house of parliament school visits

The site for everyone working for an MP

How to organise a school visit to westminster.

Schools, both primary and secondary, in your MP’s constituency may request a visit to Parliament.  This is obviously a great thing for children to do (both educational and fun) so should be encouraged wherever possible.  Parliament’s Education Service offers a number of services for schools, teachers and MPs to support students’ understanding of Parliament and democracy, including a ‘visit Parliament’ programme.  The Education Service visits are in high demand and booked a term in advance.   If a school in your constituency can’t get on a visit through the Education Service, other options are listed below.

• Parliament’s Education Service
• Tour of Parliament – Central Tours Office

Tickets to the Gallery

• Tour of the Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben

Meet the MP / Question and Answer Session

• Other things to do in London  

Parliament’s Education Service

Parliament’s Education Service works on behalf of both Houses of Parliament to support students and teachers in developing their understanding of Parliament and democracy.  All its programmes and resources are freely available and aimed at young people aged 7-18 in formal education.  http://www.parliament.uk/education/

The Parliament Education Service has extensive resources for schools and colleges.  They can arrange school visits to Parliament, provide teacher training about citizenship and political literacy, and creates resources to help teach these subjects in the classroom.

Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can be accommodated in mainstream school tours, or special tours can be arranged for whole classes of children with SEND.  Contact the Education service for details.

School visits programme

Schools receive a tour of the Palace of Westminster, providing the context for learning about the work and role of Parliament.  A choice of curriculum-focused workshops follows.  The school’s MP is always invited to take part in a 15 minute Q&A session.  To book, schools call the dedicated booking line 020 7219 4496.  Sessions are booked a term in advance and the booking line opens on three dedicated days a year.  A travel subsidy scheme is also available to help with the travel costs for state schools outside of London and the South East who have booked for a tour and workshop with the Education Service.

Parliamentary Education Centre

Parliament’s Education Centre was officially opened by Professor Brian Cox on 15 July 2015.  The Centre, which is situated at the North End of Victoria Tower Gardens, is a world-class education facility that inspires and connects young people with Parliament and democracy.  It is a dynamic, stimulating environment, distinct from the school environment.  It makes use of creative and immersive technology to create a unique learning experience that generates a sense of anticipation in groups entering the space, and from which groups depart feeling inspired and excited about their Parliament.  Take a look at #ParlEdCentre on Twitter. https://learning.parliament.uk/en/visit-us/

‘MP-assist’ visits

f your office has arranged a tour for a school from your constituency (see below for information on requesting tours), then you can request that the group receive a curriculum-focused workshop, facilitated by a member of education staff.  This service is subject to availability of staff and your office would be responsible for arranging rooms. To request an MP assist please call 020 7219 4496.

Education outreach team

Members of the service visit schools all across the country to improve teachers’ knowledge of Parliament and the political process and give them techniques for teaching political literacy in the classroom. https://learning.parliament.uk/en/outreach/

Online resources

The education website has a growing bank of fun and informative web resources which aim to engage both teachers and students.  https://learning.parliament.uk/en/resources/

To find out more about any of the services provided by the Education Service please email [email protected]  or call 0207 219 4496 or visit https://learning.parliament.uk/en/

Member-Sponsored Tours of Parliament (Democratic Access Tours)

Members of Parliament can sponsor tours of Parliament (along the Line of Route) which include the Chambers of both Houses, the State Rooms in the House of Lords, and Westminster Hall.

See more in our guide here: https://w4mp.org/w4mp/w4mp-guides/guides-to-parliament/tours-of-the-houses-of-parliament/

Tickets to the Public Galleries can be obtained via the respective ‘Admission Order Office’ for each house, Commons (Ext. 3700) and Lords (Ext. 5949).

Whenever the Commons and Lords are sitting, visitors can sit in the Galleries.

If the group is prepared to take its seats in the gallery from the start of business (check ParliNet for times), tickets can be booked in advance (in groups of up to 5, with some flexibility).  Ring to check availability and then send a ticket request form (available on ParliNet, search for “Access to the Galleries”).

If a group wishes to take its seats more than half an hour after the start of business they can be added to ‘late lists’.  Space in the galleries is not guaranteed but the gallery Admission Offices will be expecting the group.  The late list can often accommodate large groups.

Tickets for Prime Minister’s Questions are very hard to come by.  MPs are allocated two tickets periodically using a rota system, but more may be available by applying in the usual way, but well in advance.  This is usually not an option for large school groups.

Tickets can be collected by the visitors on the day from the Admission Order Office in Central Lobby or from the Lords lobby.

Parliament’s Education Service has an allocation of gallery tickets for use by schools and colleges (x4496).

See also our separate guide here: https://w4mp.org/w4mp/w4mp-guides/guides-to-parliament/how-to-arrange-gallery-tickets/

Tours of the Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben

Big Ben tours were resumed in summer 2023 following the most extensive and complex restoration project in the Tower’s 160+ year history. Expanding visitor access to the Elizabeth Tower was a key aim of the conservation project. Public tickets for Big Ben tours are released periodically throughout the year. Tour capacities are limited and tickets for the public tend to sell out on the day of release.

Further information is available on ParliNet .

The highlight of any visit is of course a meeting with the MP!  The format of this session will obviously vary according to the age of the group and the preference of the Member.  A good format is a brief introductory talk about life in Westminster and the role of an MP, followed by a Question and Answer session.  Such meetings will probably last between 30 minutes and an hour.

Information on how to book a room, including presentation equipment, light refreshments and on photography and filming can be found on ParliNet .

If requested in advance (on the booking form or by phone) the Central Tours Office will arrange for their tour guides to escort groups to your meeting room after tours.

Lost in the wilds of Westminster? Find your bearings with our maps of the parliamentary estate and the surrounding area: http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/access/directions/ .

It is very difficult to accommodate a large number of children in Parliament for lunch.  It is sometimes possible to book the Jubilee Room where students can eat packed lunches if the MP is present (Ext. 3090).  Otherwise the group might like to go to  St. James’s Park , a short walk away.

Other things to do in London:

If the group is coming a long way they may be keen to do other things in London while they are down. You might suggest visits to a civil service department (the school should approach the department direct), the Churchill’s War Rooms , the Imperial War Museum , the Tower of London , a Thames River Cruise (several websites), or a trip on the London Eye . The Science Museum , Natural History Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum are all less than a ten minute tube journey away from Westminster, in South Kensington.

If you are a teacher or student and have just read the above and fancy a visit for your school, contact your local MP’s office, or the Parliament Education Service directly, and ask them to organise it for you.

Not sure who your MP is? Use this page to find out: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

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What will students see and do.

On a visit to the Palace of Westminster in London, school groups can discover the historical and present-day processes of the House of Lords and House of Commons.

As they tour these iconic buildings, students will experience the UK’s seat of power up close, while interactive workshops introduce those of different ages to the workings of the government.

The tour lasts 90 minutes, with the visit extending to over two hours when a workshop is added. As well as catering to students of all ages, activities can be adapted to children with special educational needs.

For visits arranged for Monday to Thursday, your local MP will be invited to meet the group and take part in a question-and-answer session, though it’s not guaranteed that they will be available.

After your visit, students can enjoy their packed lunches in the nearby Victoria Tower Gardens. For history trips, you’re also well positioned to explore other sights in central London.

For those unable to travel to Westminster, it’s possible to arrange a live online workshop instead, delivered by a member of staff from UK Parliament. Alternatively, why not book a live Q&A with a member of the House of Lords?

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

Both the tour and workshops have clearly defined curriculum outcomes for different key stages in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

For Key Stage 1 pupils, these outcomes can be related to citizenship, history, SMSC, health and wellbeing, social studies and PSHE.

At Key Stage 2, the curriculum objectives cover citizenship, SMSC, PDMU, health and wellbeing, social studies and PSHE.

For post-16 students, outcomes are related to citizenship, politics and modern studies.

The workshops delivered on-site are as follows:

– Story of Parliament: This is suitable for pupils aged 7–18 and lasts 90 minutes. It starts with a visit to the education centre, where a 360-degree film tells the story of UK Parliament. Next, pupils undertake a full tour of the building, finishing in Westminster Hall.

– Representation & Voting: There are two levels of this workshop available, the first being suitable for students aged 7–16. In this workshop, pupils are introduced to the process of electing members of Parliament. Participants represent fictional constituencies and stand for imagined political parties. They create manifestos and pupils vote for their chosen candidate. In this exercise, they begin to understand how elections work and how MPs are chosen.

For students between 16–18 years, the workshop introduces voting principles like proportional representation and first past the post. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of each system, they design manifestos and hold a general election.

– Laws & Debating: Suitable for pupils aged 7–18, this interactive workshop introduces the law-making process. Starting with an idea for a bill, students then take it through the houses of Commons and Lords, debating as they go. This activity demonstrates the democratic process and how laws come into place in the UK. Through involvement, students develop debating skills and are motivated to be active members of society.

– Campaigning & Parliament: Aimed at students aged 7–11, this workshop introduces the concepts of local, devolved and national government. Participants will discover the responsibilities of different levels of government and how these are decided. In the campaigning exercises, students find out about different campaign methods and the efficacy of each. Finally, pupils find out how to get involved in democracy.

Subjects covered

Teaching resources provided.

Free teaching resources are available for visitors, or to download from the website.

For pupils aged 5–7, an illustrated book describes a visit to Parliament and what takes place there.

For students between 7–11, the education pack introduces the people who work in the houses of Commons and Lords. Interactive activities also describe laws, elections and how to be involved in Parliament.

The post-16 workbook covers electoral systems, UK constitution, democracy and how to campaign.

Minimum and maximum group size

The minimum group size is 12 visitors, including adults. The maximum size for tours and workshops is 32 students. For larger groups, the visit will be split across different time slots.

For pupils aged 5–7, the required adult-to-child ratio is one adult per seven children. For pupils aged 7–18, the ratio is one adult per 15 children.

Details of risk assessment

The Parliament Education Service team are available to help with risk assessments and paperwork. Upon arrival, all visitors are subject to security checks and are briefed on health and safety and expected behaviour.

Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment

Facilities on-site

Much of the site is wheelchair accessible, although the tour may need to take a different route. The team are happy to discuss any mobility access needs your group might have.

The gift shop is not available to school groups, although souvenirs can be pre-ordered and given to the lead teacher to distribute.

Opening times

School tours operate Monday to Friday and are subject to business and events in parliament. Sessions typically take place between the hours of 9am and 3pm.

All activities arranged through the Parliament Education Service are free to attend.

Travel arrangements

Although there are some drop-off points at UK Parliament, it’s advisable to arrive by public transport, as parking nearby is scarce.

The nearest overground rail stations are Charing Cross, Victoria and Waterloo, which are all within a 30-minute walk.

The education centre is a short walk from Westminster underground station, which is connected to the Circle, District and Jubilee lines.

There are also a number of public bus services stopping nearby. There are travel subsidies available for school visits from certain areas.

Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London, London SW1A 2TT

Book your school trip to Parliament Education Service

For information on booking your school trip to this venue, click below.

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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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• Admission Members of Parliament
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Parliamentary Visits

• Informative Videos
• - Admission Members of Parliament
• - Duration of Parliament
• - Tasks
• - Legislative Process
• - Meetings
• - Rules of Order
• - Resignation Members of Parliament
• - Immunity
• - House Rules Parliament of Sint Maarten
• - Parliament Logo
• - International Relations
• - Members of Parliament
• - President
• - Presidium
• - Secretary General
• - Secretariat
• - Permanent and Ad Hoc Committees
• - Parlatino Standing Committees
• - Past Members of Parliament
• - Amendments
• - Annual Reports
• - Charter of the Kingdom
• - Constitution
• - Decision Lists
• - Motions
• - National Ordinances
• - Regulations
• - Written Questions to Government
• - Others
• - Video Archives
• - Meetings Calendar
• - President of Parliament Award
• - Parliamentary Visits
• - Informative Videos
• - Vacancies

COVID-19 Procedure Update

Due to measures taken to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), the House of Parliament is only allowing persons with an appointment to enter the Parliament building. School visits are also on hold until further notice.

Parliament of Sint Maarten School Visit

As we prepare for you and your students to have an enjoyable and educational visit to the House of Parliament here are some tips and resources to help you prepare for your visit.

Before you arrive:

Please review your confirmation email to make sure the details of your visit are correct.

Contact the school visit coordinator at 1721-5420812 if you have any questions.

Please allow for a minimum of 1.5 hours for your visit. House Rules

On the day of your visit:

If you are running late for your visit, please call the office at 1721-5420812 and notify the school visit coordinator accordingly.

Students, teachers and chaperones are expected to meet appropriate dress code requirements of Parliament. House Rules

Eating and drinking are not permitted inside of the Legislative Hall.

Preparation for reenactment meeting

Three topics of interest of which one topic will be selected for the reenactment meeting that will be done by the students.

The students will then experience a reenactment meeting of Parliament chaired by the President of Parliament.

In order to prepare for the students, kindly submit the following:

• The total number of students visiting
• Three topics of interest in which one topic will be selected for the reenactment meeting that will be done by the students.
• Names of 14 students who will play the role of Members of Parliament
• Names of seven students who will play the role of the Ministers
• The name of one student that will play the role of the Secretary-General of Parliament

The 14 students (14 Members of Parliament) are requested to prepare questions based on the topics of interest that will be submitted by the school. The seven students (seven Ministers) will also be requested to have knowledge and ideas on how issues or concerns being asked pertaining to the chosen topics can be resolved.

The school visit coordinator can be contacted should you require further clarity on the preparation of the students.

What to expect on the visit to the House of Parliament

Our staff will provide your students with an overview of the program outline of the visit.

A presentation will be given about the role of Parliament followed by a quiz session whereby; a small prize can be won.

The students will then experience a reenactment meeting of Parliament.

The students will have the opportunity to ask Members of Parliament who will be present questions about their role as a Member of Parliament. Questions should be prepared beforehand.

Building Tour:

As we prepare the students for the tour, students will have the opportunity to have their handouts autographed by Members of Parliament that are present.

The Parliament Building is a working office building. Therefore, students or groups are requested to lower their voices during the tour of the building.

Once the tour is completed the students will be provided with a token of appreciation for visiting the Parliament of Sint Maarten and guided to the exit.

The Parliament of Sint Maarten Group Visit Request Form

We welcome your school, institution, association or foundation visit at the House of Parliament. Kindly fill out the below requested information. All requests should be submitted 3 weeks prior to your preferred date of your groups visit

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Please review your confirmation email to make sure the details of your visit are correct. Contact us at 1721-542-2929 if you have any questions.

All visitors are expected to meet appropriate dress code requirements of Parliament House Rules.

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• Get involved
• Back to Education sessions

Visits to your school

We can come to your school to run sessions in the classroom, Mondays to Thursdays.

When we visit you, we run interactive educational workshops suitable for:

• BGE / general political literacy ‘Getting involved’ session
• CfE Level 2 & 3, including either a debate or a priorities / mock election
• National 5, with a focus on the role of the First Minister and FMQs
• Higher, focusing on the role and work of committees

Our sessions include a range of hands-on activities to enhance learning.

If you still wanted to add a visit to the Parliament to complement this experience, you could arrange a regular group tour through Visitor Services  or you could contact your MSPs to book tickets for FMQs or other business.

Bookings are open from February to June 2024 – use our online form to request an education session

• Reader view

Visit the Oireachtas

Leinster House is open Monday to Friday. Members of the public may visit on official business.

Information for visitors

All visitors must enter through the visitors' entrance on Kildare Street beside the National Museum of Archaeology.

• Bring photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence
• Arrive at the Kildare Street gate 15 minutes before your appointment or tour
• Avoid bringing large bags
• Notify us if you have any special requirements such as disability access

Tours of Leinster House are currently limited to those sponsored by a TD or Senator .

Contact your local TD or Senator to find out more. Public and walk-up tours are not available at present.

Virtual tour

Leinster House is the seat of Ireland's Parliament and comes with its own rich history.

Take a look at this jewel of 18th-century architecture with our virtual tour.

• Take the virtual tour of Leinster House

Accessible accommodations for tours of Leinster House

If assistance is required to access the Houses of the Oireachtas contact the access officer, Michael O'Brien, [email protected] or +353 (0) 1 618 4556. The access officer is available in accordance with section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005 .

The Houses of the Oireachtas Leinster House complex has been accredited as autism-friendly by AsIAm, Ireland's autism charity. Find out more on our dedicated page of information and resources for autistic visitors.

If Irish Sign Language interpretation is required for tours of Leinster House, contact the ISL team, [email protected].

Leinster House is on Kildare Street in Dublin 2, between the National Library and the National Museum of Archaeology.

All visitors must enter through the visitors’ entrance on Kildare Street.

Take a look at our smarter travel information on the best way to get to our parliamentary campus.

Smarter travel to Leinster House

Leinster House is well served by public transport and further information on planning a journey can be found on the Transport for Ireland website .

Please note there are no car parking facilities at the Leinster House campus.

The nearest Luas tram stop is the Dawson stop on Dawson Street.

(4 mins walk)

The nearest Dart station is Pearse Station  on Pearse Steet.

(9 mins walk to visitor entrance)

Kildare Street, Nassau Street and St. Stephen's Green are well served by Dublin Bus .

The area is well serviced with bicycle infrastructure. There are several bike racks available for on-street bicycle parking on Molesworth Street, which faces the visitor entrance to Leinster House.

Bike hire parking stations are also available on Molesworth Street and nearby on Frederick Street and Leinster Street South.

Information on secure bicycle parking is available on Dublin City Council's website and information on hiring a bicycle is available on the Transport for Ireland website .

Visitor safety and security

Read our policy on conditions of entry to the Leinster House complex.

• Visitor Safety and Security Policy

Visit Parliament

Shri Rajender Prasad

Deputy Director

Reception Office, Parliament House, New Delhi-110001

011-23034712, 011-23034720

Shri Dalbir Singh

Reception Office, Parliament House Annexe

011-23035289, 011-23034481

Shri K.K. Dubey

Security Officer

Reception Office, Parliament Library Building

011-23035020, 011-23035672

Social Media

Politics latest: Rishi Sunak to hold news conference as Rwanda bill returns to parliament

Rishi Sunak will address the nation this morning ahead of the final push later today to pass the bill designed to rescue the embattled Rwanda scheme. Plus, the home secretary will meet with the Met chief amid calls for him to quit over the treatment of an antisemitism campaigner.

Monday 22 April 2024 08:25, UK

• PM to hold news conference this morning as Rwanda bill returns to parliament
• Met Police chief to meet home secretary after calls for him to quit over antisemitism row
• Rob Powell:  A Met chief is again in middle of policing and politics - so what happens now?
• Listen to this week's Politics at Jack and Sam's above and  tap here  to follow wherever you get your podcasts
• Live reporting by Ben Bloch

Ahead of the Rwanda bill returning to parliament later today, the prime minister is set to hold a news conference in Downing Street this morning.

We are told Rishi Sunak will be discussing the Rwanda bill, that last week was unexpectedly delayed by peers in the House of Lords, who passed two new amendments on Wednesday.

On Friday, Mr Sunak vowed that both Houses would sit as late into the night tonight as needed to agree a version of the bill to pass into law.

We will have live coverage of the news conference later this morning here in the Politics Hub and across Sky News, so do stay tuned.

By Tamara Cohen , political correspondent

New legal guidance will make it easier for police to go after stalkers, after ministers admitted too many are slipping through the net.

Stalking Protection Orders were introduced four years ago and allow police to impose conditions on perpetrators not to approach or contact their victims.

But figures obtained under freedom of information laws by a victims' charity show some police forces have issued fewer than 10 per year.

A breach of one of these orders is a criminal offence carrying a sentence of up to five years.

Safeguarding minister Laura Farris has today issued new statutory guidance to all 43 police forces to apply a lower standard of proof when issuing these orders.

She told Sky News on a visit to a helpline for stalking victims: "Previously the police would have to meet the criminal standard which is beyond reasonable doubt.

"We're lowering that now, so they only have to persuade a judge on the balance of probabilities, a kind of 50-50 test, that a Stalking Prevention Order is appropriate."

Read the full story here:

Liz Truss has much more in common with Donald Trump than just the first three letters of his surname.

Despite presenting themselves as "outsiders", both enjoyed substantial political careers and reached the top of their profession as prime minister of the UK and president of the United States respectively.

In both cases, their periods in power ended in ways that outraged their opponents and many in their own Conservative and Republican parties. Economic chaos brought on by her rash policies forced Truss out of office after just 49 days in 10 Downing Street.

Trump lost the 2020 election, refused to accept his defeat and praised the mob who stormed the Capitol in an attempt to keep him in the White House.

Many thought they were finished for good. But like those who had laughed at their ambitions earlier in their careers, the nay-sayers were wrong again. Both have been reprieved and continue to be respected as forces in their parties.

Read Adam's full analysis here:

As we reported over the weekend, former Tory MP Mark Menzies, who is facing allegations of misusing campaign funds, has quit the Conservative Party and says he won't stand at the next general election (he strongly denies the allegations against him).

Deputy foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell told Sky News that the party has had "some difficulty" with the case because the money allegedly misused was not from the Tory party's main coffers, but rather a "subgroup outside the Fylde Conservative association".

He went on: "The Conservative Party investigated it fairly. We established that there was no breach of the Electoral Commission's rules or of the rules of the House of Commons.

"We then tried to intervene in respect of what happened within the association and discovered that this was funding that was kept outside the association.

"So I don't think there should be any criticism of the Conservative Party. We tried to get the balance right."

Mr Mitchell went on to say that he has been abroad and so is not "fully conversant with the all the details" of the case.

But he insisted the party has "properly investigated this matter" in a "timely way which respected the rights of all parties".

He added that "lessons will be learnt" and the party will "set up a whistleblower arrangement" to ensure such things can be reported properly.

On Mr Menzies himself, the deputy foreign secretary said: "I don't think that his actions were those one has a right to expect from a member of parliament, and that is why no longer has the whip and is no longer a member of the Conservative Party."

He declined to say if Mr Menzies is right to wait until the general election before stepping down as an MP.

Amid the controversy over a Met Police officer telling a Jewish man that he could not cross the road during a pro-Palestine protest because he was "openly Jewish" ( more here ), we asked the deputy foreign secretary if the police should be able to shut down these protests.

Andrew Mitchell told Sky News: "The government will always respond to police requests for the relevant powers. But as far as I'm aware, that is not a request that has yet been made."

He said it would be "regrettable to have to ban any march, so long as it's a march within the law".

"But what I'm saying is that if the police require different or further powers, then I'm sure they will ask for them."

Asked if he believes the Met Police failed the Jewish community in London, the senior minister replied that it is a "complex situation".

"There are lessons certainly to be learned from this profoundly regrettable situation that occurred over the weekend.

"But the government will always be very careful indeed to defend the rights of all people, and has no truck whatsoever with antisemitism or Islamophobia."

 Next, we asked the deputy foreign secretary for his view on a Met Police officer telling a Jewish man that he could not cross the road during a pro-Palestine protest because he was "openly Jewish" ( more here ).

Andrew Mitchell told Sky News that it was an "appalling episode" and said that the home secretary will "undoubtedly hold Sir Mark [Rowley], the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, to account for what happened".

He went on: "I think the police do an incredibly difficult job on these occasions, and so I am not criticising the bobby on the beat who was policing the demonstration.

"But I think there are strategic issues about how we ensure that Jewish people, people of any faith at all can go about their business in London and not be impeded in the way that he was."

Mr Mitchell went on to say there was no malice from the officer himself, but there needs to be "better leadership and better direction from the top".

He added that, as far as he is aware, no one in government is calling for Sir Mark to resign, but said: "He should explain both what happened and why it happened and what changes need to be made to ensure that it doesn't happen again."

We've just been speaking with the deputy foreign secretary, Andrew Mitchell, and we started by asking about the situation in the Middle East and if any progress is being made towards a ceasefire.

He told Sky News: "I think we're making some progress on humanitarian relief, but not enough.

"And the position of the government, which the foreign secretary was pushing hard around the region last week, is that there has to be a pause which allows humanitarian aid to get in and to get these hostages out.

"And then on the back of that, we hope for a sustainable ceasefire."

He said the situation was "extraordinarily difficult", and that simultaneously, we have to move towards a two-state solution in the region.

Mr Mitchell explained that Lord Cameron would be travelling to the region this week, saying: "These are countries which are good friends of Britain.

"We have economic interests there. We have investment interests, but we also have security interests, and he is doing his job as foreign secretary on behalf of our country in shoring up those relationships and making sure they are the best they can be."

By Alexandra Rogers , political reporter

An MP facing allegations of misusing campaign funds has quit the Conservative Party and says he won't stand at the next general election.

Mark Menzies made the announcement after claims that he used political donations to cover medical expenses and pay off "bad people" who had reportedly locked him in a flat and demanded thousands of pounds for his release.

The backbench MP for Fylde in Lancashire disputed the allegations but was suspended from the Conservative parliamentary party while an investigation took place.

In a statement on Sunday, Mr Menzies said: "It has been an enormous privilege representing the people of Fylde since 2010, but due to the pressures on myself and my elderly mother, I have decided to resign from the Conservative Party and will not stand at the forthcoming general election.

"This has been a very difficult week for me and I request that my family's privacy is respected."

Lancashire Police said it was reviewing "information" about Mr Menzies after Labour asked for an investigation.

The claims surrounding Mr Menzies - which were branded "jaw-dropping" by former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson - came to light after the outgoing MP's former campaign manager Katie Fieldhouse spoke to the Times.

In the Venn diagram of policing and politics, it's often the Met Police commissioner who gets trapped in the middle.

And so once again, Sir Mark Rowley is being pushed and pulled between the public order decisions made by his officers on the ground and the extensive public and political examination that follows.

In the case of the high-profile interaction between Gideon Falter of the Campaign Against Antisemitism and an officer policing the pro-Palestinian march in London last Saturday, the best vantage point we have is the footage filmed by a Sky News camera crew at the demonstration.

The footage shows a lengthy and bad-tempered discussion, with the officer accusing Mr Falter of purposefully leaving the pavement and walking on the road against the flow of protesters.

"You are looking to try and antagonise... I can already see what your mindset is," the officer says at one point.

Mr Falter disagrees, saying he is simply trying to cross the road and "get out of here".

The officer replies that if that's the case, he's happy to escort him and his group safely around the march.

However, Mr Falter asks: "Why can't I just walk where I want to walk?", before adding "the Metropolitan Police says these marches are completely safe for Jews... you're telling me... I have to be escorted by you".

This is really the key point.

Read Rob's full analysis here:

Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley will meet the home secretary and policing minister this week to discuss antisemitism, Sky News understands.

It comes after an antisemitism campaigner was threatened with arrest yards away from a pro-Palestine protest where officers described him as "openly Jewish" and said his presence was "antagonising demonstrators".

The force apologised but then had to apologise for their apology after suggesting opponents of pro-Palestinian marches "must know that their presence is provocative".

Sir Mark will also meet London mayor Sadiq Khan to discuss "community relations" and he is expected to speak to organisations including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the London Jewish Forum and the Community Safety Trust.

Gideon Falter, the campaigner who was threatened with arrest, said Jewish Londoners could not have confidence in the police under Sir Mark's leadership, accusing the commissioner of "victim blaming".

Read the full story, and watch video of the incident, here:

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