The House Of Parliament Profile
The site of the Houses of Parliament is the Palace of Westminster, a royal palace and former residence of kings. The layout of the Palace is intricate, with its existing buildings containing nearly 1,200 rooms, 100 staircases and well over 3 kilometres (2 miles) of passages. Among the original historic buildings is Westminster Hall, used nowadays for major public ceremonial events. Control of the Palace of Westminster and its precincts was for centuries exercised by the Queen's representative, the Lord Great Chamberlain. By agreement with the Crown, control passed to the two Houses in 1965. Certain ceremonial rooms continue to be controlled by the Lord Great Chamberlain.

Admission to the Houses of Parliament
The public entrance to the Palace is through St Stephen's entrance in Old Palace Yard. Visitors wishing to watch the proceedings of either House should either obtain tickets well in advance - normally seven to eight weeks - from their MP, or else join the queue outside St Stephen's Entrance. It is generally easiest to get in to the House of Commons between 6.00pm and 10.30pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, after 1.30pm on  Wednesdays and Thursdays and at 9am on sitting Fridays. For further information on visits to the galleries, click on House of Commons or House of Lords . For UK residents, permits for guided parties to tour the Palace and Westminster Hall can be obtained from your local MP.

Free tours are held throughout the year, and you need to arrange a place through your MP or a Lord. Visitors pay for a tour during the Summer Opening, in advance or by queuing on the day. Please click here for further information.