I will be in London for most of June and the first half of July. I was considering booking an audio tour or a guided tour of Parliament for myself and my two schoolage children. As of now, I can only book for Saturdays in June and July. Will weekdays open up at a later date closer to my trip? For example, I see one weekend still available in April and three weekdays available in March. Just curious before I lock us in to a particular date.
Rick's newest book says the cost is free when Parliament is in session; is that still the case? You just line up and do a security check and then can enter any weekday Parliament is in session?
Posted by
Preston UK
1394 posts
The tours are only on Saturdays when Parliament is in session, which it will be until around 22/7 apart from a short break at the end of May. The April dates will be in the Easter break.
Posted by
3010 posts
There is a difference between attending a session (which is what lining up is for) and a tour. We took an in person tour on a Saturday in May and enjoyed it very much. They do sell out quickly. I debated about what time to go and soon I had no choice!
Posted by
Chicago
753 posts
To attend a session of Parliament, indeed, all you do is line up (if there is a line)
at the entrance on the street facing Westminster Abbey.
If you are unsure of where to go, there are plenty of security/aides that will
help direct you.
After security, you have the option of attending whatever house(s) are in
session. Once you clear the initial security check, you can move freely
between, for example, the House of Commons and House of Lords.
You get to see a lot of the halls just getting to the Houses, so you might
not need to do both a tour and a session visit.
Note that photos are not allowed in once you pass the hall from which you
access the respective chambers of the House of Lords/Commons.