Houses of Parliament & Big Ben Tour
A guided walk through the working Palace of Westminster — Commons, Lords, Westminster Hall — under the newly restored Big Ben.
The call
Worth it if you're watching the budget and you only have one day.
Short answer
Is Houses of Parliament & Big Ben Tour worth it?
Houses of Parliament & Big Ben Tour deserves a place on most first itineraries.
The answer depends on your budget, time and travel style; the breakdown below shows who gets the most value.
Why
- 01
You stand in the room where the country is actually argued over, and Westminster Hall's 900-year-old hammerbeam roof is genuinely jaw-dropping.
- 02
The honest catch: it's history-dense and reverent, not flashy — bored kids will fidget, and tour dates are limited around sitting days.
Is it a fit?
Go if
You're watching the budget
Houses of Parliament & Big Ben Tour earns the spend, even on a tight budget.
You only have one day
Short trip or not, keep Houses of Parliament & Big Ben Tour.
You're traveling as a couple
As a couple, Houses of Parliament & Big Ben Tour is an easy yes.
You're traveling solo
Solo, Houses of Parliament & Big Ben Tour is an easy yes.
Plan it well
- Cost
- £25–£30
- Timing
- Book a guided tour on a non-sitting day, often Saturdays and recesses.
- Booking
- Tours must be booked in advance and dates are limited; UK residents can also arrange MP-sponsored visits.
- Allow
- 1.5 hrs
- Accessibility
- Step-free routes are available; arrange accessibility needs when booking due to the historic building.
- Getting there
- Westminster Tube, directly opposite the Palace of Westminster.