directions and a map of the Parliamentary Estate please click here.