"Thoroughly enjoyed our guided tour of this magnificent building."
"The guided tours last about an hour and fifteen minutes and are really interesting."
"Our guide Laura, was very good, thoughtful, answering questions and caring for those who needed that little extra help."
"Fantastic place. I had a guided tour it was worth it. I am a history nerd so it was great to hear a British man explaining the history of the place."
"Yes, the wait is long due to very high security clearances, and there are a lot of tour groups, but your patience is rewarded by an excellent tour by knowledgable guides."
"The tour was extremely interesting and it was fantastic to actually stand within the chambers."
"Really amazing place - to be standing behind the clock's face and to see the mechanism of Big Ben is an unforgettable experience."
Cons:
"Tours are unfortunately very limited, expensive and book out far in advance."
"Limited rooms are open to the visitors."
"pity that pictures are not allowed at all."
"So many restrictions were imposed."
"No photography inside."
"They let us schedule (and pay) for tour tickets on a day they weren’t open."
"It's a shame the current tour is currently hampered by maintenance to various statues."
Staff and Service
Pros:
"Our guide Laura, was very good, thoughtful, answering questions and caring for those who needed that little extra help."
"The staff here are brilliant. I had a minor panic that I'd left some items of mine behind whilst following the multimedia tour. They were generous and kind in assisting me to track them down."
"The whole staff was very friendly on both days."
"Received a wonderful school tour from a guide named ‘Sophie’ who was interesting, informative and patient."
"The guide, Kate, was extremely knowledgeable and had a wonderful style."
"Our guide was so informative and animated. He made the tour extremely interesting and was obviously very proud of his position."
"EVERYONE (from the first to the last) working on that day, could not have been more helpful, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable."
Cons:
"The staff who is giving the visitor badge has a horrible attitude to visitors."
"The guide was Ros Caldecott. She was very very rud ☹️."
"Train the security guy working there yesterday... The attitude stinks and won’t be put up with."
"Nasty toilets, definitely not clean... Probably they are still keeping Richard's the First standards..."
Architecture and History
Pros:
"The Palace is one of the centres of political life in the United Kingdom; 'Westminster' has become a metonym for the UK Parliament and the British Government."
"I couldn't recommend this place highly enough, the beauty, history and art the place holds has a real presence from when you walk through the door."
"The detail in the architecture is just lovely."
"So much of British history packed into this place!"
"It's very decorative and steeped in history and each hall, archway, painting, statue, artwork etc just seems perfectly designed and placed."
"The Palace of Westminster, a marvel of Gothic architecture, commands attention along the River Thames."
"The architect Charles Barry won with a design for new buildings in the Gothic Revival style, specifically inspired by the English Perpendicular Gothic style of the 14th–16th centuries."
Cons:
"The Palace is mostly under wraps."
"Great Gothic building, but Big Ben in scaffolding."
"Unfortunately Big Ben is under scaffolding for much needed repairs."
"Just a shame there is currently a lot of improvement and restoration work going on at the minute so a lot of the building is shrouded in scaffolding."
"A large part of the building, including Big Ben, was under renovation during our visit."
"Most of the palace is currently under renovation."
"Various bits are currently hidden behind protective hoardings due to ongoing maintenance."
Accessibility and Facilities
Pros:
"Additionally, I have never experienced a disabled toilet that could be used for visually impaired people."
"There are several ways to enter the iconic palace resting along the river Thames, across from the London Eye."
"The medieval Westminster Hall and the TV famous central lobby are freely accessed once you have been through security."
"Major conservation work has taken place since then to reverse the effects of London's air pollution."
"If you write to your local MP you also get the tour for free."
"Required disable access for one of my party and that was very well accommodated."
"Refreshing that you can visit here at anytime, within reason, and ask to see your MP in the lobby."
Cons:
"pity that pictures are not allowed at all."
"No photography inside."
"Sadly you can’t record (photos, videos) inside the best parts of the palace."
"Be advised photography is only allowed in certain areas; sadly the actual parliamentary chambers are some of the rooms where no photography is permitted."
"Photography is only allowed in the 1st two rooms of the tour."
"No allowed to take pictures in some areas."
"Just such a pity that photography is not permitted, as it's such a beautiful place, but understandable nevertheless."