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Big Ben Preview Tour Dates and Times

Big ben preview tour.

This guided tour of the Elizabeth Tower takes you up a narrow 334-step spiral stairwell to the Belfry where Big Ben, the Great Bell, hangs. Along the route, your guide will reveal details of the most extensive and complex conservation project in Big Ben’s 160 years. This vital conservation work involved over 500 people from across the UK and their traditional crafts including stone masonry, glass blowing, gilding, plastering, cast iron and clock mechanics. 

On this preview tour you will see the inner workings of the clock mechanism, stand next to the world-famous Big Ben as it strikes the hour and step behind the dials, each spanning 6.9m in diameter. You are also welcome to explore the medieval Westminster Hall after your visit to the Elizabeth Tower.

This limited tour in English is offered at a reduced rate of £10 and is a rare opportunity to see inside the Tower while UK Parliament put the finishing touches on the exhibition elements ahead of the official reopening this summer. The Big Ben preview tour is not suitable for everyone. Visitors must be aged 11 and over and be comfortable climbing 300+ steps and experiencing high noise levels from the clock mechanism and bells - ear defenders will be provided. The total tour duration is 90 minutes and toilet facilities are available at the beginning and end of the tour only. Due to the constraints of the Tower, accessible tours including step-free access are not currently available as part of these preview tours. Sign up to UK Parliament’s newsletter to hear about accessible tour options later in the year. If you have any other questions, please contact [email protected] or visit our website for more information

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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Big Ben & Houses of Parliament in 2024

Big ben and the houses of parliament ultimate guide.

Out of all the London landmarks that can be visited on free walking tours, none are more recognizable or synonymous with the city's culture than the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

The Houses of Parliament and its magnificent clock tower, famously nicknamed “Big Ben,” have been iconic symbols of London for centuries. It's hard to picture London without these two towering over the Thames, stealing the show in every skyline shot.

The Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster (don’t confuse it with the nearby Westminster Abbey – a rookie mistake), was originally built as a royal palace during Henry VIII's reign. In 1547, it became the permanent home of the British Parliament. The current neo-Gothic marvel, designed by Sir Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin, was completed in 1870 after a fire in 1834 wiped out most of the original structure.

Big Ben, now officially named The Elizabeth Tower, sits proudly at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. This 96-meter-high beauty houses the world’s second-largest four-faced chiming clock. The Great Bell, affectionately known as Big Ben, weighs over 13 tonnes and chimes every hour with impeccable precision. Even the Blitz couldn’t silence its iconic ring – the clock mechanism soldiered on through bomb damage during World War II that obliterated the main chamber of the House of Commons.

The Palace of Westminster isn't just about the clock tower, though. It’s home to historic treasures like the 11th-century Westminster Hall, where notable figures such as Guy Fawkes and King Charles I faced trial. Plus, the Victoria Tower houses the Parliamentary Archives, storing records that span over 500 years.

Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament Highlights

Unbeknownst to many visitors admiring its glorious architecture and massive clock tower from the outside, the Palace of Westminster actually serves as a meeting point for British politicians; and if you’re lucky enough, during your visit to London you may even be able to sit in on a House of Commons meeting (for free!).

But that’s not all the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben have to offer. Inside the Palace of Westminster you can see plaques commemorating the trials of William Wallace, Guy Fawkes and Charles I (just to name a few); and the oldest section of the palace (The Hall) is an architectural delight which contains the largest hammer-beamed room in the world.

St. Stephen’s Hall is another famous section inside the Palace of Westminster, which is located at the far end of Westminster Hall. St. Stephen’s Hall was once used as a royal chapel, and some of the most important parliamentary events in British history took place here.

Special Tips

Getting There

Visiting big ben and the houses of parliament, big ben tours:.

This guided tour of the Big Ben (the Elizabeth Tower) takes you up a narrow 334-step spiral stairwell to the belfry where Big Ben, the Great Bell, hangs. Along the route, your guide will reveal details of the most extensive and complex conservation project in the Tower’s history. This vital conservation work involved over 500 people from across the UK and their traditional crafts including stone masonry, glass blowing, gilding, plastering, cast iron and clock mechanics.

On this tour, visitors will see the inner workings of the clock mechanism, stand next to the world-famous Big Ben bell as it strikes the hour, and step behind the dials. Visitors are also welcome to explore medieval Westminster Hall afterwards.

• Child (aged 11-17) £15. Visitors must be aged 11 years and over.

How to book: These highly popular tours tend to sell out on the day of release. Tickets are released three months in advance, on the second Wednesday of every month at 10am. Tickets can only be purchased  online and visitors will be able to book a maximum of eight tickets per person, depending on availability.

Speaker’s House guided tours:

This is a visit of the State Apartments of Speaker’s House , the part of the Palace of Westminster where the Speaker conducts official business and lives. A guide will share the history and traditions of the role of the Speaker and show the artworks on display.

Tour highlights include the Grand Staircase, the Crimson Drawing Room, the State Dining Room, and the State Bedroom.

• Young adult (16-24) £12
• Concessions (UK Armed Forces) £12
• Visitors with a disability can book a free ticket for their essential companion

How to book:  Tours can be booked online or at the ticket office which is at the front of Portcullis House (post code SW1A 2LW).

Self-guided audio tours of the Palace of Westminster:

Using a multimedia device, visitors on this self-guided tour are guided through famous spaces including medieval Westminster Hall, the House of Commons Chamber, House of Lords Chamber, and other spaces. The multimedia device is available in 10 languages -English, British Sign Language, Welsh, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, Russian, and Brazilian Portuguese.

• Adult £26 (£28 on the day)
• Young adult (16-24) £19 (£21 on the day)
• Children under 5 go free but still require a ticket for entry.
• Concessions (UK Armed Forces) £19 (£21 on the day)

*One child free with each full paying adult included in adult and child package.

How to book: Tours can be booked online or at the ticket office which is at the front of Portcullis House (post code SW1A 2LW).

Guided tours of the Palace of Westminster:

Discover the history and work of UK Parliament on guided tour of the Palace of Westminster . Your is offered in English and includes the House of Commons, House of Lords, and Westminster Hall. Your guide will share the history, art, and architecture of the building, as well as giving you an insight into the Houses of Commons and Lords today.

• Adult £33 (£35 on the day)
• Young adult (16-24) £27 (£29 on the day)
• Children under 5 go free but still require a ticket for entry. Please note the guided tour is not recommended for this age group.
• Concessions (UK Armed Forces) £27 (£29 on the day)

Opening times

Parliament recesses for three months over the summer, as well as over the Easter and Christmas holidays. During this time, there are guided tours to both the chambers and various other historic areas, as well as every Saturday any time of the year.

If you are checking out the Big Ben, you might also want to join any of the free London tours  that are available on offer.

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The Complete Guide to London's Big Ben

What to see, how to visit, what to do nearby, tips for visiting.

TangMan Photography/Getty Images

Big Ben is one of London's most iconic sights. Many visitors don't realize that "Big Ben" isn't the name for the ornate clock or the tower but, in fact, the giant bell that rings inside the Elizabeth Tower at the Houses of Parliament. It's over 150 years ago and chimes each hour on the hour, with the sound reverberating through Central London. Big Ben is a memorable attraction for visitors of all ages from countries around the world. It should be included in any London travel itinerary (although it's hard to miss the massive tower and clock when in the British capital). Here's everything you need to know about visiting Big Ben.

The neo-Gothic clock tower, designed by Augustus Pugin and part of Charles Barry's plans for the new Houses of Parliament after a fire destroyed the original, was built in 1859, standing at 315 feet tall. It was originally dubbed the Clock Tower and re-named in 2012 during Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee's celebrations to become the Elizabeth Tower. The four-faced clock features five bells, the biggest of which is Big Ben. It's unclear where the name of the bell comes from, although historians speculate that it may be in tribute to Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw the bell's installation. In 1970, the clock tower was deemed a Grade I listed building, and in 1987 it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In 2017, extensive restoration began on the Elizabeth Tower, which is set to conclude in 2021. The renovations include repairing the tower's roof, adding an elevator into the tower, and updating the clock's lighting. While the bells have been silent during the refurbishment, typically Big Ben chimes every hour on the hour, and the four smaller bells chime on the 15-minute marks. Big Ben is an iconic part of London's New Year's Eve celebrations, with the bell chiming 12 times to bring in the new year. On Remembrance Day, Big Ben's chimes are broadcast nationally to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month and mark the start of two minutes' silence. The bells have also been used historically to mark British monarchs' passing, including King Edward VII.

It's impossible to visit Central London and not see Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower. It's visible from various points throughout the city and from viewing attractions like the London Eye and Sky Garden. Some of the best glimpses of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament can be found from Westminster Bridge, Parliament Square, and across the Thames on the Albert Embankment. It's fun to see during the day and at night when the building, clock, and tower are illuminated.

Big Ben is connected to the Houses of Parliament and located across from Westminster Abbey, both of which can be included in your visit to see the massive clock and its bells. Look for the famed statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square, and don't miss the quiet Victoria Tower Gardens South around the corner for a respite from the crowds and a nice view of the river.

Sebastian Condrea

Currently, a visit to Big Ben only involves seeing the tower and clock from its exterior. Visits inside the tower have been paused during the four-year refurbishment, although they are set to resume once the works have finished (and you can still tour the Houses of Parliament in the meantime). The best way to see Big Ben is to walk across Westminster Bridge and around to Parliament Square to get a glimpse of all sides of the clock. There are great viewpoints in Parliament Square, including on the north side, where you'll find a few red phone booths that make for great photo opportunities with Big Ben in the background.

Parliament Square and Big Ben can be accessed on several London bus and tube lines. The Westminster Tube station is directly across the road from Big Ben, and visitors can access that station on the Jubilee, District, and Circle lines. Westminster Pier is adjacent to Big Ben, and there are several river tours and boat services that go past the Houses of Parliament and stop at the pier, which can be a unique way to see London's sights. Look for Thames River Boats or City Cruises . The beloved Big Bus Tours also stop in Parliament Square and offer hop-on-hop-off tours of the area.

Ashmieke Creations/Getty Images

Because Big Ben is located smack in the middle of London, there's a lot to see and do nearby. Westminster Abbey, found across Parliament Square, is open to visitors and offers guided tours, and the Houses of Parliament allow people to book guided tours of the government building. The Churchill War Rooms, St. James Park, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and The National Gallery are all a short walk from Big Ben, and nearby Covent Garden is filled with restaurants, shops, and cafes. Across Westminster Bridge, travelers can find the London Eye, the SEA LIFE Centre London Aquarium, and the Tate Modern. The Tate Britain, one of London's best museums, is a short walk south of Parliament Square along the Thames' north side.

• Parliament Square can get extremely crowded with tourists during the summer and on holiday weekends, making it difficult to get a good photo. Try to arrive early in the morning on a weekday to avoid the crowds. Crossing the river to the Albert Embankment is also a great way to see Big Ben without throngs of people. Look for benches that overlook the river with amazing views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
• For an aerial view of Big Ben and the surrounding sights, head to one of London's viewing platforms, which can be found around the city. Sky Garden offers free tickets to its 37th-floor indoor garden, which has 360-views of London, and The Shard has viewing platforms on floors 68, 69, and 72 for paid ticket holders.
• Don't get sucked into one of the touristy restaurants near Parliament Square. Instead, look for iconic diner The Regency Cafe, Indian eatery The Cinnamon Club, or old school pub The Windsor Castle. There is a Starbucks a few blocks west of Parliament Square for those who need a familiar pick-me-up.
• Public toilets can be found in St. James' Park near Horseguards Parade. Some public toilets require an entry fee of 20 pence, which can now be paid with a contactless credit card.

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Tours of Big Ben in London Reopen to Foreigners: How to Book

By Jason Cochran

06/14/2023, 10:00 AM

Big Ben is one of the most famous bells in the world, hanging in one of the most recognizable towers in the world, high above the Houses of Parliament in central London .

But since 2010 , the only visitors who have been permitted to tour the landmark have been British citizens. For security's sake, a regulation required Big Ben tour-seekers to write their representatives in Parliament—and of course international visitors don't have any. 

That's been particularly unfair for Americans because Big Ben is actually a cousin of Philadelphia's Liberty Bell. Although far apart in size and age, both were cast in the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in East London. (Big Ben cracked, too, which wasn't uncommon for such big ringers—but it was repaired.)

Now, following a lengthy and thorough restoration  that renewed Big Ben once again, visitors to London are ringing in a new era.

Big Ben tours have finally been made available to foreigners. 

The guided tours will start in July. The U.K. Parliament, which will oversee the tours, describes the experience this way:

"On this tour, you will see the inner workings of the clock mechanism, stand next to the world-famous Big Ben bell as it strikes the hour, and step behind the dials each spanning 6.9m [22.6 ft.] in diameter. ... Visitors must be aged 11 and over and be comfortable climbing 334 steps unaided and able to sustain moderate physical exertion for up to 90 minutes. You will experience high noise levels from the clock mechanism and bells—ear defenders [ear plugs] will be provided."

Did you catch that? Big Ben is the name of the bell, not the building. That's actually named the Elizabeth Tower. Maybe knowing that tidbit will help you win your next pub quiz.

Admission for the tour is £25 (US$31.60) for adults and £10 ($12.64) for children ages 11–17. Admission includes a visit to Westminster Hall , the cavernous, millennium-old room where Queen Elizabeth II lay in state before her funeral. 

The first batch of tickets, for July 3 to the end of September, went on sale this week at Parliament.UK . They are already sold out. 

The next batch of tickets will go on sale at 10am London time on July 12. New tickets will be released at 10am London time on the second Wednesday of every month for the foreseeable future.

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Behind the Scenes Tour of Big Ben – Review and Tips

Big Ben, or more accurately the Elizabeth Tower, is one of London’s most famous landmarks. Recognisable all over the world, it’s one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations.

Have you ever wondered though what it’s like to go inside? What would it be like to experience climbing to the top and standing next to the bells as they ring? I took one of the behind-the-scenes tours recently to find out!

How to book a Big Ben tour

Climbing the elizabeth tower, big ben in action, behind the dials, is it worth doing a big ben tour, houses of parliament tour, all you need to know.

Until quite recently, getting a tour inside Big Ben was only available to UK residents. It also took some effort to arrange. However, since the project to renovate Big Ben was completed in 2023, Big Ben is now open to the public.

Tickets for the Big Ben tour can be booked online directly from the UK Parliament website . These can be booked by anyone, and are available to non-UK residents as well. Because of this they sell out very quickly and you do need to book some time in advance.

Tickets are released to the public on the second Wednesday of every month at 10:00am UK time. The slots are offered for tours scheduled for 3 months ahead, so if you book in December, you’ll get slots in March. There are up to 6 tours a day, with the earliest starting at 9:45 a.m. and the latest at 4:45 p.m. If you can see dates showing as available but you see a request for a voucher code, it means this date/time isn’t available to the public.

Tickets sell out within minutes, so you need to be quick. Also quite often a time slot will show availability but tickets will be sold out when you select it. I assume this is because people have tickets in their basket while they check out. It’s worth persevering though as sometimes these slots will show availability again after a few minutes.

Tickets cost £30 for an adult and £15 for a child aged 11 to 17. Children under the age of 11 are not permitted.

The link to book tickets is here .

The Big Ben tour

It’s recommended that you arrive at least 30 minutes before the start time of your tour.

When you arrive at the Houses of Parliament, you’re first allocated a visitor’s pass. Next is the airport-style security checks. Depending on how busy it is, it can take up to 30-45 minutes to go through security. The queue starts outside the building, so bear this in mind if it’s wet or cold. You can read more about what items are restricted here .

Once you pass through security, you are directed into the enormous Westminster Hall where you check in to the tour. Look out for the Big Ben Tour banner to make sure you’re in the right spot. Here you’ll also be asked to put your belongings into a locker. Photos aren’t allowed on the tour, so you’ll have to leave cameras and phones behind too.

Toilets are available at the start and end of the tour in Westminster Hall, but there aren’t any inside the tower itself. There’s also a gift shop there too selling a selection of souvenirs. This closes at 5:30 p.m. so bear this in mind if you’re on one of the later tours as it will be closed by the time the tour finishes.

The Big Ben tours are limited to a maximum of around 15 or 16 people, so although it’s not particularly spacious inside the tower, it doesn’t feel that crowded.

Once everyone is gathered and signed in, the guide leads your group across the courtyard outside towards the tower. You then walk through an innocuous looking wooden door next to a small road. This is the one and only entrance to the Elizabeth tower.

The tour begins in a small room just inside the entrance to the tower. Once everyone is seated, the guide gives some details about what you’ll be seeing on the tour.

Once the introduction is done, the tour begins and you start climbing.

You’ll be climbing a lot of stairs, so it’s advisable to wear sensible shoes. There are 334 in total to the top of the tower. Don’t worry though – the climb is done in stages so you do get a chance to recover. Unlike the uneven stairs you find in some old towers, the stairs in the Elizabeth Tower are easy to climb. There’s also a solid handrail to assist if needed.

Once you reach the first stage, after climbing 114 of the 334 steps, you’re able to sit down and catch your breath. Here the guide tells you some facts about Big Ben.

Then it’s back to the stairs, and you head up a few more stories to the 4 th stage. Here you get to sit down again and learn more facts about how Big Ben was designed and built.

The next stop is after 290 steps and is one of the highlights. This is the Mechanism room where you get to see the heart of Big Ben. It’s an impressive sight, looking at this complex system of cogs and steel ropes ticking away and moving almost imperceptibly. The tour is timed so that you’ll be in there when the bells ring at 45 minutes past the hour, and you get to see the mechanism in action. You may also get to see one of the old pennies used to keep the clock in time.

It’s quite an experience to see and feel the clock in action. As the bells ring, there’s a lot of mechanical clanking and whirring and you can feel the vibrations through the floor.

You’re almost at the top of the tower now, and after climbing another 40 or so stairs you enter the Belfry. This is a pretty special moment! You’re now within touching distance of the 5 bells, including the 13-ton bell known as Big Ben. At this point you need to put in your ear plugs (handed out earlier on the tour) as you are just moments away from the bells ringing on the hour.

It’s an incredible experience to see the hammers strike the bells, and feel and hear them ring. It’s very loud, and you can feel the vibrations through your whole body as the bells ring out across London.

The tour then moves down a couple of stories and the next stop is a walk behind the four clock faces. This tour literally does take you behind the scenes.

After this, you begin the descent back down the stairs although there’s one final stop on the way down. At this stop on the second floor you’ll get to find out more about the restoration as well as giving your legs a chance to recover.

Overall, it’s an amazing experience and if you’re lucky enough to be able to get tickets I’d definitely recommend it. The tour takes about 90 minutes and is timed so you’ll be right in the middle of things when the bells ring. As well as seeing behind the scenes of this iconic London landmark, you’ll also get to learn about the history of the tower and its recent restoration.

Tip – if you want to get the most bongs for your buck, try to book a morning tour. You’ll get to experience 10 or 11 bongs instead of 1 or 2 if you book early afternoon.

Once you get back to Westminster Hall, you’re able to swap your security pass for another one that allows you to explore some of the Houses of Parliament. You can even watch a debate from the public viewing gallery if parliament is in session. If you have the time it’s well worth having a wander even if you aren’t booked on a Houses of Parliament tour.

Dates : Book 3 months in advance online Times : 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. depending on availability Nearest Station : Westminster Cost : £30 (adult), £15 (child aged 11 or over) Tour Duration : 90 minutes

About the Author

An award-winning travel and landscape photographer from London.

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