Exclusive Houses of Parliament Tour with Guided Visit & Skip-the-Line Westminster Abbey Tour

The Houses of Parliament only open for tours on Saturdays and when Parliament is in recess, and even then, most groups go with only an audio guide. You, on the other hand, will enjoy this exclusive Houses of Parliament tour with a small group and an expert guide whose stories and commentary will enrich the experience immeasurably.

You'll start the day with a Westminster Abbey tour to see the church that has been the spiritual heart of England for hundreds of years. As you admire the jaw-dropping, gothic nave, your guide will point out the history and symbolism that are hidden in every corner. There are national heroes, like Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton buried in the crypts, stories of Royal Weddings floating around the altar, traditions, strange lore, and semi-secret societies hiding in every work of art. The history of the UK and its rulers is intimately linked to this building, so seeing it without the crowds is a real treat.

Next, you'll head across the street to begin your London Parliament tour in the oldest part of the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Hall. This ancient meeting place has been hosting political functions for nearly 1,000 years and still retains its original Medieval architecture. As you stand beneath the titanic timbers of the hammerbeam roof, your guide will introduce you to the history of the building, which has survived all manner of fire, upheaval, and even a Medieval terrorist plot. You'll also learn about Parliament's relationship with the monarchy as you peek into the antechamber in which the Queen dons her crown and ermine-trimmed cape before she opens the new sessions each year.

You'll also step into the Chamber of the House of Lords, the unelected Upper House, and one of the most impressive rooms in the palace. Membership used to be an entitlement of all hereditary peers, but these days there are only about 90 people who have inherited their titles and all the others are appointed experts in their fields. Your guide will tell you how and why this system changed, as well as the difficulties of modernizing a thoroughly ancient institution.

You won't just see the most famous rooms; we'll also show you around areas that even TV cameras don't visit, like the Division Lobbies, where the politicians divide themselves before a vote based on an old Roman tradition.

We couldn't leave without visiting the Chamber of the House of Commons, where Britain's elected Members of Parliament debate and vote on the laws that shape the country. This is the engine room of British democracy and one of the most exciting spots on your Houses of Parliament tour. The stories that have come from this place - from the abolition of slavery in Britain, to the decisions that drove the Brexit referendum, will make your hair stand on end. As an interesting twist, this is the one place on the British Isles that the Queen isn't allowed to enter, though the reason why might surprise you.

With each step you take on your Houses of Parliament tour you are moving through the living history of a building that has shaped world history for hundreds of years. There is simply no better way to soak up every bit of its history and mystique than by going with an expert guide whose stories and anecdotes will immerse you in the vibrant and tumultuous story of British politics.