Members’ Tours

A Working for an MP Guide
Members’ Tours and Paid Tours
First Published 10 April 2014 w4mp
Last Updated 10 April 2014 w4mp
Last Reviewed na w4mp
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As part of the House of Commons Savings Programme, Parliament committed to some income generating initiatives in order to reduce the costs of managing and maintaining the building and services. A conclusion reached by the Administration Committee, endorsed by the Commission, was that Parliament (and the Palace of Westminster in particular) fulfils two roles. It is both a working building and a visitor attraction. The distinction between Parliament’s two roles is central to the recent changes which have been made to Members’ Tours and Paid for Tours.

In consultation with the Administration Committee and the Parliamentary Visitor Board changes have been made to the delivery of Tours which come into effect immediately.

Members’ Tours will now operate as follows:

  • Maximum group size for tours is 20 people.
  • Our policy of not mixing school groups will continue. However, general constituent groups will be mixed wherever possible

During Parliamentary Sessions

  • Mondays               9:00am to 12:00pm Full Tours
  • Tuesdays              9:00am to 9:55am Full Tours.
      • 10:00am to 12:00pm Partial Tours (Lords Only)
  • 10:00am to 12:00pm Partial Tours (Lords Only)
  • Wednesdays      9:00am to 9:55am Full Tours.
      • 10:00am to 12:00pm Partial Tours (Lords Only)
  • Thursdays No Tours
  • Sitting Fridays 3:30pm to 5:00pm Full Tours
  • Non Sitting Fridays 9:30am to 5:00pm Full Tours

During Recesses

  • Summer Recess (Once both Houses have risen): Monday mornings 09:30am-12:30pm (except Bank Holidays)
  • Short November recess: 9:30am – 5:15pm
  • All other Recess: Mondays 9.30am-5.15pm                                                                                (except Bank Holidays where an alternative day will be made available)

Paid for Tours will now operate as follows:

  • Guided tours last 100 minutes and are offered in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Russian. They also access the Grand Committee room and The Moses room. Tours in other languages (including Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian and Welsh) can be arranged for groups on request.
  • Audio tours last approximately an hour and are offered in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Mandarin, Brazilian Portuguese and Welsh.
  • Green permits are available for full pass holders to take up to 6 visitors around the route during paid for tour dates. These are available 7 days in advance.

During Parliamentary Sessions

  • Saturdays only: 9.00am – 4.30pm (last entry)

During Recesses

  • Summer Recess (Once both Houses have risen):

Monday 1.20pm – 5.30pm (last entry),

Tuesday to Friday: 9.00am – 5.30pm (last entry)

Saturdays: 9.00am – 4.30pm (last entry)

  • Short November recess: Saturdays only: 9.00am – 4.30pm (last entry)
  • All other Recess: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am – 5.30pm (last entry), Saturdays: 9.00am – 4.30pm (last entry)

Making these changes to Members’ Tours ensures that the capacity for Members’ Tours visitors accommodates the total number of visitors who have been booked on these tours in previous years; whilst also enabling paid-for tours to extend their offer across all recesses.

Should you have any queries relating to this, please contact:

Matthew Morgan, Commercial Operations Manager morganma@parliament.uk

Elaine Thain, Members’ Tours and Bookings Manager thaine@parliament.uk

 


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