Houses of Parliament & Westminster Abbey Tour 2026
This tour pairs Westminster Abbey with the Houses of Parliament, the two landmark buildings that face each other across the road in Westminster. Exactly what you get inside depends on the option you choose — some include a guided visit to both interiors, while others cover only one building. It runs from about 75 minutes to 4 hours and costs from around £60 per adult in 2026, so check the option’s inclusions before booking.
Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster — the Houses of Parliament — sit directly opposite one another on Parliament Square, sharing a UNESCO World Heritage listing and nearly a thousand years of intertwined history. Visiting both in one trip makes obvious sense, and this combo tour is built around that pairing.
The catch is that this listing sells several options, and they don’t all include the same things — some cover both interiors with a guide, some cover only the Abbey or only Parliament. This guide explains what each variant includes, what it costs in 2026, and how to pick the right one.
What’s Included — Read the Option Carefully
Inclusions vary by option. The fullest version includes entry and a guided visit to Westminster Abbey plus entry and an audio-guided visit to the Houses of Parliament. Other options cover only the Abbey, or only Parliament. Before booking, confirm your chosen option lists both buildings if you want to see both interiors — the tickets are not interchangeable.
The strongest version of this tour — often labeled a shared tour with both Westminster and Parliament tickets — gives you interior access to each building: a guided visit inside Westminster Abbey and an audio-guided route through the Houses of Parliament, taking in Westminster Hall and, when Parliament is in recess, the debating chambers.
Other options on the same listing are narrower. A “Houses of Parliament only” variant skips the Abbey entirely, while Abbey-focused variants may not include Parliament entry. The single most important step is to read the inclusions line for the exact option you select, because the page bundles them together under one product.
Westminster Abbey Interior: Included in Most Options
For the Abbey, the combo delivers what a standalone visit would — access to the Nave, Poets’ Corner, the Coronation Chair, the royal tombs, and the Cloisters, with a guide on the shared-tour options. That interior access is included in most variants of this listing, the notable exception being the Parliament-only option.
If you already hold a separate Abbey ticket, or you only care about the Palace of Westminster, look closely at whether you’re paying twice for Abbey entry. For an Abbey-only visit at your own pace, a standalone entrance ticket with the included multimedia guide is the simpler, cheaper route.
Tour Details
What is included: Depending on the option: entry and a guided visit to Westminster Abbey, and/or entry and an audio-guided visit to the Houses of Parliament — confirm both are listed if you want both interiors
Duration: From about 75 minutes up to 4 hours, depending on the option
Languages: Live guiding in English and Spanish; optional audio guide in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Irish, Italian, Portuguese and Russian
Rating: Around 4.1 stars (240+ reviews) at the time of writing
Meeting point: The Westminster Abbey Shop, just outside the Abbey on Parliament Square
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts
Best for: Visitors who want both landmark buildings in one booking and are happy to check the option details closely
Book This TourPrices start from around £60 per adult in 2026 and vary by option and date; the booking page may show the fare in your home currency, so confirm the live price and inclusions before paying.
Is Parliament Interior Access Reliable?
Interior access to the Houses of Parliament is included only on specific options, and the Palace has its own opening pattern tied to whether Parliament is sitting. Availability shifts around debates, recesses and state events. Confirm your date on the booking page, and treat Parliament entry as option-dependent rather than guaranteed on every departure.
The Palace of Westminster is a working legislature, so public access to its interior follows the parliamentary calendar and security rules rather than fixed tourist hours — making the exact experience, Westminster Hall alone versus the chambers too, dependent on your date. Since Westminster Abbey has its own opening hours and is closed to sightseeing on Sundays, combo departures that include the Abbey run Monday to Saturday.
Practical Tips
Both buildings sit on Parliament Square, so walking between them is minimal, but security screening applies at each. Arrive a little early at the Westminster Abbey Shop meeting point, and bring photo ID in case Parliament entry requires it. A morning start helps you beat the Abbey’s midday crowds; to add other sights, our guide to nearby attractions maps out what’s within walking distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tour include both interiors?
Only certain options do. The fullest version includes a guided visit inside Westminster Abbey plus an audio-guided visit inside the Houses of Parliament. Other options cover just one building — there’s an Abbey-focused variant and a Parliament-only variant. Read the inclusions for your specific option before booking to be sure you’re getting both interiors if that’s what you want.
Is Westminster Abbey entry included?
Yes, in most options — the exception is the Parliament-only variant. On the shared-tour options a guide leads you inside the Abbey to see the Nave, Poets’ Corner, the Coronation Chair and the royal tombs. If you only want the Abbey and prefer to explore alone, a standalone entrance ticket with the included multimedia guide costs less.
How much does the combo cost in 2026?
Prices start from around £60 per adult in 2026, varying by option and date. Shorter, single-building options cost less than the full both-interiors version. The booking page may display the fare in your home currency, so confirm the exact pound price and the inclusions on the live listing before you pay.
How long does the tour take?
It ranges from about 75 minutes for a shorter single-building option up to around 4 hours for the fuller combined experience. The longer versions include guided time in both Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, plus the walk between them. Check the duration for the exact option you select.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is the Westminster Abbey Shop, just outside the Abbey on Parliament Square, a short walk from Westminster Underground station. Arrive a few minutes early to clear security. Our getting there guide explains the best routes to the area by Tube and bus.
Can I visit the Houses of Parliament on any day?
Not always. Public interior access to the Palace of Westminster depends on the parliamentary calendar — whether the Houses are sitting, in recess or hosting a state event — and on your tour option. That’s why availability changes by date. Confirm your chosen date on the booking page, and don’t assume every departure includes full chamber access.
Can I take this tour on a Sunday?
Departures that include a Westminster Abbey interior visit run Monday to Saturday, because the Abbey is closed to sightseeing on Sundays and open only for worship. Parliament also has limited public access on Sundays. If Sunday is your only free day, you can attend a free service at the Abbey instead, though it won’t include the guided combo.
What’s the cancellation policy?
The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. That flexibility matters here because both buildings can close at short notice — the Abbey for special services, Parliament for debates or state occasions. Confirm the exact terms for your option on the booking page before you commit.
Insider Tip
Both buildings sit on Parliament Square, so walking between them is minimal, but security screening applies at each. Arrive a little early at the Westminster Abbey Shop meeting point, and bring photo ID in case Parliament entry requires it. A morning start helps you beat the Abbey’s midday crowds; to add other sights, our guide to nearby attractions maps out what’s within walking distance.
