BIG BEN AND THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT ULTIMATE GUIDE
Mon - Sun: 9:30am to 5:30PM
Time Needed: 1.5 hours
Price: £30
Out of all the London landmarks scattered throughout the city that can be visited with free walking tours, none are more recognizable or synonymous with London’s culture than the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
The Houses of Parliament and its magnificent clock tower (famously nicknamed “Big Ben”) have become iconic symbols of London for centuries, and it’s hard not to imagine these two attractions when an image of London comes to mind.
The Houses of Parliament (also known as the Palace of Westminster – not to be confused with the nearby Westminster Abbey) was originally built as a royal palace and residence during the reign of Henry VIII. In 1547 the building was given to the British Parliament, and it has been its permanent location ever since.
Big Ben (now named The Elizabeth Tower) which is located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, stands at 96 metres in height and also contains the second largest four-faced chiming clock in the world.
Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament Highlights
Unbeknownst to many visitors admiring its glorious architecture and massive clock tower from the outside, the Palace of Westminster actually serves as a meeting point for British politicians; and if you’re lucky enough, during your visit to London you may even be able to sit in on a House of Commons meeting (for free!)
But that’s not all the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben have to offer. Inside the Palace of Westminster you can see plaques commemorating the trials of William Wallace, Guy Fawkes and Charles I (just to name a few); and the oldest section of the palace (The Hall) is an architectural delight which contains the largest hammer-beamed room in the world.
St. Stephen’s Hall is another famous section inside the Palace of Westminster, which is located at the far end of Westminster Hall. St. Stephen’s Hall was once used as a royal chapel, and some of the most important parliamentary events in British history took place here.
Special Tips
Be sure to book online beforehand or arrive extra early as queues can be incredibly long, and be prepared to stand out in the rain.
If you don't feel like going on a guided tour, there are self-guided tours available so you can walk at your own pace. The guided tour, however, offers much more historical information about the construction of the buildings, and leads visitors through sections that are not accessible to the public. It may be a good idea to sign up online beforehand as availability may be limited.
Although it is recommended you arrive 15 minutes before your tour starts, it may be a good idea to arrive even earlier (at least 30 minutes beforehand).
This visit is the perfect culmination to a free tour in Westminster, so you can learn about the history of London and the context in which these landmarks were built.
Getting There
Address: Any visitor wishing to purchase a ticket for the tour should go to the ticket office located at the front of Portcullis House just 4 minutes walk from Big Ben.
By tube: If you are travelling by tube, the nearest station is Westminster station, which is a 4 minute walk away.
By coach: If you are travelling by coach, bus drivers can make a stop on Abingdon Street which is a one-minute walk away from The Palace of Westminster
By bus: If you are travelling by bus, there are countless routes to choose from which stop at Parliament Square on Victoria Street (opposite the Houses of Parliament)
By car: Finally, if you're travelling by car, the nearest car parks are on Great Peter Street, Smith Square and Matthew Parker Street. There is also an underground car park opposite the Houses of Parliament.
Visiting Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament
Big Ben tours:
This guided tour of the Big Ben (the Elizabeth Tower) takes you up a narrow 334-step spiral stairwell to the belfry where Big Ben, the Great Bell, hangs. Along the route, your guide will reveal details of the most extensive and complex conservation project in the Tower’s history. This vital conservation work involved over 500 people from across the UK and their traditional crafts including stone masonry, glass blowing, gilding, plastering, cast iron and clock mechanics.
On this tour, visitors will see the inner workings of the clock mechanism, stand next to the world-famous Big Ben bell as it strikes the hour, and step behind the dials. Visitors are also welcome to explore medieval Westminster Hall afterwards.
Prices:
- Adults £30
- Child (aged 11-17) £15. Visitors must be aged 11 years and over.
How to book: These highly popular tours tend to sell out on the day of release. Tickets are released three months in advance, on the second Wednesday of every month at 10am. Tickets can only be purchased online and visitors will be able to book a maximum of eight tickets per person, depending on availability.
Speaker’s House guided tours:
This is a visit of the State Apartments of Speaker’s House, the part of the Palace of Westminster where the Speaker conducts official business and lives. A guide will share the history and traditions of the role of the Speaker and show the artworks on display.
Tour highlights include the Grand Staircase, the Crimson Drawing Room, the State Dining Room, and the State Bedroom.
Prices:
- Adult £20
- Young adult (16-24) £12
- Concessions (UK Armed Forces) £12
- Visitors with a disability can book a free ticket for their essential companion
How to book: Tours can be booked online or at the ticket office which is at the front of Portcullis House (post code SW1A 2LW).
Self-guided audio tours of the Palace of Westminster:
Using a multimedia device, visitors on this self-guided tour are guided through famous spaces including medieval Westminster Hall, the House of Commons Chamber, House of Lords Chamber, and other spaces. The multimedia device is available in 10 languages -English, British Sign Language, Welsh, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, Russian, and Brazilian Portuguese.
Prices:
- Adult £26 (£28 on the day)
- Young adult (16-24) £19 (£21 on the day)
- Children (5-15) FREE / £9* (£11 on the day)
- Children under 5 go free but still require a ticket for entry.
- Concessions (UK Armed Forces) £19 (£21 on the day)
- Visitors with a disability can book a free ticket for their essential companion
*One child free with each full paying adult included in adult and child package.
How to book: Tours can be booked online or at the ticket office which is at the front of Portcullis House (post code SW1A 2LW).
Guided tours of the Palace of Westminster:
Discover the history and work of UK Parliament on guided tour of the Palace of Westminster. Your is offered in English and includes the House of Commons, House of Lords, and Westminster Hall. Your guide will share the history, art, and architecture of the building, as well as giving you an insight into the Houses of Commons and Lords today.
Prices:
- Adult £33 (£35 on the day)
- Young adult (16-24) £27 (£29 on the day)
- Children (5-15) £17 (£19 on the day)
- Children under 5 go free but still require a ticket for entry. Please note the guided tour is not recommended for this age group.
- Concessions (UK Armed Forces) £27 (£29 on the day)
- Visitors with a disability can book a free ticket for their essential companion
How to book: Tours can be booked online or at the ticket office which is at the front of Portcullis House (post code SW1A 2LW).
Opening times
Parliament recesses for three months over the summer, as well as over the Easter and Christmas holidays. During this time, there are guided tours to both the chambers and various other historic areas, as well as every Saturday any time of the year.
If you are checking out the Big Ben, you might also want to join any of the free London tours that are available on offer.
