During our upcoming trip to the UK, we are trying to balance scheduled sightseeing against just "soaking it all in." We had both talked about visiting Parliament, which is not in session but offers 75 minute guided tours on Saturdays (only). Anyone done this? Worth the time / expense? Necessary to purchase tickets beforehand or decide when we get there? Many thanks for any guidance you can provide!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33821 posts
I'd never heard of the tours. I do know that when Parliament is sitting it is possible to queue for the Visitors' Gallery. If the tour takes you to Westminster Hall as well I would jump on it. That place has associations for hundreds and hundreds of years (as opposed to the main buildings which are Victorian). The hammer beam ceiling of Westminster Hall has to be seen.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15784 posts
I have toured other European parliaments and found them all to be interesting. If you can't get advance tickets, you may have to stand in line for a while.
Posted by
NC, United States
970 posts
I've taken the tour. It's well worth it, especially if you have a basic knowledge of UK political history. The narrated tour is excellent. Take a look at www.parliament.uk and click on the visiting link. I bought my ticket online a few months in advance. If you want to do this, book ASAP.
Posted by
Williamsburg, VA
15 posts
I took this tour several years ago, on a spur-of-the-moment decision, and found it fascinating. The tour followed the route that the sovereign takes for the opening of parliament, starting at the sovereign's entrance at Victoria Tower and going all the way through the Palace ending in Westminster Hall. I believe the cost was only 10 GBP when I took it, but I thought that it was well worth it, in fact it was one of the highlights of that visit to London for me. One note: when the tour guide tells you not to touch anything, take him at his word.
Posted by
NC, United States
970 posts
For Americans, events and decisions in these buildings have influenced our lives more than events and decisions in any buildings outside Capitol Hill.
Posted by
TO
110 posts
If this is the same tour that operates in summer, it's worthwhile. I've taken the tour in summer. Try to book tickets asap.
Posted by
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
2349 posts
If you are there while Parliament is in session you may get to witness history being made. A friend was there when they voted to go to war in Iraq.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
We took the Parliament tour in September (when they were in recess) a few years back, I think we had to get tickets a couple of hours ahead of time but there was plenty else to see and do. The tour is great, starting and ending in Westminster Hall which is one of the truly historic spaces in Britain. You also go into the Lords and Commons chambers, the Queen's robing rooms, and other interesting and beautiful places. For a history/politics junkie like me it was unforgettable. Many years ago I saw debate from the gallery but that's a much chancier proposition as far as interest -- besides, you can get that on C-SPAN Sunday nights.