The Houses of Parliament UK is the Palace of Westminster in London, where the House of Commons and the House of Lords meet. Fire destroyed most of it in 1834, and the Gothic Revival building you see today was finished in 1870. You can tour it, or watch a debate for free.
It’s also home to Big Ben. Below you’ll find the history of the Houses of Parliament UK, the numbers worth knowing, and a practical guide to tours, prices, and security. The 2026 details come from Parliament’s own site.
What Are the Houses of Parliament in the UK?
The name covers the building and the two chambers inside it. According to Parliament’s website, the two Houses examine what the government is doing, make laws, hold the power to set taxes, and debate the issues of the day.
The site is also a landmark in its own right. In 1987, UNESCO listed the Palace of Westminster, along with Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret’s Church, as a World Heritage Site. UNESCO calls the Palace one of the most significant monuments of neo-Gothic architecture.
Houses of Parliament UK History: From Westminster Hall to Today
Parts of the story are very old. Westminster Hall dates to 1097, and Parliament calls it the oldest building on its estate. But almost everything around it burned on October 16, 1834, in what Parliament calls the tally-stack fire.
A parliamentary committee then asked for a Gothic or Elizabethan design, and architect Charles Barry won a competition with 97 entries. He worked with Augustus Pugin, who loved the Gothic style. Barry’s wife laid the first stone in 1840. Most of the building was done by 1860, and the whole job finished in 1870.
- 1097: Westminster Hall is built.
- October 16, 1834: Fire destroys most of the old Palace.
- 1870: The rebuilding is complete.
- May 11, 1941: The Commons Chamber is destroyed on the last day of the Blitz.
- September 12, 2012: Big Ben’s tower is renamed Elizabeth Tower for the Diamond Jubilee.
- November 13, 2022: Big Ben’s chimes return after the tower’s conservation.
Houses of Parliament Facts: Big Ben, the Tower, and the Hall
These Houses of Parliament UK facts are the ones visitors ask about most. Most come from Parliament’s own facts page.
- Height: Elizabeth Tower is 96 meters (about 315 feet) tall, with 11 floors.
- Steps: There are 281 steps to the clock faces and 334 to the belfry.
- The bell: Big Ben weighs 13.7 tonnes, or roughly 15 US tons.
- The dials: Each clock face is 7 meters (about 23 feet) across.
- The silence: The chimes stopped on August 21, 2017, for conservation work.
- The symbol: The portcullis, Parliament’s emblem, came from the badge of Lady Margaret Beaufort. Barry chose it as his mark.
Here’s a common mix-up. Big Ben isn’t the tower. It’s the nickname of the Great Bell inside, so the tower itself is Elizabeth Tower.
Visiting the Houses of Parliament UK: Tours, Tickets, and Security
Houses of Parliament UK Tour Options and Prices
Prices below are in British pounds, for tours bought from September 1, 2026. So booking ahead is cheaper than paying on the day.
| Tour | Adult price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Guided tour (English) | £40 (£43 on the day) | About 90 minutes. Ages 16 to 24 pay £30, and ages 5 to 15 pay £20. |
| Self-guided audio tour | £31 (£34 on the day) | Ten languages. Go at your own pace. |
| Big Ben tour | £55 | Ages 11 and up. You’ll climb more than 300 steps. |
| Speaker’s House tour | £23 | Best suited to ages 16 and up. |
Children under 5 go free but still need a ticket. UK residents can also get a free 75-minute tour through their local MP, but overseas visitors can’t. You can book online or at the ticket office in Portcullis House, and Parliament’s price page has the latest rates.
Security and What to Bring
Because Parliament uses airport-style screening, expect a wait. The average is up to 30 minutes, or about 45 minutes at busy times such as Monday to Wednesday afternoons. The line starts outside, so dress for the weather.
There’s no cloakroom, and luggage larger than 60 by 40 centimeters (about 24 by 16 inches) isn’t allowed. So leave big bags at your hotel. Knives, scissors, and most open liquids are restricted, though water and baby milk are fine.
Watching a Debate for Free
Watching debates is free for every visitor, including people from overseas. Use the Cromwell Green entrance. The public galleries open Monday to Thursday and on some Fridays, and times vary by House. You don’t need a ticket for general debates, but Prime Minister’s Questions requires one. Expect a queue.
Is the Palace of Westminster Being Restored?
A big project is in the planning stage. The National Audit Office reported on June 15, 2026, that the Palace faces serious risks. It named aging mechanical and electrical systems, fire safety problems, asbestos, and the condition of the historic building.
Both Houses launched the Restoration and Renewal Programme in 2013, and in 2018 Parliament agreed to move out while the work happens. The NAO’s 2026 update says the programme is at a critical stage. Parliament is being asked to narrow four options to two. It’s also being asked to approve a seven-year, £3 billion capped package of early works.
Houses of Parliament UK FAQ
Is Big Ben the same as the Houses of Parliament?
No. The Houses of Parliament is the whole Palace of Westminster. Big Ben is the nickname of the Great Bell, which hangs in Elizabeth Tower. People often call the tower Big Ben too, but it was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012.
How much does a Houses of Parliament tour cost?
For tours bought from September 1, 2026, a guided Houses of Parliament UK tour costs £40 for adults if booked ahead and £43 on the day. The audio tour is £31 in advance, and the Big Ben tour is £55. Young people, children, and UK Armed Forces visitors pay less.
How long does a tour of the Houses of Parliament take?
Parliament lists its English guided tour at 90 minutes. The free tour for UK residents, arranged through a local MP, lasts 75 minutes. The audio tour has no set length because you go at your own pace. Also allow extra time for the security line first.
Can you watch Houses of Parliament UK debates for free?
Yes. Watching debates in the House of Commons or House of Lords is free for all visitors, including those from overseas. Use the Cromwell Green entrance and expect a queue. General debates don’t need a ticket, but Prime Minister’s Questions does.
When were the Houses of Parliament built?
Westminster Hall dates to 1097. The rest of the Palace burned in 1834, and the Gothic Revival rebuild began in 1840 under Charles Barry. Most of it was finished by 1860, and the work was fully complete in 1870, so today’s Palace is a Victorian building.
Plan Your Visit: Key Points and Next Steps
The Houses of Parliament UK is a working legislature, a World Heritage Site, and a tourist stop in one building. Tours run from £23 to £55 for adults, and debates are free. But the security line can take 30 to 45 minutes.
Book a tour on Parliament’s official site before you go, travel light, and arrive early. If tickets sell out, the public galleries are a free way to see the building.
Featured image: Photo by Miguel Joya on Unsplash. In-content image: Photo by Manuele Sangalli on Unsplash.
