Normally, visitors to the Supreme Court next to Westminster Abbey are at the last chance saloon for whatever legal case they are arguing, but on Friday afternoons, the general public are also allowed in for a guided tour.
Technically, the public are allowed in to attend court cases, but this article is about the heritage tours instead.
The Supreme Court’s exterior looks proper ancient but is in fact barely 100 years old – being one the last of the great gothic-revival buildings, and was originally the Middlesex Guildhall. It was converted into the Supreme Court in 2005 when it was decided that the highest court in the land shouldn’t sit inside the House of Lords.
The tours take in the courtrooms, the workings of the Supreme Court, the background to its creation and some of the famous cases that have been heard there.
There’s also an exhibition space in the basement to visit.
Tours take place on Fridays at 2pm and last around an hour. They cost £10 per person, and at time of writing, are sold out until 20th May, so if you’re interested, it’s better to book a ticket sooner, as there’s evidently a long waiting list.
You can book tickets here.
