Visit the Palace of Westminster
Date Selection
Big Ben Tour Dates and Times
More information about big ben tour, big ben tour.
Big Ben needs little introduction. The famous bell is a cultural icon around the world and these popular tours offer visitors the chance to see (and hear) how Big Ben works, up close. This fully guided tour takes you up the narrow 334-step spiral stairwell of the Elizabeth Tower to the Belfry where Big Ben hangs. As you ascend, you will stop in the exhibition spaces, which use AV technology to bring to life the story of Big Ben and The Elizabeth Tower. You will see the inner workings of the clock mechanism, stand next to the world-famous Big Ben bell as it strikes the hour, and step behind the dials each spanning 6.9m in diameter. Visitors will be able to book a maximum of eight tickets per person, depending on availability and children must be aged 11 years and older. Visitors must be comfortable climbing 334 steps and experiencing high noise levels from the clock mechanism and bells - earplugs will be provided. After your tour you can also explore medieval Westminster Hall, and enjoy a refreshment at the Jubilee Café. Next door is the Jubilee Shop which sells official Big Ben merchandise. Your visit will last 1 hour and 45 minutes. If the dates below are greyed out or you are prompted to enter a code to book, it means that the date selected is not available. Tickets are released on the second Wednesday of every month at 10:00. Please be advised the UK Parliament is a working building and tours may be cancelled at short notice due to parliamentary business and access restrictions.
Important Information
Tour duration • Visitors should arrive at the Cromwell Green entrance no later than 30 minutes before the start of their tour. If you arrive after this time we are unable to provide a refund or exchange and you will not be able to join your tour. • Your visit will last 1 hour and 45 minutes. This includes the 90-minute tour and time at the start and end of the tour to lock away and retrieve your belongings. When tours run • Monday to Saturday. Suitability • These tours are not suitable for everyone. • Children must be aged 11 and over. • All visitors must be comfortable climbing 334 steps and experiencing high noise levels from the clock mechanism and bells - earplugs will be provided. • Please read more details about tour suitability . Language options • These tours are offered in English only. Accessibility • Due to the constraints of the Tower, accessible tours including step-free access are not currently available. Sign up to our newsletter to hear about accessible tour options in due course. Planning your visit • Visit the website for more information on planning your visit to Big Ben .
We and selected third parties use cookies in order to run this website. We also use analytical cookies to improve the website and marketing cookies to provide you with personalised content. By clicking "Accept", you consent to this and to the sharing of your data with our partners. If you choose to decline, we will only use the necessary, functional cookies. Please read our cookies policy for more information.
Accept Reject
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Select a date and book online now. For bookings of 10 or more tickets, please email our groups team or call 020 7219 4114. Fully guided tours of the Houses of Parliament offer a unique combination of one thousand years of history, …
UK Parliament Tickets. Audio Tours. Explore the Palace at your own pace with a multimedia, multi-language device with additional content for children in English. Book an Audio Tour. Guided Tours. Enjoy a compelling 90-minute tour …
Visit the EU institution representing European citizens. The European Parliament welcomes group and individual visitors in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg.
Guided Tour. Venture into the heart of the Palace of Westminster accompanied by an expert guide and discover the history, heritage and work of UK Parliament. This 90-minute tour is …
This fully guided tour takes you up the narrow 334-step spiral stairwell of the Elizabeth Tower to the Belfry where Big Ben hangs. As you ascend, you will stop in the exhibition spaces, which use AV technology to bring to life the story of …
Welcome to the Houses of Parliament 360° virtual tour; discover the history, art, and architecture of the building and discover what happens at UK Parliament. Immerse yourself in the 360° …
Book a free educational visit to UK Parliament for your school, college or group. We'll help you engage young people from schools, colleges, youth groups, community groups and home education groups about UK Parliament, active …
On this page, find out how to request a school visit, current availability, travel subsidy, and planning your visit. Thank you for your interest in booking a school visit to UK Parliament. The application window for Spring Term 2025 has now …