Add dates

Houses of Parliament

Houses of Parliament: Our most recommended tours and activities

London: Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise

1. London: Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise

Admire the views of London's most iconic sights with a cruise on the River Thames. Cruise to Greenwich to see London's historical sights from the River Thames. Journey past iconic sights such as the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, and the Tate Modern. Choose between either a one-way or round-trip journey, with skip-the-line entry, and avoid the queues at the ticket office as you go straight to board the boat. Listen to the downloadable audio commentary on your smartphone as you enjoy the comfort of a modern but traditional vessel. Admire the pyramid structure of The Shard and see other monuments from London's historic waterway. Head to the open deck for panoramic views of London's landmarks. Stop at Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, and Tower Bridge Quay before arriving at Greenwich Pier. Feel free to explore the charms of Greenwich on your own terms, and see sights such as Greenwich Market, the Cutty Sark, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich Park, and the Royal Observatory which are all within easy walking distance from the pier.

London: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing-Tour

2. London: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing-Tour

Explore London on a convenient hop-on hop-off bus tour. Learn about the city's history, culture, and architecture from onboard audio commentary and enjoy the panoramic views offered by the open-topped bus. Your ticket also includes a shuttle service route. Visit all of London's most important sights on a bus route with 36 stops, starting at Grosvenor Gardens and ending at Buckingham Palace. See Queen Elizabeth Gate in Hyde Park and the Thames Embankment. Travel across Westminster Bridge and catch a glimpse of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and the London Eye. See St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and Tower Bridge. Experience the glitz and glamour of London's West End as your tour bus heads to Leicester Square and finally, head to Buckingham Palace, the principal royal residence. Enjoy the flexibility of exploring the sights at your own pace. You can hop off at any of the 36 stops along 3 routes and explore the nearby sights. Purchase a 24, 48, or 72-hour ticket and enjoy a free cruise along the River Thames between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier. Pass under some of the city's most famous bridges and see London from the water. Red Route Bus Stops: Belvedere Road Aldwych (One Aldwych Hotel) Ludgate Hill (St Paul's Cathedral) Queen Victoria Street (The City) London Bridge Tooley Street (Tower Bridge) Tower Hill (Tower of London) Victoria Embankment Westminster Bridge (Big Ben) Horseferry Road Buckingham Gate (Buckingham Palace) - closed until further notice Buckingham Palace Road (Victoria Station) Buckingham Palace Road, Stop Z12 Grosvenor Gardens Queen Elizabeth Gate, Hyde Park Marble Arch (Speakers Corner) Marble Arch (Park Lane) Haymarket Pall Mall East (Trafalgar Square) Westminster Bridge (South) Green Route - Shuttle Service Belvedere Road, Stand 3788, behind the London Eye Aldwych, outside One Aldwych Hotel Southampton Row, Stop Y, for the British Museum Woburn Place, Stop H outside the Royal National Hotel Bedford Way, Stop BP 4580, behind the Royal National Hotel Southampton Row, Stop B, for the City Sightseeing shop and information center Lancaster Place, Somerset House, Stop B Blue Route Bus Stops: Marble Arch (Park Lane) Knightsbridge Royal Albert Hall Kensington Road Gloucester Road Victoria and Albert Museum Harrods Queen Elizabeth Gate, Hyde Park Marble Arch (Speakers' Corner)

London: Tootbus London Discovery Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

3. London: Tootbus London Discovery Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Experience the best of London in just one day with the Tootbus London tour. Board an open-top bus that takes you around the city, providing breathtaking views of top landmarks including the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, and more. You'll also see the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, St. James Palace, and other London highlights. Use the bus ride to make a hit list of places you want to explore, and then hop off at the nearest bus stop to delve deeper into each location. You could see the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, or climb the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral.  Food lovers can visit Borough Market, one of the best food markets in London, while those looking for a fun night out can head to Soho or take a ride on the London Eye. Enjoy an easy way to get from one landmark to another while audio commentary guides you across the city and gives you insights. If you're traveling with children, don't miss the child-friendly audio channel available in English and French, which will keep them entertained throughout the tour. Your ticket is valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours, depending on the option you choose, and you can hop on and off the bus an unlimited number of times during the validity period. So, come and explore the best of London on this hop-on hop-off bus tour. We have a stop just in front of Eurostar station as well.

London: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off, London Eye and River Cruise

4. London: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off, London Eye and River Cruise

Discover the best of London with a hop-on, hop-off tour on board an open-top, double-decker bus and enjoy a trip on the London Eye as part of your ticket. Enjoy a relaxing river cruise along the Thames as part of your ticket as well. A hop-on, hop-off tour is the ideal way to discover the best sights, landmarks, and attractions of London at your own pace. The tour gives you unlimited hop-on hop-off access, with stops strategically placed at top locations including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, and St Paul's Cathedral. Hop off the bus at Westminster Bridge to take an unforgettable ride on the London Eye Ferris Wheel. From the top, you'll take in the breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the city's impressive skyline. See the city's most famous sights including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from an unrivaled bird's eye view. Start your tour at any of the Big Bus stops. Popular starting points include the London Eye, Marble Arch, Victoria Station, and Trafalgar Square. With all ticket types, you can enjoy a boat cruise along the River Thames between the Tower of London to Westminster Pier (in either direction). Big Bus route highlights include: Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard Houses of Parliament Big Ben Westminster Abbey 10 Downing Street Whitehall Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street Regent Street Trafalgar Square London Eye London Dungeon Sea Life London Aquarium Madame Tussauds Covent Garden Bank of England Monument St Pauls Cathedral Tower of London Tower Bridge The Shard City Hall Lambeth Palace British Museum Marble Arch Mayfair Green Park Hyde Park Corner Harrods South Kensington Museums Kensington Palace Notting Hill.

London: Westminster Walking Tour with Churchill’s War Rooms

5. London: Westminster Walking Tour with Churchill’s War Rooms

Explore the World War II history of London’s Westminster district and discover the secret bunker that Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his government used during the German bombing campaigns. Home to undercover and often underground bases for governments in exile, Westminster suffered especially badly during the blitz and was awash with espionage. Your unique tour starts with a walk around some of London’s most historic sites, such as 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. End at the Cenotaph, built as a memorial to the First World War and now the UK’s primary national war memorial. Along the way, see the statue of Sir Winston Churchill and the monument to the Women of World War II, hear about governments and monarchs that were forced into exile in London as Germany overtook the nations of Europe and more. Then, it’s time to head to the wartime bunker of the Churchill War Rooms. Tour the Churchill Museum and learn about the maze of underground rooms that were used to plot and plan war strategies. Although your guide will not accompany you inside, you'll be able to browse the War Rooms at your leisure and hear fascinating facts from your audio guide as you wander round. Experience what life was like for those that worked in the dark rooms and how they deciphered enemy communications and created maps of the army’s movements. Learn about the primitive sun lamps that were used to get sufficient levels of vitamin D and how even the families of those that worked there couldn't know what they did for a living. Explore the legacy of Sir Winston Churchill and hear authentic audio of his inspiring wartime speeches. Discover fascinating stories about Churchill’s private and public life, from his love of his wife to his special relationship with President Roosevelt. You’ll even see the original door to 10 Downing Street that he walked through after becoming prime minister. The war rooms have been preserved exactly as they were on the day the lights were switched off in 1945, with signs that indicated the weather outside. As you venture deeper into the labyrinth, discover how life continued underground, from top-secret conversations between Churchill and Roosevelt in the Transatlantic Telephone Room, to simple domestic concerns in Churchill’s kitchen.

London: Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames

6. London: Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames

Experience an English tradition in style on this afternoon tea round-trip tour in London on board a comfortable river cruise vessel. Climb aboard the riverboat at Tower Pier near the Tower of London and set off downstream, passing sights such as Shakespeare’s Globe, the brand new Shard skyscraper and currently Europe’s tallest building, the London Eye, and Houses of Parliament. As you take in the sights, be served a fine array of delicious sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and a selection of traditional cakes. Enjoy unlimited tea and coffee with your meal. If you desire, treat yourself and purchase a glass of sparkling champagne. A bar is available throughout, offering a wide choice of soft and alcoholic drinks. Gain insight into new facts about London and its monuments from a sightseeing commentary as you enjoy a ringside seat from Old Father Thames.

London: Classic Gold 3.5-Hour Bike Tour

7. London: Classic Gold 3.5-Hour Bike Tour

Enjoy a 3.5-hour bike ride around the classic sights of London to see many of the city’s most historic sites. Meet your guide, then head off on your ride, hosted by London's original guided bicycle sightseeing tour. Starting at Big Ben, admire the Houses of Parliament across the river, and continue past Lambeth Palace to cross Lambeth Bridge. Cycle past small red brick houses lining the streets, which offer an enchanting contrast to the imposing historical monuments. Appreciate the belfry of Westminster Abbey. Then cycle over to St. James’s Park. Catch the pomp and pageantry of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Then head back to central London to walk safely through Trafalgar Square, with Lord Nelson looking down from his column. Cycle over to Covent Garden, and take a break to watch some street theater in the market’s central piazza. Then, climb back on your bike for the ride through London’s legal district, and over to the colorful Leather Lane Market and Smithfield’s Market, London’s lively meat market. Pass Wren’s amazing St Paul’s Cathedral, and cross back to the south side of the Thames on the famous Westminster Bridge for the end of the tour.

London: Westminster in WW2 and Churchill War Rooms Entrance

8. London: Westminster in WW2 and Churchill War Rooms Entrance

It’s time to go back to the 1940s. Big Ben no longer sounds. Air raid sirens are the norm. German bombing raids come under cover of darkness. The population lives with rations and restrictions. Many Brits lay down their lives in Europe and beyond. With your local expert guide, you will keep calm and carry on, learning about the British resolve and getting the inside scoop on the truth behind Westminster in wartime on this walking tour past important monuments like the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the Cenotaph, Ministry of War, 10 Downing Street and Whitehall. After your Westminster small group experience, bid your new-found friend and guide a fond farewell to descend into the War Rooms. At your own pace, discover the miles of strategic bunkers where Winston Churchill and his cabinet were to conduct their part in WW2. This unforgettable location is frozen in time and ready to be discovered once again.

London: River Thames Dinner Cruise

9. London: River Thames Dinner Cruise

Take a leisurely evening cruise through the heart of London to see its famous sights illuminated at night. In the summer, there is the added delight of watching the sun set from the water before the lights come alive! The 3-hour cruise from Westminster to the Thames Barrier and back starts with a welcome drink when you board. Follow your cocktail with a delicious 4-course dinner, plus entertainment from a live singer. This dinner cruise from the heart of London combines a great meal with cabaret and dancing. Sail past the modern landmarks of the O2 Arena, Canary Wharf, and City Hall, and continue as far as the monumental Thames Barrier flood defense before turning back to the Houses of Parliament. By the time darkness falls, dinner gives way to a cabaret singer performing tunes from West End Shows both past and present, along with other popular music. Although dancing is encouraged during and after the cabaret performance, if you prefer you can sit back and simply enjoy the music and floodlit sights. The cruise ends at the original starting point. A celebration fit for a King From Monday 17th April - Monday 8th May, City Cruises will be celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III. Expect decorated boats, special Royal-themed deserts, activities for children and more. Join us to mark this significant moment in UK history!

London: Classic Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

10. London: Classic Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

Capture the heart of the city’s culture, landmarks and history on this London bus tour, while sipping a lovely cup of tea and enjoying the exquisite tastes of England. Indulge in High Tea, which is accompanied by an array of tasty sandwiches and delicious cakes and pastries. Your London bus driver will take you round several iconic sites, such as Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St James’s Park, Hyde Park, The Royal Albert Hall, Marble Arch, Nelson’s Column, Downing Street and more. This sightseeing tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes depending on traffic. Nothing beats a good cuppa, so experience the beating heart of England like a local!

Available activities

154 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 10

Other Sightseeing Options in Houses of Parliament

Want to discover all there is to do in Houses of Parliament? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Houses of Parliament

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 21,631 reviews

Incredible! It was completely worth it, a very good and quite impressive experience. The cruise staff were quite friendly and they give you a guided tour. It was good to know from previous reviews that the cruise only covers one leg so we took the cruise to the London Eye and waited for our reservation time right there. Once the London Eye loop was over (amazing btw) we got on the bus around 3pm and used the bus until 5pm when the routes ran out, and still got up early and continued to use the bus the next day. (The bus lasts 24 hours, so we visited several places using the time we had left.) I highly recommend downloading the Big bus app to be able to see the routes and buses in real time. Incredible experience, we were 4 people

Our guide Connor was very friendly and entertaining. We learned a lot. We made sure to pick a day the Changing of the Guard was confirmed to take place on the schedule. Check here - https://changing-guard.com/dates-buckingham-palace.html . We got the Scotch Guard so the bagpipes were a' blazing. Got to hear Big Ben toll. Westminster Abbey at the end was amazing and unexpectedly there are a lot of royals buried inside in tombs and under your feet. Overall, it's worth the money.

The tour guide was so informative and funny - making it fascinating to be told all the facts as we passed the many landmarks. I honestly think his cockney commentary made the trip!! In one tour - we got to see and learn so much about London. Thankfully we had lovely weather and we all thoroughly enjoyed our excursion to Greenwich.

Our guide, Johnny, was awesome. We were late and told by the company that we would not be able to find him. However, God smiled upon us and we stumbled upon the group. He was great! So knowledgeable and fun!

Our tour was a great experience. Our guide was knowledgeable, experienced and entertaining. Highly recommend this tour.