Houses of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament are the place where laws governing British life are debated and enacted. Begun in 1840 after a fire destroyed the previous building, the Gothic style was designed by Sir Charles Barry with aid from A.W. Pugin. It contains the bell Big Ben that is struck each quarter hour. A light in the clock tower tells when the House of Commons is in session. The Houses of Parliament are steeped in pomp, ceremony and splendour. The Queen rides in a State coach to Westminster to open each new session of Parliament, usually in the second week in November. During the Summer Opening visitors can buy tickets to tour Parliament. It is arranged during the summer recess, when Parliament does not sit and Members work away from Westminster. Tours run from Monday to Saturday inclusive, but not on Sundays or Bank Holidays. Tours take about 75 minutes. The 2009 opening will run until Saturday 3 October. Tel: 020 7219 4272. .

Houses of Parliament tours -

United Kingdom Residents: during session - People who are resident in this country should contact their local Member of Parliament or a Peer whom they know.
The address for contacting MPs is: House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA . At present, tours are only available on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and on Fridays – all day if the Commons are not sitting, late afternoon if they are. There will be no access to the Commons chamber after 09.30 on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

Educational Institutions - Schools or other educational institutions based in this country should normally contact their local MP to arrange a tour of the Houses of Parliament. However, the Parliamentary Education Unit offers a range of educational visits for students years 3 – 10 throughout the year. Visits for older students (KS4) take place in the autumn and this programme is advertised in the TES each March. Houses of Parliament are closed during the Easter holidays. For more details please click on the following link: www.parliament.uk | Map