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Houses of Parliament

Houses of Parliament: Our most recommended tours and activities

London: Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise

1. London: Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise

Admire the views of London's most iconic sights with a cruise on the River Thames. Cruise to Greenwich to see London's historical sights from the River Thames. Journey past iconic sights such as the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, and the Tate Modern. Choose between either a one-way or round-trip journey, with skip-the-line entry, and avoid the queues at the ticket office as you go straight to board the boat. Listen to the downloadable audio commentary on your smartphone as you enjoy the comfort of a modern but traditional vessel. Admire the pyramid structure of The Shard and see other monuments from London's historic waterway. Head to the open deck for panoramic views of London's landmarks. Stop at Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, and Tower Bridge Quay before arriving at Greenwich Pier. Feel free to explore the charms of Greenwich on your own terms, and see sights such as Greenwich Market, the Cutty Sark, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich Park, and the Royal Observatory which are all within easy walking distance from the pier.

London: Westminster Walking Tour with Churchill’s War Rooms

2. London: Westminster Walking Tour with Churchill’s War Rooms

Explore the World War II history of London’s Westminster district and discover the secret bunker that Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his government used during the German bombing campaigns. Home to undercover and often underground bases for governments in exile, Westminster suffered especially badly during the blitz and was awash with espionage. Your unique tour starts with a walk around some of London’s most historic sites, such as 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. End at the Cenotaph, built as a memorial to the First World War and now the UK’s primary national war memorial. Along the way, see the statue of Sir Winston Churchill and the monument to the Women of World War II, hear about governments and monarchs that were forced into exile in London as Germany overtook the nations of Europe and more. Then, it’s time to head to the wartime bunker of the Churchill War Rooms. Tour the Churchill Museum and learn about the maze of underground rooms that were used to plot and plan war strategies. Although your guide will not accompany you inside, you'll be able to browse the War Rooms at your leisure and hear fascinating facts from your audio guide as you wander round. Experience what life was like for those that worked in the dark rooms and how they deciphered enemy communications and created maps of the army’s movements. Learn about the primitive sun lamps that were used to get sufficient levels of vitamin D and how even the families of those that worked there couldn't know what they did for a living. Explore the legacy of Sir Winston Churchill and hear authentic audio of his inspiring wartime speeches. Discover fascinating stories about Churchill’s private and public life, from his love of his wife to his special relationship with President Roosevelt. You’ll even see the original door to 10 Downing Street that he walked through after becoming prime minister. The war rooms have been preserved exactly as they were on the day the lights were switched off in 1945, with signs that indicated the weather outside. As you venture deeper into the labyrinth, discover how life continued underground, from top-secret conversations between Churchill and Roosevelt in the Transatlantic Telephone Room, to simple domestic concerns in Churchill’s kitchen.

London: Tootbus London Discovery Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

3. London: Tootbus London Discovery Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Experience the best of London in just one day with the Tootbus London Discovery tour. Board an open-top bus that takes you around the city, providing breathtaking views of top landmarks including the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, and more. You'll also see the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, St. James Palace, and other London highlights. Use the bus ride to make a hit list of places you want to explore, and then hop off at the nearest bus stop to delve deeper into each location. You could see the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, or climb the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral.  Food lovers can visit Borough Market, one of the best food markets in London, while those looking for a fun night out can head to Soho or take a ride on the London Eye. Enjoy an easy way to get from one landmark to another while audio commentary guides you across the city and gives you insights. If you're traveling with children, don't miss the child-friendly audio channel available in English and French, which will keep them entertained throughout the tour. Your ticket is valid for 24 or 48 hours, depending on the option you choose, and you can hop on and off the bus an unlimited number of times during the validity period. So, come and explore the best of London on this hop-on hop-off bus tour.

London: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing-Tour

4. London: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing-Tour

Explore London on a convenient hop-on hop-off bus tour. Learn about the city's history, culture, and architecture from onboard audio commentary and enjoy the panoramic views offered by the open-topped bus. Your ticket also includes a shuttle service route. Visit all of London's most important sights on a bus route with 36 stops, starting at Grosvenor Gardens and ending at Buckingham Palace. See Queen Elizabeth Gate in Hyde Park and the Thames Embankment. Travel across Westminster Bridge and catch a glimpse of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and the London Eye. See St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and Tower Bridge. Experience the glitz and glamour of London's West End as your tour bus heads to Leicester Square and finally, head to Buckingham Palace, the principal royal residence. Enjoy the flexibility of exploring the sights at your own pace. You can hop off at any of the 36 stops along 3 routes and explore the nearby sights. Purchase a 24, 48, or 72-hour ticket and enjoy a free cruise along the River Thames between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier. Pass under some of the city's most famous bridges and see London from the water. Red Route Bus Stops: Belvedere Road Aldwych (One Aldwych Hotel) Ludgate Hill (St Paul's Cathedral) Queen Victoria Street (The City) London Bridge Tooley Street (Tower Bridge) Tower Hill (Tower of London) Victoria Embankment Westminster Bridge (Big Ben) Horseferry Road Buckingham Gate (Buckingham Palace) - closed until further notice Buckingham Palace Road (Victoria Station) Buckingham Palace Road, Stop Z12 Grosvenor Gardens Queen Elizabeth Gate, Hyde Park Marble Arch (Speakers Corner) Marble Arch (Park Lane) Haymarket Pall Mall East (Trafalgar Square) Westminster Bridge (South) Green Route - Shuttle Service Belvedere Road, Stand 3788, behind the London Eye Aldwych, outside One Aldwych Hotel Southampton Row, Stop Y, for the British Museum Woburn Place, Stop H outside the Royal National Hotel Bedford Way, Stop BP 4580, behind the Royal National Hotel Southampton Row, Stop B, for the City Sightseeing shop and information center Lancaster Place, Somerset House, Stop B Blue Route Bus Stops: Marble Arch (Park Lane) Knightsbridge Royal Albert Hall Kensington Road Gloucester Road Victoria and Albert Museum Harrods Queen Elizabeth Gate, Hyde Park Marble Arch (Speakers' Corner)

London: London Eye, Big Bus and Thames River Cruise

5. London: London Eye, Big Bus and Thames River Cruise

Discover the best of London with a hop-on, hop-off tour onboard an open-top, double-decker bus and enjoy a trip on the London Eye as part of your ticket. Enjoy a relaxing river cruise along the Thames as part of your ticket as well. A hop-on, hop-off tour is the ideal way to discover the best sights, landmarks, and attractions of London at your own pace. The tour gives you unlimited use, with stops strategically placed at all the places you would like to visit including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, and St Paul's Cathedral. Hop off the bus at Westminster Bridge to take an unforgettable ride on the London Eye. From the top, you can take in the breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the city's impressive skyline. See the city's most famous sights including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from an unrivaled bird's eye view. You can start your tour at any of the Big Bus stops. Popular starting points include the London Eye, Marble Arch, Victoria Station, and Trafalgar Square. With all ticket types, you can enjoy a boat cruise along the River Thames. A Classic ticket includes a single river cruise between the Tower of London to Westminster Pier (in either direction). Big Bus route highlights include: Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, London Eye, London Dungeon, Sea Life London Aquarium, Madame Tussauds, Covent Garden, Bank of England, Monument, St Pauls Cathedral, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, The Shard, City Hall, Lambeth Palace, British Museum, Marble Arch, Mayfair, Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, Harrods, South Kensington Museums, Kensington Palace and Notting Hill.

London: Guided Tour of Houses of Parliament & Westminster

6. London: Guided Tour of Houses of Parliament & Westminster

Explore inside Westminster Abbey, location of Royal Coronations since 1066 and the venue of no less than 16 Royal Weddings including Prince William and Kate Middleton. Then, discover The Houses of Parliament. Enjoy a guided tour of the British Democracy with a qualified, Blue Badge tour guide, instead of following the audioguide. Visit the Chamber of the House of Commons, where Britain’s elected Masters of Parliament meet. Head over to the chamber of the House of Lords, where peers who had inherited their titles from the bluest bloodlines in the nation used to sit. Learn the highlights of the building’s history, including a failed bomb plot in 1605 that the British still celebrate today (ever hear of Guy Fawkes Night?) Walk in the footsteps of Henry VIII and Winston Churchill. History, legend, lore, and a lot of pomp and circumstance mix and mingle as you take in nearly one thousand years of history from one of the best guides in London.

London: River Thames Dinner Cruise

7. London: River Thames Dinner Cruise

Take a leisurely evening cruise through the heart of London to see its famous sights illuminated at night. In the summer, there is the added delight of watching the sun set from the water before the lights come alive! The 3-hour cruise from Westminster to the Thames Barrier and back starts with a welcome drink when you board. Follow your cocktail with a delicious 4-course dinner, plus entertainment from a live singer. This dinner cruise from the heart of London combines a great meal with cabaret and dancing. Sail past the modern landmarks of the O2 Arena, Canary Wharf, and City Hall, and continue as far as the monumental Thames Barrier flood defense before turning back to the Houses of Parliament. By the time darkness falls, dinner gives way to a cabaret singer performing tunes from West End Shows both past and present, along with other popular music. Although dancing is encouraged during and after the cabaret performance, if you prefer you can sit back and simply enjoy the music and floodlit sights. The cruise ends at the original starting point. A celebration fit for a King From Monday 17th April - Monday 8th May, City Cruises will be celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III. Expect decorated boats, special Royal-themed deserts, activities for children and more. Join us to mark this significant moment in UK history!

London: Big Bus Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

8. London: Big Bus Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

Discover what London has to offer on a hop-on hop-off tour of the English capital. Pass iconic landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, London Eye, and Big Ben with audio commentary available on board (earbuds provided). Choose between a 24-hour ticket and a 48-hour ticket and discover London via 3 specially-designed routes covering over 45 stops: Red Route The Red route takes in the best of historic London including Big Ben, the London Eye, and St Paul’s Cathedral. Blue Route The Blue Route is a comprehensive route covering all of central London from Kensington Palace in the West to the Tower of London in the East. Stops include Harrods, the South Kensington Museums, and Madame Tussauds. Green Route The Green Route links the beautiful, regenerated area of St Pancras and King’s Cross with the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden making its way through Bloomsbury en route. Thames River Cruise Your ticket includes a 1-way river cruise from the Tower of London to Westminster in either direction. The river cruise includes live commentary in 8 languages. See top London attractions lining the Thames, including Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, Shakespeare's Globe, and the Tate Modern. Departure times for the river cruise are approximately every 45 minutes. Panoramic Evening Tour Choose the option that includes a panoramic evening tour and discover the magic of London as the city becomes illuminated in the evening. Hop on for a one-round panoramic tour past London's top landmarks as the sun begins to set.

London: Westminster Abbey Guided Tour (optional Parliament)

9. London: Westminster Abbey Guided Tour (optional Parliament)

Visit one of the must-see sites while visiting London with a guided tour of Westminster Abbey. opt for a private or shared tour and choose to upgrade your experience by adding a visit to the Houses of Parliament to your itinerary. Meet your guide and set out to explore the interior of the historic monument of Westminster Abbey. Stand in the footsteps of kings and queens and see where all coronations of English and British monarchs have been held, as well as where many royal weddings have taken place. Then, take a panoramic tour around the Houses of Parliament and pass the Elizabeth Tower where the famous Big Ben bell chimes every quarter hour. As you walk, admire the ostentatious façades with golden spires and statues of kings that reflect in the River Thames. Learn about the role of the people working at the House of Commons and the function of the House of Lords, and understand how, and why, the Elizabeth Tower and its great clock and iconic bell were built.  Listen to your guide explain the history of the building, from the first medieval clock tower built in the old Palace of Westminster to the design and construction of the present Elizabeth Tower. For a more complete experience, select the option that includes a ticket to the Parliament and tour the inside of the building with an audio guide.

London: Westminster and Changing of the Guard Tour

10. London: Westminster and Changing of the Guard Tour

The Royal Westminster and Changing of the Guard guided walking tour offers you the ability to get up close and personal with London’s most famous and impressive sights. Beginning with Buckingham Palace, the most famous residence of the King, we will explore the iconic buildings, parks and monuments of Royal London.  Witness parades by the world-famous King's Guards before continuing along the corridor of power which includes Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and 10 Downing Street.  You'll be led by an expert in London’s political, royal, and cultural history, who knows the best places to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony, allowing you the best views and photo opportunities away from the crowds. Along the way, be entertained and enthralled by your tour guide’s in-depth knowledge, memorable anecdotes, and unique take on London's history, as you discover the Kings, Queens, rogues, and villains behind this incredible city, and witness iconic buildings and mesmerizing parades along the way. Suitable for all ages and encompassing multiple different experiences in a single two-and-a-quarter-hour period, this Westminster and Changing of the Guard Walking Tour is the best way to experience Royal Westminster all in one day. 

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Other Sightseeing Options in Houses of Parliament

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What people are saying about Houses of Parliament

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 21,631 reviews

Incredible! It was completely worth it, a very good and quite impressive experience. The cruise staff were quite friendly and they give you a guided tour. It was good to know from previous reviews that the cruise only covers one leg so we took the cruise to the London Eye and waited for our reservation time right there. Once the London Eye loop was over (amazing btw) we got on the bus around 3pm and used the bus until 5pm when the routes ran out, and still got up early and continued to use the bus the next day. (The bus lasts 24 hours, so we visited several places using the time we had left.) I highly recommend downloading the Big bus app to be able to see the routes and buses in real time. Incredible experience, we were 4 people

Our guide Connor was very friendly and entertaining. We learned a lot. We made sure to pick a day the Changing of the Guard was confirmed to take place on the schedule. Check here - https://changing-guard.com/dates-buckingham-palace.html . We got the Scotch Guard so the bagpipes were a' blazing. Got to hear Big Ben toll. Westminster Abbey at the end was amazing and unexpectedly there are a lot of royals buried inside in tombs and under your feet. Overall, it's worth the money.

The tour guide was so informative and funny - making it fascinating to be told all the facts as we passed the many landmarks. I honestly think his cockney commentary made the trip!! In one tour - we got to see and learn so much about London. Thankfully we had lovely weather and we all thoroughly enjoyed our excursion to Greenwich.

Our guide, Johnny, was awesome. We were late and told by the company that we would not be able to find him. However, God smiled upon us and we stumbled upon the group. He was great! So knowledgeable and fun!

Our tour was a great experience. Our guide was knowledgeable, experienced and entertaining. Highly recommend this tour.