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Admission prices & discounts for tickets to The Palace of Westminster - Houses of Parliament in London

The following overview lists the admission prices and various discounts and discount codes for a visit to The Palace of Westminster - Houses of Parliament in London . All prices are displayed per age group or reduced rate group. You can also directly book your discounted online ticket for the The Palace of Westminster - Houses of Parliament here, if available, or make a reservation to reserve a timeslot if applicable.

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Children (5-15 years): one child free with each paying adult, but will require a ticket for admission. Additional child: £7 for each Children (under 5): Free, but will require a ticket for admission

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Posted on 14th June 2023 Categories Things to do

By: Author Julianna Barnaby

Want to Visit the Houses of Parliament on a Tour? Here’s How…

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Planning to visit the Houses of Parliament and not sure where to start? Check out this step by step guide to the types of tours, ticket prices and what to expect before you go. 

The Houses of Parliament are more than just an iconic London landmark. They function as the heart of British power. 

Set in the Palace of Westminster, a Victorian Neo-Gothic affair on the banks of the Thames, the 1000+ rooms of the palace count among them two of the most important locations in UK politics – the House of Commons and House of Lords. 

Little wonder then that visiting the Houses of Parliament is one of the first things that people think of when visiting London. 

Who wouldn’t want to take a peek at the innards of authority, the place where decisions that shape the lives of British citizens are made on a daily basis? We certainly did for sure. 

Having taken a Houses of Parliament tour previously, we can honestly say that it is one of the most fascinating things we’ve done in London full stop. This coming from a team that spends a lot of time researching and writing about London, and who’s as reticent to give out high praise as Scrooge was to give out money before his Christmas Carol transformation. 

In other words – you should totally go. 

The difficult thing is knowing where to start. That’s why we’ve written this guide to walk you through the options for visiting with and without a tour, the different kinds of Houses of Parliament tours available, where to get tickets and what to expect when you do. 

Do I Have to Book a Tour to Visit the Houses of Parliament? 

Usually, no. But it’s best to book in advance or you risk being turned away. 

There are several ways that you can usually visit the Houses of Parliament without booking a tour – the main ones are: 

• Watch a debate or a committee

Watch Prime Minister’s Questions 

• Watch Minister’s Question Times in the House of Commons or House of Lords 
• Book onto one of Parliament’s special events or talks.

You do not have to book tickets for the first three, although it is advisable to book tickets for Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) as it is very popular and you are not guaranteed entry without a ticket. 

We will go into more detail on each of these in the section “Visiting the Houses of Parliament Without a Tour” below if you want to know more info but we thought it was worth dealing with the tours first as this is what we’ve been asked most questions about.

Choosing Which Houses of Parliament Tour to Book 

There are several different types of Houses of Parliament tour that you could go on – we’ve given you a breakdown of each of them as well as options for how to get your hands on tickets and (where relevant) lead times for each.

Houses of Parliament Guided Tour

This is a 90-minute guided tour of the Houses of Parliament for which you have to pay. 

The tours are usually held on weekdays when Parliament is not in session and most Saturdays throughout the year. They go at a slow pace, allowing you to soak in the architecture and history of the buildings. 

These tours also held in French, Spanish, German and Italian on selected dates.

Cost: £32 for adults, £16 for kids, £26 for concessions, Disabled visitors are charged as per the above but an essential companion is free. 

How to Get Tickets: For the latest information on when these tours will return, click here .

Rather take things at your own pace instead of going on a group tour but still want to explore the Palace of Westminster? You should consider an audio tour. 

The 90-minute audio tour provides a wealth of information about the buildings and the politics that happen within Parliament’s walls – in audio and video formats. 

It’s also available in a much wider range of languages than the guided tours and there are different versions for children and adults. 

Cost: £25 for adults, £9 for kids, £18.00 for concessions, under 5s free. Disabled visitors are charged as per the above but an essential companion is free. 

How to Get Tickets: Get your tickets for Parliament before they sell out here .

Private Guided Tours 

Want to explore in a private group? Book a private guided tour. 

On the face of it, the £500 fee looks pretty steep but when you consider that it covers up to 10 people for a completely tailored tour, it doesn’t actually look so bad after all.

You’ll have to enquire about this privately as you can’t book online, but the tours generally begin first thing in the morning (Monday to Wednesday) and last around 75 minutes. 

Cost: Starts from £500 per group of up to 10 people 

How to Book: For bookings of 10 people or more, contact [email protected]

How to Take a Tour of the Houses of Parliament for Free

Did you know that UK residents can visit the Houses of Parliament for Free?

Scrap that, if you’re a UK resident, you can take a Democratic Access Tour of the Houses of Parliament for Free. 

We’ve taken one of these tours and it was riveting – 75 minutes of sights and information that had every single person fixed on every word our tour guide Sean had to say. 

The locations you cover during the tour depend on what’s happening on the day  – we were lucky enough to visit both houses (we literally squeaked into the House of Lords just in time). 

The tour is informative and educational, walking you through the daily business of MPs while they’re in the houses, the procedures that govern them and showcases the highlights of the Palace of Westminster along the way. 

We cannot recommend this enough – if you’re a UK resident and capable of getting to London, do it. 

The decisions that are made here influence every aspect of your life – not in an obscure and difficult to define fashion, but directly and with significant impact. Taking the time to understand how it works is never going to be a bad idea. 

How to Get Tickets: 

You have to be a UK resident to book one of the Houses of Parliament free tours. You’ll need to book through your local MP or a Member of the House of Lords to book up to six months in advance. 

There are often last-minute Houses of Parliament tickets available (within the next seven days) – you can email Parliament to book a space on one of them, or pop into the Ticket Office in front of Portcullis House. 

More information can be found here

Behind the Scenes Houses of Parliament Guided Tour 

This tour isn’t run by Parliament itself and is significantly more expensive than the standard guided tours we included above. 

So why are we listing it? Because it’s a much more in-depth and intimate tour that allows you to really immerse yourself in the world of Parliament past and present. 

In the course of two hours, you explore sections of the Palace of Westminster – including several places that aren’t covered by the other tours. 

This is really a tour for those who want to get down to the nitty gritty of the history and architecture of the Houses of Parliament and want to do it as part of a smaller group. 

Cost: £65 Adults, £59 Children (4-12), Infants three and under are free. 

How to get Tickets: Book online on Get Your Guide

Take a Virtual Tour

Can’t make your way to Parliament right now? Don’t stress. You can take a virtual tour of the buildings online. You’ll walk your virtual self through the corridors of power. It’s not the same as being there in person, but at least you don’t have to get off the sofa. 

Cost: Absolutely free. Hurrah.

How to get Tickets: Book online here.

Visiting the Houses of Parliament Without a Tour

Now you’ve got a good grasp of the kinds of tours that you can take of the Houses of Parliament, We’re going to walk you through the ways that you can usually visit Parliament without a tour. 

It’s probably worth noting that you’re not allowed to just walk around the Palace of Westminster unguided (unless you’re doing an audio tour), so if you want to look around the buildings and learn about their history, a guided or audio tour are the only ways to do it. 

Watch a Debate or Committee 

MPs in the House of Commons and Peers in the House of Lords debate issues and proposed legislation on a daily basis – all of which anyone is able to view from the public galleries of the respective houses. 

In addition to this, both houses also hold committee meetings examine issues in detail on subjects large and small – all of which are open to the public. 

Though the waiting times vary dependent on the popularity / contentiousness of the subject, you are normally able to just turn up and hop into the queue for both debates and committee meetings.

The visitor attendants can give you a good idea of how long you can expect to wait when you arrive. 

How to Get Tickets: Not ticketed, just turn up and queue . 

Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) happens every Wednesday at 12pm when Parliament is in session.

Even before the explosive events of the past few years, PMQs has always been the most popular event at Parliament, which is why it’s a ticketed event. 

How to Get Tickets: Contact your local MP to request a ticket. If you’re not a UK resident or you haven’t booked a ticket in advance you can turn up on the day and try your luck but the pool of seats available is small. Not currently running but keep your eyes peeled on the website.

Watch Minister’s Question Time

This happens in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords – generally at the beginning of the day Monday to Thursday and you can go and watch it from the public galleries of the respective houses. 

Cost: Free 

How to Get Tickets: You can contact your local MP to request a ticket or turn up on the day. Minister’s Question Time can be popular, but it’s generally OK to turn up on the day. Not currently running but check the website for updates.

Book a Special Event or Talk

There’s so much going on at Parliament – they really take their role of educating the public about aspects of life in Parliament, the history of the buildings and issues we face as a country.

The only problem is… only a select number of people know about them, buried as they are in an obscure section of Parliament’s website. 

Now,  you know that we’re full-on geeky (we’ve learnt to embrace it), but the subject range is fascinating. These are the kinds of talks that if you put them on TED Talks millions of people would be watching them, but when it’s Parliament… they’re hardly the talk of the town.

Don’t get us wrong – they still sell out but when’s the last time you saw them on a list of interesting things to do in London this week. It’s a shame – we want to thoroughly encourage you to go and check out the calendar and book onto any that interest you. 

At the moment, these talks are all virtual. Current ones on the calendar include The Elizabeth Tower’s Conservation and How UK Parliament Works – a great place to start if you’re looking to learn more about Parliament.

Cost: Varies – most are free

How to Get Tickets: Check the Calendar of Upcoming Events and book tickets (mostly free) online.

Houses of Parliament and the Palace of Westminster: Frequently Asked Questions

They actually refer to the same place. The Palace of Westminster, where the Houses of Parliament are based today, actually used to be a royal palace: Henry VIII was the last monarch to use it as such.  These days, it’s no longer a royal palace and serves as a meeting place for the House of Commons and House of Lords, together: the Houses of Parliament.

Yes, you can go into the Houses of Parliament – either on a tour, to go and see a debate or committee, to watch Prime Minister’s Questions or Minister’s Questions, to attend a talk or event or to go and petition your MP.  You can’t, however, just walk around and see the inside of the Palace of Westminster unguided. 

Yes, you can visit the Houses of Parliament for free by going to watch a debate, Prime Minister’s Questions or Ministers Questions in the appropriate house. You can also book a spot on one of the free Democratic Access Tours run by Parliament on a frequent basis. 

It depends on which tour you book. The free tours of the Houses of Parliament are around 75 minutes while the paid guided tours last for 90 minutes. They also recommend allowing at least 90 minutes for the self-guided audio tour. 

No, there is no formal dress code for visiting Parliament… but it is illegal to enter Parliament wearing a suit of armour, just in case you were thinking of doing that. 

You can take photos in Westminster Hall and St Stephen’s Hall in the Houses of Parliament if you’re visiting but no, you can’t take photos in the rest of the Palace of Westminster.

Yes, the buildings are old but they’ve been updated to make them accessible to everyone. From ramps to information in sign language and tours specially tailored to people that need a little more help than others, it’s all there for you.  What’s more, for the tours and such, essential companions can go free. 

You can find more information about parliament’s accessibility here

Yes, you can! Parliament’s Jubilee Cafe is open from 9:00am to 5:45pm Monday to Wednesday and 10:00am to 5:45pm Thursday to Saturday. They do a selection of refreshments, sandwiches and such in case you’re peckish.  Alternatively check out our guide to Westminster for some good food nearby.

Unlikely, but possible. Obviously whoever the Tories have chosen as our leader for the month that you happen to visit will be present at PMQs – if you can get a ticket to that – but most of the time they will be working from No. 10, around the corner – or off in a foreign country doing important diplomatic work. 

Map of the Houses of Parliament, London 

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Houses Of Parliament - English Guided Tour Tickets and Dates

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Adding afternoon tea to your tour.

• Experiences

Houses of Parliament Tour and Afternoon Tea

• Experience the grandeur of the Palace of Westminster on a tour from an expert guide.
• End the tour on the terraces overlooking the river Thames and enjoy a spot of afternoon tea

History and delicious food: The Parliament Tour and Afternoon Tea experience

Purchase Parliament Tour and Afternoon Tea tickets to enjoy an experience unlike anything other. Take a tour of the historic Palace of Westminster and bathe in its grandeur, then head to the terraces for a delightful meal. It is a one-of-a-kind experience you’re guaranteed to remember for the rest of your life.

Learn the history of British democracy in this magnificent setting

The Palace of Westminster, also called the Houses of Parliament, is where the House of Commons and the House of Lords meet. Set on the River Thames ‘ North Bank, this palace is a majestic symbol of Great British history and democracy.

Discover the history of Britain on a tour of the Parliament. Start your visit in Westminster Hall. The Hall has hosted grand state functions and dignitaries from all over the world for almost a millennium. Walk with your guide to view the splendid roof, which is made from six hundred medieval oak trees. Your guide is knowledgeable in ancient British history and provides wonderful insights into the Parliament and its many rooms and functions.

As you tour the Palace, learn about its rich, varicoloured history and the significance it holds for the nation. Stop to admire some of the most famous rooms, such as the Queen’s Robing Room. This room is where the monarch puts on her crown before the opening of the Parliament. You also get to explore two of the building’s most unique rooms called the Division Lobbies. These rooms are where both opposition parties assemble before a parliamentary vote. Each room accommodates the Ayes and the Noes before their votes are counted.

Next, you enter the two majestic rooms the tour highlights – the Chamber of the House of Lords, and the Chamber of the House of Commons. While you explore them, engulf yourself in the history and various traditions and lore. Take your time to admire the magnificent paintings and stained glass that adds to the rooms’ grandeur.

Enjoy afternoon tea on the Terraces of the Palace of Westminster

After your Parliament visit, a special treat awaits you on the terraces of the Palace. You heard it right! Follow your guide to the top for a seat above the Houses of Parliament. Enjoy a beautiful view of the Thames and the bustling capital with a tasty cup of English afternoon tea, sandwiches, scones, petit fours and cakes. See how the outside of the Palace looks from here. Where else can you find such royal treatment!

Take this opportunity by booking Parliament Tour and Afternoon Tea combo tickets for you and your friends and family. Groups consist of only twenty people each, making it a fantastic experience for everybody. The three-and-a-half-hour tour starts at 1:30 PM. Meet your guide at the designated point at least fifteen minutes early for maximum convenience. Please note that the Houses of Parliament prohibits photography inside the premises, so avoid taking your camera out.

• Parliament entry tickets
• Fully guided tour inside Westminster Palace
• Afternoon Tea
• Hotel transfers

The tour begins at 1:30 PM. You must meet your guide at least 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour.

Getting your tickets

You will receive email confirmation shortly after booking. Please display your tickets on your mobile device with a valid photo ID to your guide.

Cancellation Policy

Tickets cannot be cancelled, amended or rescheduled.

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Discover the Best Houses Of Parliament Tours

Officially called the Palace of Westminster, this landmark Gothic building along the River Thames is where the House of Commons and the House of Lords meet in London's City of Westminster. This important site has been the location of former churches, palaces and even maybe a Roman temple. Palace of Westminster became the official meeting place for British Parliament in 1512 after then King VIII vacated it after a fire. Another fire in 1834 destroyed much of the structure. The "New Palace" was designed by architect Charles Barry and built from 1840-70. Visitors to the Palace of Westminster are able to tour the building as well as watch debates and meetings.

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Visit The Houses of Parliament

This post is about how to take a tour of the Houses of Parliament, as well as attend public debates. It covers security, dress codes, and other important tips.

And be sure to take one of our walking tours that cover the palace.

• Where is the Palace of Westminster?
• Public Tours
• Attending Public Debates
• Security and Dress Code
• Things to Do in London
• Other Royal Palaces
• Big Ben Tours

HOW TO GET TO THE PALACE OF WESTMINSTER

Be sure to check out our tour of Westminster and read how to get into Westminster Abbey for free .

The Houses of Parliament is located entirely within the Palace of Westminster, in the City of Westminster on the western bank of the River Thames.

We recommend using this Google map for directions to the palace from anywhere in London.

Due to its central location, it is within walking distance to many popular London attractions (see green circles above).

The closest Underground station is Westminster, which is served by the Jubilee, Circle and District lines.

It is also near the Embankment station, which is also serviced by the Bakerloo and Northern lines.

Be sure to read our post on navigating the London Underground and choosing the right travel pass .

If you are considering using one of the hop-on-hop-off buses while you are in London, note that all have stops at the Palace of Westminster.

We have a post that compares all of the various bus tour options in London.

HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT TOUR

One of the ways is to take a paid guided tour offered through the Houses of Parliament.

Reviews for this tour are mostly favorable, with an average of  4.5 out of 5 stars rating on TripAdvisor.

Some guests say that without a guided tour, you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information that is on display. Many people note that the guides are very friendly and easy to understand.

Here is the information you need to know to plan your visit:

• You can pre-book tickets online or purchase them on the same day from the Ticket Office in front of Portcullis House on Victoria Embankment. The Ticket Office is open on Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm, and Saturday from 8.45 am to 4.45 pm.
• Guided tours run Saturdays until 28 October 2023 and also Monday to Friday between 24 July and 1 September 2023.
• Guided tours in English start every 15 to 20 minutes throughout the day between 10:15 am and 3:45 pm.
• Guided tours in French, German, Italian, and Spanish are offered every tour day but at set times.
• Tours run about 1 hour and 30 minutes

Guided Tour Prices -

• Adults: £32
• Concessions (over 60s, students, members of the UK Armed Forces): £26
• Children (5-15 years): £16
• Children (under 5): Free, but will require a ticket for admission. ( Note : This tour is not recommended for young children due to the length of the tour and the amount of walking)
• Disabled visitors: Standard prices as listed above (escorts have free entry but will require a ticket for admission)
• Note: Residents of the UK can visit for free by writing to your MP to request a free tour which will be delivered by an ‘in-house’ Parliament guide.

For any other information visit the official  guided tour page for more information .

In addition to the guided tour provided by the Houses of Parliament, this company also offers exclusive access to the site on two separate tours.

Their main outing includes a tour of both the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, allowing you to see and learn about both landmarks at the same time with special access to each.

Alternatively, you may also want to consider their after-hours Houses of Parliament tour which makes it easy to avoid the crowds.

Houses of Parliament & Westminster Abbey Tour ( affiliate disclosure )

Note: The tour is currently unavailable as of March 2024.

• £89/Adults, Students | £84/Children
• Duration: 3 ½ – 4 hours
• Hours: 9 am, 1:30 pm
• Includes Westminster Abbey admission.
• Includes Houses of Parliament admission.

Behind the Scenes After Hours Parliament Tour ( affiliate disclosure )

• £59/Adults, Students | £55/Children
• Duration: 2 hours
• Hours: 4 pm
• Includes after-hours Houses of Parliament admission.
• Includes tour of the House of Commons.
• Includes tour of the House of Lords.

Reviews for Take Walks are generally very positive, with most customers indicating they offer top-of-the-line tours.

Many guests feel that their guides are very knowledgeable and friendly, willing to answer any and all questions you may have.

Self-Guided Audio Tours

After years of offering guided tours of the palace, there is now an  audio tour available to the public .

Guests are provided with headphones and guided along the line route whilst listening to the history and current politics of the Houses of Parliament.

Important figures in Parliament help provide some of the commentaries on the audio guide so guests will get to listen to people such as Black Rod and the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Reviews on TripAdvisor indicate that these self-guided audio tours are pretty darn good.

Guests who enjoyed this tour suggest that it is the best option for those who wish to experience the Houses of Parliament at their own pace which is nice if you’re hoping to take your time.

• Audio tours follow the same schedule as the guided tours above.
• Audio tours last 75 minutes and are available in many languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Mandarin and Brazilian Portuguese, and Welsh.
• There is also a separate audio guide aimed at children aged 7 - 12.

Audio Guide Tour Prices

• Adults: £25
• Concessions (over 60s, students, members of the UK Armed Forces): £18
• Children (5-15 years): One child is free with each paying adult, but will require a ticket for admission, £8 for each additional child
• Children (under 5): Free, but will require a ticket for admission
• Click  here to book your tour of the Houses of Parliament!

If you can't make it to Parliament for a tour, then view the video clips below.

They cover tours of the House of Commons, and the House of Lords as well as parts of the Palace of Westminster, such as Westminster Hall.

Visit the Public Galleries for the Houses of Common and Lords For Free

For visitors who are interested in witnessing the world's oldest democratic body in action without the cost of a public tour, it is possible to do so by sitting in one or both of the public galleries.

All the legislative work of the Houses of Parliament takes place in either the House of Commons or the House of Lords - and both of these chambers have sections that are open to the public.

Video tour of the House of Commons.  Click here for a tour of the House of Lords .

The House of Commons Public Gallery is located behind bullet-proof glass and visitors are escorted up the back stairs of the House of Commons to sit on the balcony and observe the debates.

The House of Lords Public Gallery is also up a set of back stairs but this Gallery has no glass which means guests are actually sitting on a balcony inside the House of Lords itself.

Throughout both chambers, there are microphones built into the benches to bring the sound of the MPs and Lords working into the Galleries.

Sitting in the Galleries of both the Commons and the Lords is entirely free. In fact, taking in the debates is #3 on our list of top 10 free things to do in London .

Access is only accessible when either House is in session.

When Parliament is not sitting, the Galleries are closed to the public and whenever Parliament is in session (even as late as 11:00 pm) guests are allowed inside.

Occasionally you may find that there is a queue to get in, and visitors are put into a first-come-first-serve system inside the Palace.

This is particularly true for Wednesday mornings when the Prime Minister addresses the House of Commons.

Visitor access to the galleries, while the Prime Minister is speaking, is limited to ticket holders only, who obtain their tickets by contacting their Member of Parliament.

For this reason, it's advisable for most to avoid visiting the galleries at this time.

To gain access, go to the main entrance at Cromwell Green (see map link and the image below) and speak to the Visitor Assistants (wearing gold and blue) outside, who will let you know if the Houses are in session, what they are debating, and how long the wait may be.

To find out which days Parliament will be sitting, simply visit their website to plan your trip: www.Parliament.uk

Also note: Children under 5 are not allowed into the Public Gallery and older children can be denied access if the doorkeepers feel this necessary.

SECURITY AND DRESS CODE

The visitor entry point to the Palace of Westminster is located at 3 St. Margaret's Street ( map ), just across from St. Margaret's Church.

The closest Underground Station is Westminster, which services the Jubilee, District, and Circle lines.

Visitors coming to the Houses of Parliament - either for the tours or to attend the debates - are subject to tight security screening.

Described as "airport-style security" guests must pass through metal detectors and have all bags x-rayed and searched.

Guests will then have their photographs taken and issued a temporary pass which must be worn at all times and marks them out as visitors.

Certain items are restricted when visiting the Houses of Parliament and visitors should be aware that possession of these materials may see them prevented from entering.

In general, most lists of banned items on airplanes match with the list of banned items in Parliament. So sharp objects like scissors or blades of any sort are forbidden as are some aerosol sprays.

You can get more information on what's prohibited here.

Guests will also need to leave their belongings at the Doorkeepers before entering any of the Public Galleries as mobile phones, cameras, and any other personal effects are banned in the Galleries.

There is no dress code for the tour through the Palace of Westminster. Although we do recommend choosing inoffensive attire, you are pretty much free to wear whatever is comfortable.

Big Ben and Other Nearby Attractions

There is a lot to see in the area. We have a useful post on things to do in Westminster , but below are some of the highlights.

• Trafalgar Square
• Changing of the Guard
• Buckingham Palace
• 10 Downing Street
• Westminster Abbey
• The Churchill War Rooms
• The Horse Guards
• St. James's Palace

OUR TOURS THAT COVER THE PALACE

**Tip:   Come along on one of our  Westminster Tours !

The tour finishes at the Palace of Westminster and your guide will show you the facade of the Palace during your walk and will point you in the right direction for your visit to Parliament once the tour has finished.

On Saturdays, you can buy a ticket for a guided tour of the Palace.

During the week, your tour will finish in the perfect time for you to get a space in the Public Gallery.

Also, check out how to get into Westminster Abbey for free .

When it comes to ratings and reviews on TripAdvisor , it’s clear that a lot of guests have enjoyed our Westminster tour. Our London service rated 5 out of 5 stars.  

Reviewers mention that our guides are very friendly and informative, which is definitely an experience we strive to provide. One word keeps popping up more than any other among these reviews: historic.

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