UK Parliament
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Westminster, London, , SW1A OAA
MONTHS OPEN
DAYS OPEN
AGE GROUPS SERVED
Listed under: Citizenship | Crime and Punishment | Sociology | Law | Storytelling | Special Educational Needs (SEN) | Historical Heritage | Historic Buildings | Day Trip Destinations | History | Politics
What we offer on a school trip
Visiting the UK Parliament Education Centre, your students will enjoy a unique learning experience at the Palace of Westminster where they will have a guided tour of the historical buildings and an interactive workshop. They’ll learn what happens at UK Parliament today and how they can get involved. It is completely FREE to visit, and eligible schools can even claim their travel costs back.
A visit to UK Parliament includes:
- A guided tour of the Palace of Westminster
- A curricula-linked workshop to best meet the group’s academic requirements
- Where possible, your group’s local MP will attend a Q&A session
Visit our Tours and Workshop page for more information on workshops. Check your school’s eligibility for a travel subsidy on our travel subsidy page.
What makes us a great choice for education
Your students will have an unforgettable learning experience at UK Parliament. They will stand inside famous spaces within the Palace of Westminster including the House of Commons Chamber, the House of Lords Chamber and Central Lobby.
Our curriculum-linked workshops help cement what students learn on their tour. These workshops are tailored to the age and attainment of your group. The workshop activities are led by UK Parliament's experienced Education and Engagement team and designed to teach students about laws, debating and how UK Parliament works. A generous travel subsidy means eligible schools can claim up to 75% of their travel costs back so schools from further afield can visit UK Parliament without the worry of travel costs.
We also have special programmes like the SEND quiet days (Special Education Needs and sisability), Home Education days, Youth Group days and Post 16 days.
What is typically included on our school trips
A free school trip to UK Parliament provides an unforgettable experience for pupils of all ages, where they can develop their understanding of democracy in the place where UK laws are made.
After a tour of UK Parliament, pupils discover more in a curricula-themed workshop inside our Education Centre where your local MP (subject to their availability) is invited to meet your group. Our standard programme is suitable for ages 7-18 and includes a tour and workshop which takes 2hrs 15 mins from start to finish. Students will go for a tour and then come back to the Education Centre for the interactive workshop. They also get a chance to meet their MP at the end of the workshops if the MPs are available. We do offer a tour only programme which takes 1hr 30 minutes.
We also have special programmes like the SEND quiet days (Special Education needs and disability), Home education days, Youth Group days and post 16 days.
Visit our Tours and Workshop page for more information on available workshops.
Group Sizes Catered For
Tours and workshops have a group size capacity of 36. The required minimum ratio of adults to pupils depends on students’ age:
Age 5-7: 1 adult to 7 pupils
Age 7-18: 1 adult to 15 pupils
You can book up to 108 visitors in each academic term. If you’re bringing more than 36 people, we’ll split your group across multiple timeslots.
Materials, Resources & Information Provided
There are lots of free resources available to order or download from the UK Parliament website. These are suitable for pupils aged 5 to post-16 and cover topics across the UK curricula, including elections, debating, British Values and the work and role of UK Parliament in our democracy.
These resources come in a variety of formats including worksheets, presentations, video lessons, podcasts and much more.
Download or order your free teaching resources.
The official Palace of Westminster Kid’s Handbook is available to purchase from our online shop.
Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions
There are two places on the tour route where you can take photos. Your guide will point these out during your tour.
Photos are also allowed in your workshop group inside the Education Centre, but please talk to your workshop leader beforehand.
Risk Assessment Details
Your safety when visiting Parliament is very important to us.
Please read our information on planning a safe visit. If you would like to speak to us about planning your visit, please call us on 020 7219 4496 or email engage@parliament.uk.
Education Officer Information
You can contact us on 020 7219 4496 or via email engage@parliament.uk.
Pricing Information
Our services are free to all UK schools; England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales and depending on your eligibility, we can offer a travel subsidy scheme.
The scheme allows eligible schools travelling from further afield to visit UK Parliament and claim up to 75% of their travel costs back.
Clothing Requirements
Please note that clothing with political or offensive slogans will not be permitted.
First Aid Information
We have a first aid station on site and there are members of the team who are first aid trained. Our security officers are first aid trained too.
Available Facilities
Parking: There are drop off points alongside UK Parliament, near Victoria Tower Gardens. We’re unable to provide parking spaces for security reasons. Details of available coach parking in central London can be found on the Transport for London website.
Lunch space: There will be shared lunch space available for 30 minutes after the end of your workshop. This only applies if you are doing a tour and workshop programme. The Education Centre is also next to Victoria Tower Gardens, which is ideal for a picnic.
Toilets: Toilets are available in the Education Centre and Westminster Hall. There are toilet facilities for wheelchair users in all buildings and along the visitor route.
Accessibility & Disabled Facilities
UK Parliament is accessible to wheelchair users but they take an alternative tour route at some points. Please let us know if there are wheelchair users or people with mobility needs in your group before your visit.
There are toilet facilities for wheelchair users in all buildings and along the visitor route.
We welcome pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
To discuss any adjustments your group needs, please call the UK Parliament Education Service on 020 7219 4496.
Opening Hours & Information
School visits to UK Parliament take place Monday to Friday during term time with morning and afternoon slots available. Please visit our Tours and Workshop page for more information on availability and how to book.
Other Information
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