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How To Visit the U.K. Parliament in 2024: Tickets, Hours, and Tours

Eddie Saint-Jean Last Updated: April 30, 2024

The U.K. Parliament in London has a fascinating history dating back to 1215 when disgruntled barons made King John sign the Magna Carta making him subject to the rule of law. This paved the way for the beginnings of Parliament in 1265 under Simon De Montfort. Getting into the Houses of Parliament is not straightforward, so we’ve put together this guide to help you plan. Here’s how to visit the U.K. Parliament.

Pro Tip:  Planning what to do on your trip to London? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Check out our  guide to London  for more planning resources, our  top London tours  for a memorable trip, and the  top things to do in London .

Visiting the U.K. Parliament: What We’ll Cover

The U.K. Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster, has a long history with many interesting traditions that are still maintained today. The popular Guy Fawkes Day originates from events that took place here in 1605 when the Catholic zealot Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

While it is possible to visit the Houses of Parliament, you cannot simply walk in and wander around due to strict security. In this guide, discover what you need to know to visit the U.K. Parliament. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Opening hours and tickets
• How much time to budget for your visit
• What to see at the U.K. Parliament
• Facts and history of the U.K. Parliament
• Places to eat nearby

U.K. Parliament Opening Hours and Tickets

Despite its high-profile politicians and tight security, visitors are allowed inside Parliament for specific purposes: guided tours, certainly, as well as Committee Room events, parliamentary debates, or Prime Minister’s Questions. But its high security means you cannot just wander around unguided or without a specific invite or ticket.

Opening Hours:

The U.K. Parliament or Palace of Westminster is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.

You have a choice of guided tours and multimedia tours. Multimedia tours allow you up to 90 minutes inside Parliament buildings using their audio guides. The guided tours last 75 minutes. All tours mostly take place on weekdays and Saturdays.

There are 3 tours you can pick from:

Speaker’s House Tour

If you’re curious about the role of the Speaker of the House, the highest authority of the House of Commons, , this tour is for you. . You’ll have the opportunity to visit the State Apartments of Speaker’s House, where official business is conducted and the Speaker resides.

Ticket Prices: The Speaker’s House Tour costs £20 for Adults, while Young Adults (16 – 18 years old) pay £12. Concessions (Over-6os, students, and U.K. Armed Forces) are £12.

Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Palace of Westminster

Ideal for independent explorers, this tour offers a self-paced experience. With the multimedia device as your guide, you’ll navigate renowned areas like medieval Westminster Hall, the renowned House of Commons Chamber, majestic House of Lords Chamber, and other iconic spaces.

Ticket Prices: Adults £26 (£28 on the day), Young adults (16-24) £19 (£21 on the day), Children (5-15) free (£9* on the day), Concessions (UK Armed Forces) £19 (£21 on the day), and free tickets available for visitors with disabilities and their essential companions

Guided Tours of the Palace of Westminster

Explore the rich history and function of the UK Parliament with an expert guide. You’ll explore the House of Commons, House of Lords, and Westminster Hall and learn about the captivating history, art, and architecture, as well as gaining insights into the current workings of the Houses of Commons and Lords.

Ticket Prices: The guided tour costs £33 for adults (£35 on the day), £27 (£29 on the day) for young adults (16-24), £17 (£19 on the day) for children. Concessions (UK Armed Forces) £27 (£29 on the day), and visitors with a disability can book a free ticket for their essential companion.

Also, access is more likely during Easter, summer, and Christmas, when Parliament is not in session. Still, visits are allowed at selected times even when Parliament is in session. You can book time slots for either multimedia or guided tours as long as they are between 9 am and 4:15 pm.

Contact the ticket offices at Portcullis House, Victoria Embankment for further information on guided tours in French, Spanish, Italian, and German, all of which are available on selected dates. 

Visits Without Tours:

There are three options. Firstly, you can watch the Prime Minister’s Questions or Minister’s Questions without a guide. These take place in the House of Commons and House of Lords.

Secondly, you can see a parliamentary debate or a committee at work. Thirdly, there are parliamentary talks, events, petitions, and Private Members’ Bills where visitors are permitted.

Address: Palace of Westminster

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How Long To Spend at the U.K. Parliament

Short answer: 75 minutes for a guided tour; 90 minutes for the multimedia tour.

Your tour includes visits to the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and Westminster Hall. This talk covers the history of the building, the creation of Parliament, and the democratic and legislative processes within Parliament today. Since both tours are for set times, you’re unlikely to run over.

However, if you’re attending a separate ticketed parliamentary event, it all depends on the times for the event itself.

What To See in and Near the U.K. Parliament 

• Commons Chamber: Prime Minister’s Question Time, Parliamentary debates
• The Lords Chamber: Question Time, Debates, and Legislation Work
• The House of Lords Committee Rooms: Select Committee work
• The Parliamentary Archives 
• The Churchill Arch
• Statues in the Palace
• The Speaker’s Chair
• The Royal Gallery
• Central Lobby
• The Cloisters
• Parliament Square (includes statues of Nelson Mandela, Ghandi, and Winston Churchill)
• Auguste Rodin’s sculpture The Burghers of Calais (in Victoria Tower Gardens, next to Parliament)

Facts and History of the U.K. Parliament

• The Houses of Parliament are also known as the Palace of Westminster. 
• Westminster Hall was built in 1097 by William II, son of William the Conqueror. It was the biggest and grandest hall in Europe at that time. It’s the oldest building in the Houses of Parliament.
• The first English Parliament was held in 1265, when French nobleman Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, led a group of rebellious barons seeking representational democracy and the curbing of Henry III’s absolute power. 
• The medieval parliament burned down in 1834. The fire destroyed most of the Palace of Westminster. 
• Oliver Cromwell was sworn in as Lord Protector in Westminster Hall. He was anti-royal but was sworn in wearing regal-looking robes. 
• In 1605, a zealot Catholic called Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. He was caught in the House of Lords basement with barrels of gunpowder.
• The Queen is banned from the House of Commons. This convention was introduced in 1642 after King Charles I entered the Commons with soldiers to try and arrest five MPs for treason.
• A parliamentary official with the title Black Rod has the Commons door ceremoniously slammed in his face before the Queen’s Speech. After this ritual, he bangs on the door three times with his rod. This traditional act occurs when he summons MPs from the Commons Chambers to hear the Queen’s Speech. The slamming of the door represents the independence of the Commons.

Places To Eat Nearby

There’s a café in the Palace of Westminster. But you’re just as likely to find healthy, filling snacks and meals—and perhaps rub shoulders with politicians—in the nearby cafés and restaurants. For more options, check out the full list of best restaurants nearby .

Jubilee Café : £££ | Coffee Shop —This café in Westminster Hall has a selection of snacks, paninis, and sandwiches, plus pastries, sweets, and cakes. The quaint English Jubilee cream tea is a visitor favourite, but there’s also barista coffee and other beverages.

Riverside Café : ££ | River Views —This is a short but soul-lifting walk through parklands known as Victory Tower Gardens, and then over Lambeth Bridge. The café has the best views of Parliament and the Thames river compared to other eateries in the area. It serves a full English Breakfast, of course, as well as pizza, burgers, baguettes, salads, and hot and cold beverages.

The Cinnamon Club : £££+ | Former Victorian Library —There’s an elegant and exclusive atmosphere to this classy Indian restaurant. The curry, seafood, and soup dishes have a gourmet touch. Traditional English game such as venison is served in an artisanal Indian culinary style. There are a few menu surprises, too, like snake!

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Posted on 14th June 2023 Categories Things to do

By: Author Julianna Barnaby

Want to Visit the Houses of Parliament on a Tour? Here’s How…

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Planning to visit the Houses of Parliament and not sure where to start? Check out this step by step guide to the types of tours, ticket prices and what to expect before you go. 

The Houses of Parliament are more than just an iconic London landmark. They function as the heart of British power. 

Set in the Palace of Westminster, a Victorian Neo-Gothic affair on the banks of the Thames, the 1000+ rooms of the palace count among them two of the most important locations in UK politics – the House of Commons and House of Lords. 

Little wonder then that visiting the Houses of Parliament is one of the first things that people think of when visiting London. 

Who wouldn’t want to take a peek at the innards of authority, the place where decisions that shape the lives of British citizens are made on a daily basis? We certainly did for sure. 

Having taken a Houses of Parliament tour previously, we can honestly say that it is one of the most fascinating things we’ve done in London full stop. This coming from a team that spends a lot of time researching and writing about London, and who’s as reticent to give out high praise as Scrooge was to give out money before his Christmas Carol transformation. 

In other words – you should totally go. 

The difficult thing is knowing where to start. That’s why we’ve written this guide to walk you through the options for visiting with and without a tour, the different kinds of Houses of Parliament tours available, where to get tickets and what to expect when you do. 

Do I Have to Book a Tour to Visit the Houses of Parliament? 

Usually, no. But it’s best to book in advance or you risk being turned away. 

There are several ways that you can usually visit the Houses of Parliament without booking a tour – the main ones are: 

• Watch a debate or a committee

Watch Prime Minister’s Questions 

• Watch Minister’s Question Times in the House of Commons or House of Lords 
• Book onto one of Parliament’s special events or talks.

You do not have to book tickets for the first three, although it is advisable to book tickets for Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) as it is very popular and you are not guaranteed entry without a ticket. 

We will go into more detail on each of these in the section “Visiting the Houses of Parliament Without a Tour” below if you want to know more info but we thought it was worth dealing with the tours first as this is what we’ve been asked most questions about.

Choosing Which Houses of Parliament Tour to Book 

There are several different types of Houses of Parliament tour that you could go on – we’ve given you a breakdown of each of them as well as options for how to get your hands on tickets and (where relevant) lead times for each.

Houses of Parliament Guided Tour

This is a 90-minute guided tour of the Houses of Parliament for which you have to pay. 

The tours are usually held on weekdays when Parliament is not in session and most Saturdays throughout the year. They go at a slow pace, allowing you to soak in the architecture and history of the buildings. 

These tours also held in French, Spanish, German and Italian on selected dates.

Cost: £32 for adults, £16 for kids, £26 for concessions, Disabled visitors are charged as per the above but an essential companion is free. 

How to Get Tickets: For the latest information on when these tours will return, click here .

Rather take things at your own pace instead of going on a group tour but still want to explore the Palace of Westminster? You should consider an audio tour. 

The 90-minute audio tour provides a wealth of information about the buildings and the politics that happen within Parliament’s walls – in audio and video formats. 

It’s also available in a much wider range of languages than the guided tours and there are different versions for children and adults. 

Cost: £25 for adults, £9 for kids, £18.00 for concessions, under 5s free. Disabled visitors are charged as per the above but an essential companion is free. 

How to Get Tickets: Get your tickets for Parliament before they sell out here .

Private Guided Tours 

Want to explore in a private group? Book a private guided tour. 

On the face of it, the £500 fee looks pretty steep but when you consider that it covers up to 10 people for a completely tailored tour, it doesn’t actually look so bad after all.

You’ll have to enquire about this privately as you can’t book online, but the tours generally begin first thing in the morning (Monday to Wednesday) and last around 75 minutes. 

Cost: Starts from £500 per group of up to 10 people 

How to Book: For bookings of 10 people or more, contact [email protected]

How to Take a Tour of the Houses of Parliament for Free

Did you know that UK residents can visit the Houses of Parliament for Free?

Scrap that, if you’re a UK resident, you can take a Democratic Access Tour of the Houses of Parliament for Free. 

We’ve taken one of these tours and it was riveting – 75 minutes of sights and information that had every single person fixed on every word our tour guide Sean had to say. 

The locations you cover during the tour depend on what’s happening on the day  – we were lucky enough to visit both houses (we literally squeaked into the House of Lords just in time). 

The tour is informative and educational, walking you through the daily business of MPs while they’re in the houses, the procedures that govern them and showcases the highlights of the Palace of Westminster along the way. 

We cannot recommend this enough – if you’re a UK resident and capable of getting to London, do it. 

The decisions that are made here influence every aspect of your life – not in an obscure and difficult to define fashion, but directly and with significant impact. Taking the time to understand how it works is never going to be a bad idea. 

How to Get Tickets: 

You have to be a UK resident to book one of the Houses of Parliament free tours. You’ll need to book through your local MP or a Member of the House of Lords to book up to six months in advance. 

There are often last-minute Houses of Parliament tickets available (within the next seven days) – you can email Parliament to book a space on one of them, or pop into the Ticket Office in front of Portcullis House. 

More information can be found here

Behind the Scenes Houses of Parliament Guided Tour 

This tour isn’t run by Parliament itself and is significantly more expensive than the standard guided tours we included above. 

So why are we listing it? Because it’s a much more in-depth and intimate tour that allows you to really immerse yourself in the world of Parliament past and present. 

In the course of two hours, you explore sections of the Palace of Westminster – including several places that aren’t covered by the other tours. 

This is really a tour for those who want to get down to the nitty gritty of the history and architecture of the Houses of Parliament and want to do it as part of a smaller group. 

Cost: £65 Adults, £59 Children (4-12), Infants three and under are free. 

How to get Tickets: Book online on Get Your Guide

Take a Virtual Tour

Can’t make your way to Parliament right now? Don’t stress. You can take a virtual tour of the buildings online. You’ll walk your virtual self through the corridors of power. It’s not the same as being there in person, but at least you don’t have to get off the sofa. 

Cost: Absolutely free. Hurrah.

How to get Tickets: Book online here.

Visiting the Houses of Parliament Without a Tour

Now you’ve got a good grasp of the kinds of tours that you can take of the Houses of Parliament, We’re going to walk you through the ways that you can usually visit Parliament without a tour. 

It’s probably worth noting that you’re not allowed to just walk around the Palace of Westminster unguided (unless you’re doing an audio tour), so if you want to look around the buildings and learn about their history, a guided or audio tour are the only ways to do it. 

Watch a Debate or Committee 

MPs in the House of Commons and Peers in the House of Lords debate issues and proposed legislation on a daily basis – all of which anyone is able to view from the public galleries of the respective houses. 

In addition to this, both houses also hold committee meetings examine issues in detail on subjects large and small – all of which are open to the public. 

Though the waiting times vary dependent on the popularity / contentiousness of the subject, you are normally able to just turn up and hop into the queue for both debates and committee meetings.

The visitor attendants can give you a good idea of how long you can expect to wait when you arrive. 

How to Get Tickets: Not ticketed, just turn up and queue . 

Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) happens every Wednesday at 12pm when Parliament is in session.

Even before the explosive events of the past few years, PMQs has always been the most popular event at Parliament, which is why it’s a ticketed event. 

How to Get Tickets: Contact your local MP to request a ticket. If you’re not a UK resident or you haven’t booked a ticket in advance you can turn up on the day and try your luck but the pool of seats available is small. Not currently running but keep your eyes peeled on the website.

Watch Minister’s Question Time

This happens in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords – generally at the beginning of the day Monday to Thursday and you can go and watch it from the public galleries of the respective houses. 

Cost: Free 

How to Get Tickets: You can contact your local MP to request a ticket or turn up on the day. Minister’s Question Time can be popular, but it’s generally OK to turn up on the day. Not currently running but check the website for updates.

Book a Special Event or Talk

There’s so much going on at Parliament – they really take their role of educating the public about aspects of life in Parliament, the history of the buildings and issues we face as a country.

The only problem is… only a select number of people know about them, buried as they are in an obscure section of Parliament’s website. 

Now,  you know that we’re full-on geeky (we’ve learnt to embrace it), but the subject range is fascinating. These are the kinds of talks that if you put them on TED Talks millions of people would be watching them, but when it’s Parliament… they’re hardly the talk of the town.

Don’t get us wrong – they still sell out but when’s the last time you saw them on a list of interesting things to do in London this week. It’s a shame – we want to thoroughly encourage you to go and check out the calendar and book onto any that interest you. 

At the moment, these talks are all virtual. Current ones on the calendar include The Elizabeth Tower’s Conservation and How UK Parliament Works – a great place to start if you’re looking to learn more about Parliament.

Cost: Varies – most are free

How to Get Tickets: Check the Calendar of Upcoming Events and book tickets (mostly free) online.

Houses of Parliament and the Palace of Westminster: Frequently Asked Questions

They actually refer to the same place. The Palace of Westminster, where the Houses of Parliament are based today, actually used to be a royal palace: Henry VIII was the last monarch to use it as such.  These days, it’s no longer a royal palace and serves as a meeting place for the House of Commons and House of Lords, together: the Houses of Parliament.

Yes, you can go into the Houses of Parliament – either on a tour, to go and see a debate or committee, to watch Prime Minister’s Questions or Minister’s Questions, to attend a talk or event or to go and petition your MP.  You can’t, however, just walk around and see the inside of the Palace of Westminster unguided. 

Yes, you can visit the Houses of Parliament for free by going to watch a debate, Prime Minister’s Questions or Ministers Questions in the appropriate house. You can also book a spot on one of the free Democratic Access Tours run by Parliament on a frequent basis. 

It depends on which tour you book. The free tours of the Houses of Parliament are around 75 minutes while the paid guided tours last for 90 minutes. They also recommend allowing at least 90 minutes for the self-guided audio tour. 

No, there is no formal dress code for visiting Parliament… but it is illegal to enter Parliament wearing a suit of armour, just in case you were thinking of doing that. 

You can take photos in Westminster Hall and St Stephen’s Hall in the Houses of Parliament if you’re visiting but no, you can’t take photos in the rest of the Palace of Westminster.

Yes, the buildings are old but they’ve been updated to make them accessible to everyone. From ramps to information in sign language and tours specially tailored to people that need a little more help than others, it’s all there for you.  What’s more, for the tours and such, essential companions can go free. 

You can find more information about parliament’s accessibility here

Yes, you can! Parliament’s Jubilee Cafe is open from 9:00am to 5:45pm Monday to Wednesday and 10:00am to 5:45pm Thursday to Saturday. They do a selection of refreshments, sandwiches and such in case you’re peckish.  Alternatively check out our guide to Westminster for some good food nearby.

Unlikely, but possible. Obviously whoever the Tories have chosen as our leader for the month that you happen to visit will be present at PMQs – if you can get a ticket to that – but most of the time they will be working from No. 10, around the corner – or off in a foreign country doing important diplomatic work. 

Map of the Houses of Parliament, London 

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Visiting London's Houses of Parliament

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

The Parliament of the United Kingdom is one of the oldest representative assemblies in the world. Parliament consists of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The site of the Houses of Parliament is the Palace of Westminster, a royal palace and former residence of kings on the River Thames . Edward the Confessor had the original palace built in the 11th century.

The layout of the palace is intricate, with its existing buildings containing nearly 1,200 rooms, 100 staircases, and well more than two miles of hallways. Among the original historic buildings is Westminster Hall, now used for major public ceremonial events. The iconic Big Ben , a symbol of London, rises above the Parliament buildings. 

Getting There

Dennis K. Johnson / Getty Images

The Houses of Parliament are directly opposite the London Underground's Westminster station exit. You can't miss Big Ben as you leave the station. Use  Journey Planner  to plan your route by public transport.

Stop for Lunch or Dinner

There is a cafe inside the Houses of Parliament where you can stop once you are inside the building after your tour, but if you want to have lunch before your visit you have several convenient options. The ​Central Hall is a two-minute walk from the Houses of Parliament and has a peaceful cafe on the lower ground floor. The cafe is open daily and serves a full English breakfast, sandwiches, salads, hot lunches, and desserts, cakes. 

Another great little-known location for a cuppa is the Supreme Court, which is on the other side of Parliament Square and has a free permanent exhibition and a basement cafe worth knowing about.

Houses of Parliament Tours

David Murray / Getty Images

Tours of the Houses of Parliament last an hour and 15 minutes, and tours start every 15 minutes. You'll be in a group of about 20 people with a Blue Badge qualified guide. The tours are usually at their busiest in the afternoon so try to get there in the morning for a chance at a smaller group if you would like more opportunities to ask questions.

Tours are available every Saturday all year and during the summer recess of Parliament in August and September, when Parliament is not in session, or as the Brits say, does not sit. During the recess, you can take a tour from Monday to Saturday. There are no tours on Sunday or on bank holidays. Check the dates for the summer recess on the official website when you are making plans for a tour.

Tours include the chambers of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, plus highlights such as the Queen's Robing Room, the Royal Gallery, Central Lobby, and St. Stephen's Hall. A bit of bad news: You won't be able to take photos except in Westminster Hall.

Seeing Parliament in Action

WPA Pool / Getty Images Europe

If you just want to turn up and go to the public galleries to watch a debate and maybe history being made, you can simply join the public queue outside St. Stephen's Entrance, but there is usually a one- or two-hour wait in the afternoons. To keep your waiting time down, it's best to arrive at 1 p.m. or later. The House of Commons Information Office can let you know in advance what is to be debated on specific days in the House of Commons. The public gallery is open when the House is sitting (​check the website for official times).

You can also sit in the public gallery and watch the House of Lords, which usually has a shorter waiting time.

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Parliament House / Sansad Bhavan Delhi (Entry Fee, Timings, History, Built by, Images & Location)

Parliament House / Sansad Bhavan Delhi Entry Fee

• 15 per person

Parliament House / Sansad Bhavan Delhi Phone

011 2303 4632, quick facts about parliament house / sansad bhavan delhi, parliament house / sansad bhavan delhi timings.

Links: Website | Map

Parliament House / Sansad Bhavan Delhi Address : Sansad Marg, Gokul Nagar, Janpath, Connaught Place , New Delhi Delhi , 110001 , India

‘Where decisions come alive…’

Switch on the TV and you will see a cabinet meeting being chaired or the two Houses viz. Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, gather their wits to battle out iconic decisions. Where do these meetings come alive?

Yes, the Parliament House in New Delhi.

One of the most beautifully built architectural masterpieces of all time, the Parliament House or Sansad Bhavan, is one of the top places to visit in Delhi . With a history as glorious as its present, the Parliament house can regale one and all with its worldly charm and heritage.

#Trivia: The Indian Parliament includes the President and the Two Houses- Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and Lok Sabha (House of People). The President, also the Supreme Commander of the Country, has the power over both the houses.

History and Architecture of Parliament House

The foundation stone of the Parliament House of India or Sansad Bhavan was laid on 12th February, 1921 by the Duke of Connaught. With stunning architecture and intricate stone designs, the Parliament House took nearly 6 years to complete i.e. 1921 – 1927.

The Parliament House was designed and constructed by the famous architect Lord Edwin Lutyens in collaboration with Sir Herbert Baker. It was finally inaugurated by the then Viceroy of India, Lord Edwin Lutyens on 18th January 1927.

The total cost of constructing this iconic masterpiece was a whopping Rs. 83 lakhs!

Wow, can you imagine the cost today?

#Trivia: Lutyens architecture is a specific style of construction that was adapted in building many monuments in India, especially New Delhi. Some of his iconic works include- India Gate, Baroda House, Rajpath, Patiala House, Jaipur Column, Rashtrapati Bhavan, etc.

The construction of the building was completed under the expert guidance and inspection of Sir Herbert Baker. Parliament house is an astounding work of art that is made of pillars and spherical supports. The shape of the building is said to have been inspired by or based on 11th century Chausath Yogini Temple situated in Madhya Pradesh.

The building is said to be a classic example of Portuguese architecture with great influence of the Indian style of architecture as well. Most of the balconies have walls and windows, like observed in many Indian Monuments.

#DidYouKnow- Because of its circular architecture, Parliament House was initially called Circular House.

Sansad Bhavan or Parliament building is around 170 meters in diameter with a circumference of more than half a kilometre (approx.. 536 meters). It is located in about 6 acres of land situated at the end of Sansad Marg, very close to India Gate.

#Trivia: Parliament house will complete a 100 years in 2021.

This iconic edifice’s first floor hinges on nearly 144 strong pillars with each pillar being almost 27 feet in length. If you look at the building from the outside, it may seem like a simple piece of work, however, the intricacy with which it is built proclaims its test of time.

The outer wall is geometrically shaped sandstone railings or Jalis and is surrounded by large gardens on all sides. The building has 12 gates in all with Gate 1 being the main gate.

As it stands today…

The Parliament House is said to undergo repairs and renovations to modernize its facilities and chambers. The New parliament building is said to become effective in the year 2022.

Image Gallery of Parliament House / Sansad Bhavan Delhi

How can i visit the parliament house.

Parliament House is not open to normal visitors who wish to stroll in. You need to acquire a special visitors pass that can be acquired from parliament security establishment. If the house is not in session, it is fairly easy to obtain the entry pass.

An officer of the house escorts a group of visitors through the halls of the parliament house. The visitors are allowed to see the Rajya Sabha inner lobby, Lok Sabha inner lobby and the Central Hall. Any gazetted officer of the parliament or an MP can recommend your name for the entry pass. This is the only way of visiting this iconic law-making institution.

Visitors are also allowed to observe Parliament proceedings live for an hour by obtaining special passes. The validity of the pass is for an hour, following which visitors have to leave the area. You have to adhere to the rules while visiting the Sansad Bhavan. There are different colour passes to visit the two houses- Green is for Lok Sabha and Maroon is for Rajya Sabha.

The tour of the place is open on general days between 11 am to 5 pm only.

#Trivia: At the center of the building lies the Central Hall where the transfer of Power took place when India got its independence from the British.

An absolutely delightful experience, the hour long tour of the Parliament House is definitely a must add during your visit to New Delhi.

Things to do while in the Parliament House

A visit to the Parliament House will forever be etched in our memory. But what can you do while inside?

1. Parliament Museum - The museum opened for the general public on 5th September, 2006 and is basically a story-telling museum. The interactive museum presents a rich heritage that spans over 2500 years of Indian democracy and walks you through the Democratic heritage, Freedom movement, Transfer of power, Constitution of India and the Parliamentary functions.

You can visit the museum between Tuesdays to Saturdays from 11 am to 5 pm. It remains closed to visitors on Sundays and Mondays (during session period). The entry fee is Rs. 10 per adult and none for students.

2. Public Gallery - As the name suggests the general public is allowed in the public gallery after acquiring proper passes.

Places to visit around the Parliament House

1. Jantar Mantar – 5 minutes from the Parliament house, this is one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the world. The entry fee is Rs.15 per person for Indian visitors, SAARC and BIMSTEC visitors while for foreign tourists, the ticket price is Rs.200 per person.

2. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib - Located around 15 minutes from here lies Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. It is one of the most revered religious places of the Sikh community. There is no entry fee.

3. Connaught Place - Located around 10 mins from here lies CP also called Connaught Place. It is famous for its eateries, pubs and lounges, Palika Bazaar and beautifully laid out gardens. Visitors can spend a few hours strolling through all the blocks of CP.

4. Delhi Metro Museum - Located around 15 mins from Parliament House, the Metro Museum takes visitors through the time capsule of the evolution of the Metro rail in Delhi. There is no entry fee.

5. Rashtrapati Bhavan - Around 10 mins from Parliament House lies yet another iconic architectural marvel called Rashtrapati bhavan or the President's House. One can book a tour by logging onto their official website. Certain sections are open to the general public for a certain time frame. The entry fee is Rs. 50 per person.

6. India Gate - Located around 5 mins from the Parliament House is the most preferred picnic spot of Delhi residents- India Gate. You can enjoy strolling in the garden, clicking pics, eating ice-cream and other knick-knacks / street food and enjoy a paddle boat ride in the small pond. There is no entry fee.

Places to eat near Parliament House

There are a number of places to chill with your family and friends after finishing your tour of the Parliament House. The most preferred place to get a number of dining options is Connaught Place or CP. You can feast on sandwiches and milkshakes at Keventers or South Indian food at Sarvanana Bhavan or some Indian Cuisine at Vedas or lip-smacking Kachori Aloo near Old Hanuman Temple.

Besides this you can also enjoy burgers, continental food, Italian food or any other cuisine at the many restaurants on CP.

How to Reach the Parliament House?

The Parliament house is accessible by road from all parts of New Delhi. It is best to travel by taxi or cab or rickshaw from your place of stay to avoid spending time at the crowded Metro station. You can also hire a cab from top car rental companies in Delhi for easier commutation.

If you wish to travel by the metro in Delhi, the nearest metro station to the Parliament House is Central Secretariat which is about 10 mins from the destination.

For visitors coming from outside Delhi, it is advisable to have your passes arranged before you come here to ensure that your visit is planned in advance.

You can reach New Delhi via air, train and road from all parts of the country.

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Visit Canada’s Parliament Reserve your tickets now

Senate Guided Tours

Visit the Senate at the Senate of Canada Building – Ottawa’s historic train station – to learn about the role and history of Canada’s Upper Chamber.

• Explore the Senate Chamber and learn about the work of Senators
• The Senate is located one block away from Parliament Hill, between the Château Laurier and the National Arts Centre
• Tours last approximately 30 minutes

House of Commons Guided Tours

Discover the history, roles, art and architecture of the House of Commons on this tour of the newly restored West Block .

• Visit the House of Commons Chamber and learn about the work of Members of Parliament
• All tours begin in the new Visitor Welcome Centre, located between West Block and Centre Block on Parliament Hill
• Tours last approximately 40 minutes

East Block Guided Tours

From late June to early September, visit East Block , the centre of Canada’s government during the late 19 th century. Guided tours take you inside four restored heritage rooms to explore early parliamentary life.

• Tours include the historic offices of the Governor General, the prime minister, a Cabinet minister and the Privy Council.
• Tours last approximately 50 minutes.

Parliament: The Immersive Experience

Explore the main Parliament Building, also called Centre Block, in this innovative experience that includes an exhibition and a 360° multimedia show.

• Tickets are free of charge.
• The experience is self-guided and lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Modify or cancel your tour reservation.

If you are a Tour Operator, School or if you are reserving tickets for a group of 10 or more, please sign in/register .

Convicted fraudster who stole thousands set to run for parliament

• Convicted fraudster running for parliament
• His travel business stole $280,000 from customers 
• READ MORE:  Alleged Perth fraudster accused of stealing $2.5million 

A convicted fraudster who stole almost $280,000 from customers of his travel company is hoping to get elected to Australia's parliament where he claims politicians 'steal from the Australian people every day'.

Jordan Dittloff, 35, stole $277,993 from 47 customers through his company Ace Travel, based in Colac, around 150km south-west of Melbourne , between July 2014 and May 2015.

Dittloff took payments from holiday-goers for flights, hotels and tours while working at Ace Travel in Colac and even printed fake itineraries  - but never completed the bookings.   

One of his victims was his then-fiancée's mother, who had saved up for her trip-of-a-lifetime by sewing and knitting. 

Dittloff served over two years in prison and has only paid back a couple of his victims.

Yet, he now plans to stand as a candidate for the Libertarian Party at the next federal election, likely to be held early next year.

'There'll be many people in the Colac community who are rightly sceptical,' Mr Dittloff admitted to A Current Affair. 

'But my past and my mistakes in the past don't excuse the situation we have in Canberra at the moment. 

'I think there are a lot of people in Canberra who steal and harm from the Australian people every day - they're not sorry for it.'

His victims have another view, however.

Stuart Kyle, who handed over $10,990 to Dittloff for a trip to Asia that never happened, said he was left 'gobsmacked' by the development. 

'How does a person do all this and then think they've got any chance of getting into a position like that?' Mr Kyle asked. 

' If he wants to ring me, I can give him my bank account if he'd like to put some money in there, that would be very well received.'

Dittloff has promised to pay back his victims over the next 'seven to 10 years'.

He has so far paid $34,638 - just 12 per cent of the total he pilfered from trusting clients. 

Dittloff admits he 'not only stole from people, but I damaged their trust'.

'I looked people in the eye, I accepted money they'd paid for their trips and I used that money to pay for other trips that had been booked earlier to generate documents,' he told the program.

'That was wrong and that's something I own and don't hide away from.

'I'm not sitting here and telling anybody they should trust me, or must trust me.

'All I'm asking is that they look at what I've done since that time.'

Dittloff claims he completed a business degree and postgraduate degree in law, telling the program he now works for a legal firm.

However, his website says: 'In 2024 I hope to be admitted to legal practice, and can't wait to see what the future brings'.

Daily Mail Australia approached Dittloff for further comment. 

'I have been able to reflect on behaviours that fuelled past addictions and now with strong support networks I have over 8 years of recovery and sobriety,' Dittloff's website states.

Monash University Constitutional law expert Professor Luke Beck told the program that Dittloff's criminal past does not disqualify him from running for office. 

'A person who's done their time, they're free to run and it's up to the public to decide whether somebody like that should be allowed to sit in Parliament,' Prof Beck said.

'If we want a vibrant democracy - the more people running, the variety of opinions and possibilities - the better.'

Federal budget 2024: Treasurer reveals $9.3b surplus while offering power bill relief, boosting rent assistance — as it happened

Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down his third budget on Tuesday evening, with a raft of measures aimed at dealing with Australia's cost-of-living crisis.

Take a look back at how things unfolded.

And to stay across all the reaction to last night's budget follow our live blog .

• 12:54 PM 12:54 PM Tue 14 May 2024 at 12:54pm Is the budget inflationary?
• 11:59 AM 11:59 AM Tue 14 May 2024 at 11:59am Budget almost guarantees future rate cuts will be 'slower and smaller'
• 11:32 AM 11:32 AM Tue 14 May 2024 at 11:32am 'Oh my God': Lambie slams lack of means testing for energy bill package

Live updates

That's it for tonight's budget live blog.

By Andrew Thorpe

Thanks for joining our live coverage of the 2024 budget — this is where we'll call it a night.

To recap, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has handed down a budget that delivers a $9.3 billion surplus , while doling out $300 per household in energy bill relief , boosting rent assistance , and plowing billions into transport networks and renewable energy .

But concerns remain about gross debt ,   future deficits and inflation , with the treasurer having to walk a delicate line by pumping up cost-of-living payments without spooking the RBA.

You can catch up on all the developments below, or   download the   ABC News app   and   subscribe to our range of news alerts   for the latest news.

I'll leave you with   national affairs editor Melissa Clarke, who's taken a look at the winners and losers from tonight's budget:

You can also catch up by reading political correspondent   Brett Worthington's main wrap below:

Will the government's HECS reforms apply to other student loans?

Hi, Is there any word on whether SFSS (Student Financial Supplement Scheme) loans will receive the same indexation relief as HECS/HELP loans? - Chris

Great question Chris.

SFSS loans aren't mentioned explicitly in the budget overview, but it appears student loan payments other than HELP (formerly HECS) will indeed be covered by the changes to indexation.

Here's the section in question:

The Government will cut $3 billion in student debt for more than three million Australians. This will provide relief for everyone with Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) and other student loan debt , while continuing to protect the integrity and value of the student loan system which has massively expanded access to tertiary education. In response to the Universities Accord, the Government will cap the HELP indexation rate to be the lower of either the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Wage Price Index (WPI). The Government will backdate this relief to all HELP, VET Student Loan, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan and other student support loan accounts that existed on 1 June 2023.

VIDEO: Laura Tingle breaks down the budget

7.30 chief political correspondent Laura Tingle   says the government is resting its economic credibility — and therefore much of its political future — on inflation falling below 3 per cent by Christmas.

That would mean the RBA would be in a position to cut rates earlier than it had previously flagged — and potentially before an election.

Watch as she breaks down the budget's political and economic consequences below:

Is the budget inflationary?

By Kate Ainsworth

It's the question that divided economists in the lead-up to the budget, but have opinions changed now the budget is out in the open?

I put this question to two of Australia's most experienced economists in the budget lock-up — and both said it's not that straightfoward.

"I think we need to be really careful about what we're asking," says Barrenjoey's chief economist Jo Masters . "Clearly, electricity rebates, rent subsidies, freezing of maximum contributions to the PBS technically lower measured CPI, so they reduce the cost of those items to households ... but arguably there is more government spending. "The counter argument though is that lower measured CPI has broader benefits, including that most households set inflation expectations on measured CPI and set wage expectations."

Lachlan Vass from e61 Institute says that there's two main components to the budget when it comes to inflation.

"There's the rent assistance increase and the household energy subsidies, which the government claims is disinflationary," he says. "The budget says it will take 0.5 percentage points off the CPI, but that's not inflation itself, and the government would argue that it helps decrease inflation through expectations. "However, the government is spending $9.5 billion extra on net decisions this coming financial year, and next year they're spending $10.3 billion. "So, in the two coming years they're still fighting inflation, and spending another $19.5 billion isn't going to help."

ABC political reporter Tom Crowley   also took a look at the issue earlier tonight:

Any news on the fight against scams?

Consumer affairs reporter Michael Atkin   has taken a look at what's in the budget to help fight against scams, which are costing Australians billions each year.

A record number of scams hit Aussies hard last year, making paying the bills even harder for people struggling with the cost of living. Despite better efforts to coordinate the response by the National Anti-Scam Centre, some scams prove stubbornly hard to stop . Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has been talking up the government's next step, which involves putting "tough" new obligations on   banks, telcos and tech giants. But we have no idea what those obligations will be just yet. This budget sets aside $67.5 million over the next four years, but that's mainly to see in the mandatory industry codes, with money going to the ACCC, ASIC and the ACMA, who will be tasked with enforcing these codes.

NDIS: What you need to know

By Liana Walker

Specialist Reporting Team's Evan Young and national disability affairs reporter Nas Campanella have the latest on the NDIS out of the budget.

Tonight's budget says the government expects sweeping reforms will "offset increases in NDIS payments" and save $14.4 billion over the next four years. The papers don't break down exactly where those savings are coming from. While the government plans to crack down on fraud and bureaucracy, there's fear in the disability community that savings could come at the expense of people's plans. Disability Advocacy Network Australia acting CEO El Gibbs says the implications of the savings for people with disability need to be better understood. "People with disability cannot miss out on essential support and we will be watching closely to make sure people are not removed from the scheme or supports are not taken away," she says. The government says spending on the scheme is now projected to rise to $60.7 billion by 2027-28 and it will spend $468.7 million over the next four years to get it "back on track". That includes $129.8 million for consultation on the recommendations of last year's review.

Higher education reforms still thin on detail

National education and parenting reporter Conor Duffy   has been looking through the budget for spending that would constitute a response to the Universities Accord :

Spending is earmarked at $1.1 billion over five years, and while any new funding is celebrated, in a sector with an estimated worth of $37 billion, it's unlikely to effect the generational change the government's touting. The budget also promises an additional Accord spend of $2.7 billion beginning in the 2028-2029 financial year, or a hypothetical third term of the Albanese government. It seems a commitment so far into the future, it might just come with an entire shaker of salt.

Read the full story here:

What do economists make of the budget?

For Lachlan Vass from e61 Institute , he said the government had delivered a "broad ranging budget, but it's hard to understand the narrative".

" It feels like the budget you have before an election when you're fiscally constrained," he says. "High inflation means you can't throw money out the door, and there's lots of uncertainty, but there's no big negative surprises, and there's nothing here that will alarm the RBA. "They're [the government] is traversing the narrow path, but it's hard to say if they're doing it successfully."

Barrenjoey's chief economist Jo Masters agrees that the budget is broadly what she had expected, but the cost of living relief measures were far broader and less targeted than she thought.

"Overall, the government has done a reasonable job in a complex environment," she says. "The cost of living relief is less inflationary than giving cash to households, and it's also less inflationary than the Low and Middle Income Tax Offset (LMITO)."

Is there any increase to JobSeeker?

For less than one per cent of job-seekers, yes. Otherwise, no.  

Here's the Specialist Reporting Team's Leonie Thorne:

Last year unemployment and student payments increased by $40 a fortnight – or $2.86 per day. That increase was enough to be described as a "win" by some players, but advocates argued it still left people receiving Jobseeker below the poverty line. Even a committee set up by the government itself described it as "seriously inadequate". "People receiving these payments told the committee that they regularly go without life's essentials because they simply cannot afford them," said the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee , which was tasked with giving pre-budget advice on welfare payments. That committee advised the government to increase Jobseeker by $17 a day. That has not happened. Instead, Jobseekers who are unable to work more than 14 hours a week will qualify for a higher rate — a change that will benefit about 4,700 JobSeekers.

Budget almost guarantees future rate cuts will be 'slower and smaller'

That's according to economists Jo Masters and Lachlan Vass, who both agree that tonight's budget is unlikely to alarm the Reserve Bank of Australia , but will affect the size of future rate cuts.

Jo Masters , who is the chief economist at Barrenjoey , said that if anything, the budget will result in future rate cuts by the RBA to be less extreme than previously forecast.

"They're a central bank that doesn't want to hike rates," she says. "We don't think there will be another rate hike coming, but more government spending this year and across the forward estimates suggests to us that when rate cuts do come, they will be slower and smaller. "As a result, we expect the cash rate will stay above 3% in 2025."

Lachlan Vass from e61 Institute agrees that the amount of government spending in the coming financial years will also deliver "slower and smaller rate cuts".

"You can't put an extra $10 billion into the economy each year and call it disinflationary," he says. "The government have really ramped up their spending, even compared to the mid-year update in December, and that can only add to inflationary pressures."

He adds that the RBA will keep all of this in mind when it eventually moves to reduce the cash rate, but stressed that it's not certain when that might be.

VIDEO: Changes coming to health

One of the big changes announced in this budget is a freeze to the maximum cost of PBS prescriptions.

That means the maximum price will be $31.60, or $7.70 for pensioner or concession card holders.

On top of that, the government will provide $3.4 billion over five years from last financial year for new and amended listings on the PBS.

Other funding announced in the budget in the health sector includes:

• $2.8 billion to strengthen Medicare, including a further 29 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
• $2.2 billion to improve the aged care system
• $888.1 million to help people get the mental health care they need

Watch the treasurer announce the measures in his speech earlier tonight:

Is this the end of small government? The budget seems to suggest so

The government is getting back into business.

In a move that has horrified the economic purists and overturned half a century of developed nation dogma, Australia has joined the United States and Europe in winding back the clock to an industrial future.

The budget's $22.7 billion Future Made in Australia spend is a bet on the government picking the right investments to secure the nation's future in a zero-emissions economy.

As chief business correspondent Ian Verrender writes, it's a big gamble on the future for a government still struggling to solve the pressing problems of the present in high interest rates and a cost of living crisis.

Funding set aside for aged and child care wage increases

Off the back of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, this budget has committed to fund a further increase in award wages for our aged care workers, building on the $11.3 billion allocated last year.

Another $87.2 million will also go towards workforce initiatives to attract nurses and other workers into aged care.

On the other end of the life cycle, funding has also been set aside for child care.

How much that actually amounts to will be dependent on an upcoming Fair Work decision.

'Oh my God': Lambie slams lack of means testing for energy bill package

Senator Jacqui Lambie is savaging the government's decision not to means test its energy bill relief package, which will see every household receive $300   — including high earners.

"Not means tested? What are we back in COVID days, when we were just chucking money left, right and centre?" she says to David Speers. "Seriously, you're too lazy to do some means testing? "We [high-income earners] don't need $300, I can assure you … I mean this is an absolute joke. "They've had two years, two years mate, that they've been in, and this is the best budget they can come up with? Oh my God."

Watch the senator's response below:

Analysis: Chalmers gambles on a second term

Successfully landing a budget in a weak economy in which you are also fighting inflation is not easy — and it's even harder if you bring politics into it, writes 7.30's chief political correspondent Laura Tingle :

There is some more limited cost-of-living support: things like more rental assistance for those on low incomes, a freeze in the cost of medicines and the already announced changes to student loan indexation. But given the stress households have been under, it is hardly generous. Instead, the third Chalmers budget is one built on a hope that the government gets more time to fix the long-term problems if it can just survive the political stress of an electorate living on the financial edge for another year.

Read the full piece here:

What's in the budget for business?

  I'm glad you asked, because we'll get the thoughts from some of the country's leading economists in a special budget edition of The Business .

Barrenjoey chief economist Jo Masters and e61 Institute research manager Lachlan Vass will give their takes on the budget, and   Finance Minister Katy Gallagher   will chat to host Kirsten Aiken about whether this Budget is inflationary and what it will means for interest rates.

We'll also hear what businesses make of the budget, including from two leaders of corporate Australia:   Fortescue executive director Elizabeth Gaines and Zip Co chair Diane Smith-Gander.

Plus, you'll get all of the insight and analysis from the ABC's experts, including chief business correspondent Ian Verrender , Rachel Pupazzoni and Alicia Barry .

Still need convincing? Let my colleagues do the talking 👇

Join us at 9.30pm on the ABC News Channel and 10.45pm on ABC TV.

How will I receive energy relief?

The treasurer explained at a press conference earlier today the energy relief relies on the states and energy retailers to provide rebates or credits on energy bills.

This is applied to each bill.

For example, someone who is billed quarterly should see a $75 credit on each bill for the next financial year.

Here's what the treasurer had to say about power bills in his speech tonight:

What's the deal with the $300 energy bill relief?

The government had been hinting for days in the lead up that energy bill assistance would likely be included again in the budget — and it's now been confirmed.

All up, more than 10 million households will be getting $300 to put towards their power bills from July 1, while about 1 million eligible small businesses will get $325 to put towards their energy bills.

The reason? It's because the government sees this as a key way to reduce inflation — which it's forecasting to be 0.5 percentage points lower by the end of the year.

Speaking at a press conference earlier this afternoon, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the bill relief is about relieving the cost of living pressures that are felt "up and down the income scale", noting that "middle Australia" is also feeling the pinch from higher power bills.

However, the rebate is less than what was in last year's federal budget, when up to $500 was paid out only to those who were eligible (that is, pensioners, veterans, concession card holders and people on government support payments).

In total, energy bill relief will cost the budget $3.5 billion in the 2024-25 financial year.

Angus Taylor calls budget 'Band-Aid on a bullet wound'

The shadow treasurer has also been asked directly if he supports the government's cost-of-living measures.

He says the government is not going to the source of the inflation problem, instead   they are putting a "Band-Aid on a bullet wound".

"The context is incredibly important and I will answer the question but the context is usually important. You should be dealing with the source of the problem when inflation is raging," he says. "The government isn't because [the budget] is designed for election and not a cost-of-living crisis."

Bandt says Chalmers 'talked a big game and delivered nothing'

Greens leader Adam Bandt isn't a fan of the cost-of-living measures announced in tonight's budget, telling the ABC's David Speers the budget is a "betrayal of people who are doing it tough".

"It's a betrayal of renters, of mortgage holders, of women, of students — meanwhile [it] backs unlimited rent increases, supermarket prices are going to continue to rise. "Labor is tightening your belts while letting big corporations and billionaires run wild."

When pressed on whether the Greens will back the measures that have been announced, he avoids answering directly — but says the party is going to fight for more.