London’s Houses of Parliament: A Hands-On Visitor’s Guide

Londoners pass Westminster every day, but stepping inside the Houses of Parliament is an entirely different experience. While the gothic towers and Big Ben dominate the skyline, most people aren’t sure if, or how, you can actually get in. The good news: yes, you can visit, and you don’t need to be a VIP.

Start by planning ahead. Tours run most Saturdays and on select weekdays, but sessions get snapped up—especially during school holidays and summer. Book your slot online through the UK Parliament’s official website. Forget turning up and winging it; walk-in spaces are rare and usually leave you waiting for hours behind groups with advance tickets.

• Getting In: Booking Your Visit
• What to Expect on the Tour
• Must-See Spots Inside Parliament
• Tips for Locals and Repeat Visitors
• Nearby Eats and Photo Stops

Getting In: Booking Your Visit

If you’re keen to see the inside of the London Houses of Parliament, start with booking your visit online. The official UK Parliament website is really the only place you need. Don’t bother with third-party ticket sites—they’re more expensive, and you won’t get priority entry. Standard tickets sell out quickly during the summer and on weekends, so book at least two weeks ahead if you can.

If you’re a UK resident, there’s a neat trick: you may be able to snag a free ticket through your local MP. Parliament Members often have an allocation of free spaces for public tours, but you have to request in advance, typically by emailing or calling their office. It’s worth checking, especially if you’re on a budget. Overseas visitors can use paid tours, which are just as thorough and sometimes include a handy audio guide if you want to explore at your own pace.

Guided tours usually run on Saturdays and certain weekdays when Parliament isn’t in session, like summer recess. If you’re thinking of catching a live debate, you can actually queue for the public galleries. Arrive early—entrance works on a first-come, first-served basis, and there’s a separate security check. Don’t bring big bags or sealed drinks; they’ll ask you to leave them outside or bin them.

Here’s a quick checklist for booking:

• Choose your date and check for available time slots online.
• Book and pay for tickets through the UK Parliament’s site—print the confirmation or bring it on your phone.
• If you’re a local, reach out to your MP for possible free tickets.
• Arrive 20-30 minutes early; Westminster security is more like the airport than a museum.

The closest Tube station is Westminster (on the District, Circle, and Jubilee lines). On busy days, use the nearby Embankment or St James’s Park stations to beat the crowds if Westminster gets too packed. And if you do turn up late, be honest at the gate—they sometimes let you join the next slot if there’s space, but it’s not guaranteed.

What to Expect on the Tour

The moment you step inside, security at the Houses of Parliament feels a lot like airport checks. Bags are scanned, pockets emptied, sometimes even a quick pat down. Once you're through, it’s surprisingly easy-going. The staff are used to nervous first-timers and curious regulars alike, so no fuss about questions or needing directions.

Most tours are led by real, local guides—many with stories that beat anything you’ll find in a textbook. You’ll get to walk through the Central Lobby, the actual meeting point for MPs, and see the famous green benches in the House of Commons. The red benches in the House of Lords? Yep, you’ll see those too, but don’t even think of sitting on them—members only.

The architecture grabs your attention straight away. You’ll clock the Queen’s robing room where she gets ready for the State Opening, and St Stephen’s Hall with its statues and hushed voices bouncing off stone. Some tours even let you peek inside the voting lobbies, where the real deal-making happens.

Photography is only allowed in designated areas. Guides will warn you where to keep your camera stashed, so don’t be the person who gets told off for a sneaky selfie on the Commons floor.

If you book the audio tour instead (great if you want to go at your own pace), you’ll get a set of headphones with a choice of languages. Or, use your own phone if you want to avoid shared gear. Expect the full walk to take about 90 minutes. Wear comfy shoes—lots of steps, plus it’s a long way round.

• Most tours in summer run from 9am to 4.30pm. Afternoon slots usually mean fewer crowds.
• There are bag checks at the start, but cloakrooms inside for coats and larger bags are free.
• Toilets are inside and well signposted—no need for awkward searching.

One last heads up: no food or drink inside, so grab a snack beforehand, or plan for a meal just after you finish. It’s all very organised and, even if crowds seem a bit mad on arrival, it moves quickly once you start the actual tour.

Must-See Spots Inside Parliament

Once you’re through security and into the heart of Westminster, don’t just wander around aimlessly—some rooms are a must. The Houses of Parliament aren’t just architecture; they’re working buildings where real decisions get made, so access to certain areas can change if business is underway. Here’s how to make the most of your visit when things are open to the public.

• The Central Lobby: Right in the middle, this octagon-shaped space is the crossing point between the House of Commons and House of Lords. You’ll find it full of dramatic mosaics and statues. This is also a spot locals know well because, in theory, any UK resident can ask to see their MP here. Photos are allowed here, so snap away.
• House of Commons Chamber: This is where all the real political drama happens. The green benches face each other—government on one side, opposition on the other. The chamber was rebuilt after WWII and you’ll spot scratch marks left from when MPs used to keep swords at their seats (seriously). No photos in here, but do take a second to soak it all in.
• House of Lords Chamber: More gold than a Regent Street jeweller, this room goes heavy on tradition. Look for the enormous golden throne at the end, used by the monarch at State Opening. If you’re lucky, you might catch a live debate—usually less rowdy than the Commons but a true slice of British pageantry.
• Westminster Hall: Easily the oldest part of the building, it’s been standing since 1097. The hammer-beam roof is something you’ll not see anywhere else in London. Major events—like speeches from President Obama or lying-in-state ceremonies—happen right here. You might recognise it from the news.
• St Stephen’s Hall: This corridor is easy to miss, but don’t rush. The statues along the way are famous politicians from centuries past, and the mosaics on the floor tell some wild stories about the UK’s political history.

If you want quick stats on just how big or busy Parliament gets, check this table:

Stay alert—sometimes, parts of the building close at short notice for debates or visiting heads of state. If you want to see something in particular, ask a steward before your tour kicks off or check the Parliament website the night before your visit.

Tips for Locals and Repeat Visitors

If you’re a Londoner or someone who lives close by, you honestly have the best shot at exploring the Houses of Parliament on your own terms. The trick is knowing how to avoid tourist rushes and make the most of those quieter times. Parliament is at its calmest on weekday afternoons outside of peak school holidays (avoid late July through August if you can). Early spring and November are sweet spots—lighter crowds, more time to chat with the guides, and sometimes you’ll even get lucky with special access to unusual areas if you ask nicely.

Repeat visitors can shake things up. Themed tours run every so often—like the Women's Suffrage tour or sessions focused on architecture—so keep an eye on the Parliament website. London locals can also take advantage of the "London Pass" or booking a Residents' Day slot if one comes up (they pop up a few times a year and usually go quickly). These options can get you ticket discounts or exclusive route variations.

If you’ve already seen the Commons debates once, try catching a Lords session next time. It’s a different vibe—slightly more formal, but you can often walk straight in if you live or work in the city. Don’t forget locals are allowed to sit in the public galleries simply by queuing up at St Stephen’s Entrance with proof of address. No need to pay, and during quiet weeks, there’s usually no line.

• Sign up to the Parliament newsletter for alerts about new tours and public events—free lectures and panel talks sometimes open up last minute.
• Use one of the secure cloakrooms at Westminster tube if you’re heading over after work. Bags over 6kg aren’t allowed, but they don’t accept luggage in the building.
• For a fresh angle, walk along the embankment towards Lambeth Bridge at sunset. You’ll get crowd-free spectacular views of the Palace—that’s what locals do for photos.

If you’ve got a mate in politics, don’t be shy: ask if they can sign you in for an even closer look—MPs can bring guests to bars like Strangers’, so you might score a pint inside Parliament itself. There’s nothing quite as London as that.

Nearby Eats and Photo Stops

After exploring inside, you’ll want a place to refuel and somewhere decent for photos that don’t just look like every other Instagram shot of Westminster. Let’s get practical with food first. Right across from Parliament, you’ve got Café Nero and Riverside Café—both decent for a quick bite and a strong coffee, especially if you’re dodging British rain. If you’re craving something classic, The Two Chairmen is one of London’s oldest pubs, dating back to the 1700s—plenty of space and proper pies.

If you want a sit-down meal, The Parliamentary Lounge at the Marriott County Hall scores for comfort food with a Thames view. Or just walk ten minutes to The Red Lion on Whitehall—packed with MPs after sessions and serving fish and chips that locals actually order.

For snacks on the go, pop into Pret A Manger by Westminster Station. It’s your failsafe for a sandwich and a coffee that won’t bust the budget.

Now for those must-grab photos. The best spot for the standard Parliament snap is from the south end of Westminster Bridge—Big Ben and the Thames in one frame, classic and crowded for a reason. Want angles with fewer tourists in the shot? Head behind the building to Victoria Tower Gardens. Early mornings or evenings, you’ll get the golden light and likely spot only a jogger or two in the background.

Walk up to Parliament Square for those classic statues: Winston Churchill, Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela. It’s also where you’ll catch the red double-decker buses rolling past for that "only in London" photo.

“There’s something just iconic about the view across the Thames, especially at sunset, when the Houses of Parliament light up," says local photographer Jamie Lister in The Londonist. "But don’t miss the gardens out back—it’s where most locals go for a quieter snap.”

One more tip: If you’re aiming for social media gold, shoot on a Sunday morning. The crowds haven’t arrived, and the sunrise paints the buildings in a glow you just can’t fake with filters.