Arranging tours for UK students
Free guided tours are available by requesting a place through your MP or a member of the House of Lords.
Tours are very popular and places are limited so generally have to be booked about six months in advance.
Watch debates or Question Times
Students can watch debates on current issues or proposed new laws in both Houses by visiting the public galleries when Parliament is sitting.
On Mondays to Thursdays the queue opens one hour before sitting times. On sitting Fridays, you can queue from 9.00am. The public queue is located outside the Cromwell Green Visitor Entrance.
In both Houses, the busiest time is during Question Time. Entrance to all Question Times is by ticket only. Free tickets can be requested from your MP or a Lord.
You can use the online Parliamentary Calendar to check sitting times, see what Parliamentary business is taking place and look at future business to help you plan a visit.
There is no time limit on how much of public proceedings in the Chamber you may watch.
Watch committees
Public committee sessions are open to everyone. There are meetings Monday to Thursday most weeks when Parliament is sitting. You can check what Committees are meeting and when by using the online Parliamentary Calendar.
To see what Select Committee hearings are scheduled in future, you can also check the Committee calendars:
Visitors queue on the day for access to both the public galleries and Committee meetings. Places cannot be booked in advance.
There is no time limit on how much of a public committee session you may watch.
Arriving at Parliament for your visit
Unless otherwise informed, you should usually arrive at the Cromwell Green Visitor Entrance to come through security to watch debates or Question Times.
Some Committee meetings take place in Portcullis House. The entrance for Portcullis House Entrance is located on Victoria Embankment.
Maps and information on directions for getting to Parliament are available online:
Information about security arrangements and information on disabled access is also available online:
If you tell a Visitor Assistant or police officer that you are attending a committee meeting or watching business in the Chamber, they will direct you to the right queue.
You can also ask Visitor Assistants for directions once inside the building.