Houses of Parliament & Big Ben

The Palace of Westminster — home to the House of Commons and House of Lords — is one of London's most recognisable buildings, with Big Ben's clock tower forming the iconic skyline silhouette.

Guided Tours

Paid guided tours run on Saturdays and during parliamentary recess, taking in the historic chambers and Westminster Hall — book well ahead as slots are limited.

Watching a Debate (Free)

UK residents and international visitors alike can watch debates from the public gallery for free — including Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesdays, one of the most popular sessions. Queue at Cromwell Green entrance; no advance booking for the public gallery.

Big Ben Tower Tours

Climbing the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) requires a separate, more limited tour — UK residents can apply through their MP; international visitors have more limited access.

Getting There

Westminster station (Circle, District and Jubilee lines) is directly outside.

Tips

• PMQs on Wednesday is free and genuinely entertaining — queue early at Cromwell Green.
• Book guided tours well in advance — Saturday slots sell out.