Parliament Tours

Members do not pay for most ELSA events and where there is a charge, members will pay a reduced fee. Members are also given priority for ELSA events and some events and opportunities are strictly Members Only.

We will meet outside the Visitors’ Entrance at the appointed time.

•  Thursday 30 September @ 9.24am

•  Friday 8th October @ 10.04

•  Friday 8th October @ 11.48am

Once the group is assembled, names checked on the register and fees collected (non members), we will proceed through the security checks. This can take 15 – 20 minutes as it is a bit like going through the airport security.

Once through security, we will walk to  Westminster Hall where we will be met by the guide.

Each tour will last approximately 75 minutes.  After the tours, you are free to stay and watch some parliamentary business (debates, committee hearings etc). Please check the parliamentary calendar to see if anything is scheduled click here

These tours are conducted by parliament guides. Please note that whilst all guides visit the same areas, they all have different styles and focus on different areas of history. It is not possible to say in advance which group will get which guide. Some are more entertaining than others, some have louder voices than others. You just have to hope that you get a funny guide with a loud voice and no strong accent – in any case they are all trained and all very knowledgeable.

You will start off in historic Westminster Hall a medieval hammer beam hall- supposedly one of the largest in Europe – location of many of the great trials of English history – Thomas Moor, Charles I, Braveheart, Guy Fawkes etc. Westminster Hall was actually the King’s court, the place of the King’s Bench and the Chancery. As well as big trials, people could come there to petition. Because of it’s huge historic significance, it is difficult to know what to do with the hall today. For this reason it remains a big, empty space.

Click here for background information about the Palace of Westminster (aka Houses of Parliament)

Houses of Parliament visitors’ guide ( ← click here)

Please note we will meet outside the Visitors’ Entrance / St Stephen’s Gate entrance in front of parliament. You will know the entrance because there are big black concrete and metal crash barriers sticking out of the pavement

INFORMATION ABOUT ATTENDING DEBATES

click here

INFORMATION ABOUT WATCHING COMMITTEES

click here

WHAT’S ON IN PARLIAMENT (Calendar of meetings etc)

click here

COST

• FREE for ELSA members
• £5 for non members, pay cash on the day of the visit.

ALL PLACES NOW FULL – check here for cancellations