UPDATE – the preview tours are now finished, but public tours have now started – details here.

—

It’s now possible to climb to the top of the Elizabeth Tower and stand in ear-banging distance of Big Ben as it bongs the hours.

Following its restoration, these are preview tours, and will lead you up a narrow 334-step spiral stairwell to the Belfry where Big Ben, the Great Bell, hangs. Along the route, your guide will reveal details of the most extensive and complex conservation project in Big Ben’s 160 years.

On this preview tour you will see the inner workings of the clock mechanism, walk behind the dials, each spanning 6.9m in diameter – and best of all… stand next to the world-famous Big Ben as it strikes the hour.

Having been up there before, I can say that although Big Ben is loud, as you’d expect, it’s the quarter bells that make you jump in fright, and the heavy tolling of Big Ben is deeper and not as scary, but much more powerful and moving to stand close to.

This limited tour in English is offered at a reduced rate of £10 and is a rare opportunity to see inside the Tower while the UK Parliament put the finishing touches on the exhibition elements ahead of the official reopening this summer.

Tickets for the preview tours need to be booked in advance from here (ALREADY SOLD OUT – SORRY!) and they will take place on selected dates in April, May and June.

Visitors must be aged 11 and over and be comfortable climbing 300+ steps and experiencing high noise levels from the clock mechanism and bells – ear defenders will be provided. The total tour duration is 90 minutes and toilet facilities are available at the beginning and end of the tour only. Due to the constraints of the Tower, accessible tours including step-free access are not currently available as part of these preview tours.

You are also welcome to explore the medieval Westminster Hall after your visit to the Elizabeth Tower.

It used to be possible to arrange a tour of the Clock Tower as it was called back then, but only by writing to your MP, and while the tours were free, the thought of writing to an MP can be daunting for many people, so offering them at a modest charge via a website is going to open up the tours to vastly more people.

NEWSLETTER

Be the first to know what's on in London, and the latest news published on ianVisits.

You can unsubscribe at any time from my weekly emails.

Tagged with: ,
SUPPORT THIS WEBSITE

This website has been running now for over a decade, and while advertising revenue contributes to funding the website, it doesn't cover the costs. That is why I have set up a facility with DonorBox where you can contribute to the costs of the website and time invested in writing and research for the news articles.

It's very similar to the way The Guardian and many smaller websites are now seeking to generate an income in the face of rising costs and declining advertising.

Whether it's a one-off donation or a regular giver, every additional support goes a long way to covering the running costs of this website, and keeping you regularly topped up doses of Londony news and facts.

If you like what you read on here, then please support the website here.

Thank you

3 comments
  1. Gracie Packwood says:
    8 April 2023 at 2:41 pm

    Any plans for August tours at this time?

  2. Pamela Simmister says:
    20 April 2023 at 12:51 pm

    I’d like to book tickets for a visit to the Elizabeth Tower in November Is this possible?

  3. Ronnie says:
    30 May 2023 at 5:43 pm

    I just booked a ticket in June they must have added more.

    Thanks!

Home >> News >> London Ticket Alert