Big Ben
Westminster London SW1A 0AA
The official UK Parliament website is the best place to check for tour availability and to book tickets.
Tube: Westminster Victoria, Charing Cross and Waterloo are also close by. For more details on how to get there, please visit their website.
90mins
Based on 19 reviews
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If they’re 11+, yes. It’s a 90-minute tour packed with bells, facts and history. Just be warned: it’s 334 steps with no lift, so it’s not ideal for little legs or tired grown-ups. For younger kids, go for a flat Parliament tour instead – still fun, and less stair-related drama.
All ages. Younger kids love the outside, older ones will enjoy the history and photo ops, and tweens and teens (11+) can do the full tower tour.
Head to Westminster Bridge for a classic shot, or pose next to the red phone box on Great George Street for double the British icons in one snap.
Weekday mornings are quieter, while early evenings offer a magical view when the clock face lights up. Less crowd, more wow.
Yes for the outside, no for the tower tour. The surrounding area is smooth and accessible, but the inside tour has stairs only – no lifts or ramps.
Yes. Try Westminster Underground Station or the Houses of Parliament Visitor Centre – ideal for the inevitable mid-sightseeing “I need a wee!”
Head to Victoria Tower Gardens for peaceful riverside views, or wander to St. James’s Park for playgrounds, ducks, and wide-open space.
Visit the Parliamentary Education Centre, where kids can explore politics with hands-on exhibits and pressable buttons (always a win).
Yes, especially for the Elizabeth Tower tour. Tickets are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment (and potential meltdowns).
About Big Ben
Big Ben isn’t just a clock, it’s the clock. Towering over Westminster since 1859, it’s one of London’s most iconic landmarks and a must-see for any family exploring the capital. Whether your kids are tiny tot sightseers or teen history buffs, Big Ben delivers serious wow-factor.
While the inside tour of the Elizabeth Tower is only open to kids aged 11+, the real show is outside. Stand beneath its 96 metres of historic splendour, listen to the hourly chimes, and grab a family photo that’ll beat any postcard. If your little ones aren’t up for climbing 334 steps, don’t worry, Big Ben looks just as impressive from the ground (and your legs will thank you).
Combine your visit with a picnic in nearby Victoria Tower Gardens, spot ducks in St. James’s Park, or get hands-on with buttons and exhibits in the Parliamentary Education Centre.
Top tip from the KidRated team:
Got under-11s? Skip the stairs and admire the tower from the outside. It’s big, it’s beautiful, and bonus, you can still breathe normally.
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As of April 2022, there's still scaffolding on Elizabeth Tower, but it's still an impressive sight. The clock face is now clear of scaffolding. We were unprepared for how massive it is. I might wait to visit until it's been fully restored, but it's incredible to hear Big Ben (the bell inside) ring on the hour - you can practically feel it. There are a lot of interesting facts about the building that are engaging for young visitors, such as the height of Elizabeth Tower is the same as 22 double decker buses stacked on top of each other and the clock face being 7 meters in diameter. Another being that it's really the large bell inside that's called Big Ben, not the whole tower. It's a beautiful sight and I hope that the scaffolding comes down soon so that it's even more impressive for all to see.