Booking information

If anyone in your group has special requirements, mobility issues, additional supervision requirements or any additional information you would like passed on to the delivery team, please tell us advance by emailing engage@parliament.uk.   

We require a minimum adult to pupil ratio of 1:7 (ages 4-7) or 1:15 (ages 7-18), with a maximum of 5 adults per timeslot. More information is available in our FAQs.  The minimum number of visitors per session, including adults, is 12.   

The entrance of Education Centre is in Victoria Tower Gardens (marked “13” on the map) and you will be met by our team. Please allow time to find us and get through the airport-style security checks, ensuring you arrive 5 minutes before your session start time, this may be a change from previous visits.

Your group may be subject to an airport-style security search as you enter the building; be aware that knives, sharp items (save for medical purposes), paint sprays, and items that make noise, such as whistles, are not allowed on the Parliamentary Estate. Please note that your end time above is when your visit will finish in the Education Centre.

When planning your return journey, please allow at least 10 minutes to collect your bags and exit the Parliamentary estate.

Once you have arranged the best way for your group to travel to Parliament we’d encourage you to check if you are eligible for our travel subsidy scheme. Please note that additional help through this scheme became available on 1st April 2024.

If you are eligible for travel subsidy you will be sent a claim form via e-mail shortly after your visit.  

There is no coach drop off points along UK Parliament for security reasons. Details of available coach parking in central London can be found on the Transport for London website.

Our nearest tube and train stations are Victoria Station and Westminster Station. Further information can be found on our FAQs page.

UK Parliament cannot provide you a template for a risk assessment nor allow entry for teachers to do a site visit as part of their risk assessment process. We have a document about “planning a safe visit” here on our website FAQs for visits – Parliament UK Education.

We will inform your group’s local MP that your group are visiting and to invite them to join you at a set time during your visit.

Meeting your MP is subject to their availability in Westminster at the time of your visit and may change at short notice.

MPs and their offices ordinarily confirm directly with us about their availability to meet with your group, but on occasion they may also contact you directly to congratulate you on your booked visit or arrange to meet you on the day.

UK Parliament is a working building and therefore not every visit will be the same. The tour route and availability of rooms to see whilst on tour are subject to parliamentary business and House-sitting times. On rare occasions we may need to cancel visits at short notice due to parliamentary business. Where this is necessary, we will contact you directly to rebook.

If your visit is scheduled during a General Election period, your visit may be cancelled or changed at short notice. We will contact you directly if your visit will be affected.   

Access to facilities is only possible once your group has entered the Education Centre for your visit, and not before or after you have left. There are toilet facilities and accessible facilities in the Education Centre. On the tour route there is a changing places toilet. There are toilet facilities at the opposite end of Victoria Tower Gardens if you require these before or after your visit, and we understand that there is a charge that can be made via contactless payment.

There are also toilets available at Westminster Tube Station. 

If you are visiting for a Tour and Workshop session, the lunch space will be available to your group 30 minutes after the end of your visit. The lunch space is available until 15:30. We cannot amend the time your group has access as another group will be using the lunch space.

If you are visiting for a Film and Tour or a Parliament Palace Tour visit then the lunch space will not be available for your group due to room availability. We are not able to offer any alternative lunch space options but Victoria Tower Gardens may be suitable for packed lunches depending on the weather. 

Please note that your visit will not include a stop at the gift shop. If your students wish to take a souvenir home, these can be pre-ordered online for your group at the Houses of Parliament Gift Shop. Please ensure you state the date and time of your visit, and the name of the lead teacher and school on the order.

The shop requires at least 1 weeks’ notice to process your order.

All souvenirs ordered online will be given to the lead teacher for each group at the end of your visit. All orders made on behalf of schools will be sent to the Education Centre. Alternatively, there is a UK Parliament shop which you can visit outside the parliamentary estate at 12 Bridge Street, off Parliament Square.