Choose by what you want to see
The Houses of Parliament are not a museum with daily opening hours. A tour, a debate and Prime Minister's Questions are three different plans, and each has its own best time. Decide which one you want first, then pick the date.
This site is an independent guide and is not run by Parliament. For any date, check the day's schedule before you travel.
When to go for each kind of visit
A tour and a debate rarely suit the same day.
| You want to | Best time | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| See the Palace on a tour | Saturdays, or recess weekdays | Not every Saturday is guaranteed. Parliament's own use can change a date at short notice. |
| Watch a debate | A sitting day, usually Monday to Thursday | Galleries are closed in recess. Check the day's calendar. |
| See Prime Minister's Questions | Wednesday at 12:00 in sitting weeks | Tickets are for UK residents. Others can queue, with no guarantee of a seat. |
| See Westminster Hall debates | Monday to Thursday, check the day | Times vary from day to day, so use the daily calendar. |
Tours and debates are different planning goals. A recess weekday is a good time for a tour but has no debate. A sitting Wednesday has debate and PMQs but usually no regular tour. Pick one as your main aim.
2026 recess dates
During recess the galleries are closed because neither House sits.
| Recess | House of Commons | House of Lords |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | 17 July to 31 August | 24 July to 31 August |
| Conference | 16 September to 11 October | 18 September to 11 October |
| Autumn (announced) | 5 to 9 November | 5 to 6 November |
| Christmas | 18 December 2026 to 4 January 2027 | 18 December 2026 to 4 January 2027 |
A recess date does not guarantee that tours run on every day it covers. Check the tour calendar for your date.
Houses of Parliament and Westminster tours
Guided tours, audio tours and walks around Westminster, with live prices and availability.
Time of day
Prime Minister's Questions start at 12:00 on Wednesdays. On a normal sitting Wednesday the Commons gallery opens from 11:30. Galleries need a queue, and the wait is often 1 to 2 hours, usually less for the Lords. A debate is free, and no wait time is guaranteed.
For a tour, book the slot first and then plan the rest of the day. Arrive at least 20 minutes before your ticket time for the security check, and allow longer on busy Monday to Wednesday afternoons.
Westminster Abbey is open on Saturdays from 09:00 and on weekdays from 09:30, but not for sightseeing on Sundays. A Saturday suits a Parliament tour and the Abbey together.
Weather by month
Long-term averages for London from the Heathrow weather station, 1991 to 2020. This is a climate guide, not a forecast for 2026.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.4 °C | 2.7 °C | 58.8 mm |
| February | 9.0 °C | 2.7 °C | 45.0 mm |
| March | 11.7 °C | 4.1 °C | 38.8 mm |
| April | 15.0 °C | 6.0 °C | 42.3 mm |
| May | 18.4 °C | 9.1 °C | 45.9 mm |
| June | 21.6 °C | 12.0 °C | 47.3 mm |
| July | 23.9 °C | 14.2 °C | 45.8 mm |
| August | 23.4 °C | 14.1 °C | 52.8 mm |
| September | 20.2 °C | 11.6 °C | 49.6 mm |
| October | 15.8 °C | 8.8 °C | 65.1 mm |
| Autumn (announced) | 11.5 °C | 5.3 °C | 66.6 mm |
| December | 8.8 °C | 3.1 °C | 57.1 mm |
July and August have the highest average daytime temperatures, and March has the lowest average monthly rainfall. That does not make any month dry. Most of the visit is indoors, so the sitting calendar matters more than the weather. For the queue outside and the walk in Westminster, pack a layer and something for rain.
Plan the rest of your visit
Once you know the date.
Guided and audio tours
What each tour includes and how long it takes.
Watch a debate
Free galleries, sitting hours and the queue.
Prime Minister's Questions
How UK residents and other visitors get in.
If you are also visiting the royal palace, see the best time to visit Buckingham Palace.
Best time to visit the Houses of Parliament: frequently asked questions
What is the best day for a tour?
Saturdays all year, and Monday to Saturday in recess in general. Not every Saturday is guaranteed, because Parliament's own use can change a route or a date at short notice.
When can I watch a debate?
On sitting days, usually Monday to Thursday and on some Fridays. The galleries are not open in a recess when neither House sits, so check the day's calendar.
When is Prime Minister's Questions?
Wednesday at 12:00 in the Commons, in sitting weeks. It does not run during recess.
What is the best month to visit?
There is no single best month. July and August are the warmest and March has the least rain on average. Choose a month by the Parliament calendar, not by the weather alone.
Can I visit on a Sunday?
Regular tours are scheduled for Saturdays and, in recess, Monday to Saturday. Westminster Abbey holds services instead of sightseeing. Plan Parliament and the Abbey for a Saturday or a weekday.