Take an accessible tour

Book in advance

If you have accessibility needs,  contact us in advance about alternatives before you book and how we can best support you on your visit. 

• Call 020 7219 4114
• For Text phone dial 18001 followed by 020 7219 4114
• Email the Bookings team

Big Ben Tours

Accessible tours of Big Ben are designed for visitors who may find parts of the standard Big Ben tour challenging. The tour does not include use of the lift.  There is limited availability for these accessible tours. 

• You can see inside the Elizabeth Tower on our virtual tour and see what the stairs look on the further information before you book page. 

The acccessible tour is adaptive, which means the route and access will vary based on your needs. If your accessible tour request is successful, we will discuss with you which rooms you will be able to access including the belfry (which contains the bells, including Big Ben). 

To request an accessible tour, complete the online request form. This form lets you to tell us more about your needs, with an option for you to request a phone call with our team. You will find the available tour dates on the form.  

After your form has been submitted, we will contact you within two weeks.

If we are able to offer a tour slot, we will then organise a phone call. We will also let you know within two weeks if we were unable to accommodate your request.

• Learn more about the standard tour and how to book. 

Wheelchair and step-free access

Most of the tour route in the Palace of Westminster is step-free. There are steps at either end of St Stephen's Hall but an alternative route via a lift is available. 

Some parts of the tour route are narrow. We offer alternative viewing points to visitors who have larger, motorised wheelchairs.  

We have a limited number of wheelchairs which you can book in advance. To book a wheelchair:

• Call 020 7219 0516
• For Text phone dial 18001 followed by 020 7219 0516
• Email the Visitor Experience team

We are unable to provide a member of staff to escort you. If you need help, you may bring a companion free of charge but you will both need a ticket. 

There are few seating opportunities during a tour. If you need to sit down, please speak to your tour guide or one of the Visitor Assistants. We can provide a wheelchair or foldable museum chair during your visit. 

You can see inside the Palace of Westminster by going on a virtual tour or looking through photos on our Flickr album.

Induction loops and sign language

Induction loops are available at the Information Desk in Westminster Hall.  

If you have booked a multimedia tour, you can select an option with British Sign Language. This also includes English subtitles. If preferred, you can download the audio guide to your own device upon arrival at Westminster Hall. Use the link, download tour and select British Sign Language from the language options.

If you are taking a  Inside UK Parliament/Speaker’s House guided your, we can arrange a British Sign Language interpreter. As signers are in heavy demand, please provide as much notice as possible.  

To book a signer:

• Call 020 7219 4114 
• For Text phone dial 18001 followed by 020 7219 4114 
• Email the Bookings team 

Audio described multimedia tour 

Blind and partially sighted who have booked a multimedia tour can now enjoy an audio-described version of the tour, with vivid verbal descriptions of key spaces and features throughout the Palace of Westminster.

If preferred, you can download the audio guide to your own device upon arrival at Westminster Hall. Use the link, download audio guide and select Audio Description from the language options. Don’t forget to bring your own headphones.  

Taking a tour from home