Visit Parliament

Last updated 17/11/2020

Parliament is currently shut to the public due to corona virus

School Visits: If you are planning a visit for your school please visit the UK Parliament website.

Constituents:  MPs can sponsor tours of Parliament for constituents who would like to visit. Tours are given to constituents free of charge but can only be arranged on certain days and at certain times. If you would like Ruth to arrange a tour of Parliament for you, then please contact the office with your preferred dates.

UK residents can also watch debates for free in both the House of Commons and Lords by visiting the public galleries. The galleries are open to the public when the Houses are sitting (meeting), which is from Monday to Thursday and Sitting Fridays.

The busiest time is during Question Time (Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Commons). Free tickets are required to ensure entry and you must contact the Ruth’s in advance to request them.  Please note there is usually a waiting list, as each MP is allocated tickets on different Wednesdays.  It is possible to queue for tickets – outside Cromwell Green – on the day but visitors will only gain entrance if there are any spare tickets.

Tickets are not required for other debates, but there is a public queue – again outside Cromwell Green – and a wait of one to two hours should be anticipated.

Sitting times:

House of Commons – Main Chamber

Monday: 2.30pm-10.30pm
Tuesday: 2.30pm-10.30pm
Wednesday: 11.30am-7.30pm
Thursday: 10.30am-6.30pm
Sitting Friday: 9.30am-3pm

Westminster Hall

Tuesday & Wednesday:  9.30am-11.30am, 2pm-4.30pm
Thursday: 2.30pm-5.30pm

House of Lords

Monday: 2.30pm-10pm
Tuesday: 2.30pm-10pm
Wednesday: 3pm-10pm
Thursday: 1am-7.30pm
Sitting Friday: from 10am-close of business

NB: Please note that all finishing times are approximate. These times do not apply during recess, when neither House is sitting.