Visiting Parliment when in London
 

Our famly would like to tour/visit parliment while it is session. How do we make advance arrangements. Any information would be very helpful.

Meg, it's spelt Parliament, with a second "a". If you type tour parliament into the search box, there was a quite extensive thread about this subject, including a link to the website, about 3 weeks ago.

www.parliament.uk

I understand that visits have been discontinued for security reasons, but the website should have all the details.

We arrived in London on March 20th, the day after the bombing began. Before we left we were under the impression that we would not be allowed into parliament, however, we were able to sit in the visitors' gallery after a walking tour. We were all frisked, had to sign a paper promising not to interupt, and checked our belongings before we were allowed to enter. It was a great experience. [I would recommend both the walking tour, "Westminster by Gaslight" and visiting Parliament.]

Unfortunately, non-UK residents can no longer tour Parliament, except during the annual summer opening. Non-residents can sometimes sit in the "Strangers Gallery", on a first-come basis, and look down on Parliamentary proceedings.

Here's the link for complete info:

http://www.parliament.uk./visiting/visiting.cfm

Hope this helps.

David White
http://www.KidsToLondon.com

If you know a Parliamentarian or staff member they can give you a private tour. Is that an option?

Hi, Meg,

You might try contacting the US Embassy in London, as they might be able to get you a pass to get into a session of the House of Commons without having to queue outside for it. That might also allow you to get in to see Question Time with the Prime Minister (now noon-12:30 every Wednesday, I believe). Well worth seeing.

As the above poster noted, if you know or can get access to an MP (Member of Parliament), you should be able to see more. (I was lucky enough to be an MP's guest in the early 1990s: got a brief tour, had lunch in the dining room at the House of Commons and then went to the Prime Minister's Question Time in Commons. All fascinating stuff!

Good luck and happy travels.

John H.

What was the name of that movie with the delightfully insane actor portraying a member of the House of Lords? He slept on a crucifix every night. Peter Otool?
It must be 30 years ago, but I remember it vaugely.

icithecat,

The movie you're thinking of is The Ruling Class, which came out in 1972 and did (as you remembered) star Peter O'Toole.