Information for Members
of both Houses and pass
holders escorting
visitors with disabilities
This leaflet is to help inform visitors who
are guests of Members of the House of
Commons or the House of Lords and pass
holders to the Parliamentary Estate. Visitors
may attend debates, observe committee
hearings, attend functions to which they
have been invited and tour the building.
Palace of Westminster
Portcullis House
Security
Arriving
To ensure that Parliament remains accessible to the public,
simple security guidelines have been implemented. Visitors
should take note of them before and during their visit.
Search regimes, similar to those used in airports, will be
conducted on entry.
Visitors will enter the Parliamentary Estate through the Cromwell
Green entrance.
A pass will be issued which must be worn whilst on the
Parliamentary Estate.
Mobile phones must be switched off.
Cameras, camera phones and video recording equipment
cannot be used except in Westminster Hall.
There are no parking facilities on the Parliamentary Estate for
visitors except in extremely special circumstances. Parking is
available in Abingdon Car Park, which has disabled bays. Details
of this facility can be found at http://www.westminster.gov.uk/
services/transportandstreets/parking/masterpark/abingdon/
T: 0800 243 348 or 020 7641 3291
...at the Palace of Westminster
Coaches and cars may set down visitors near Victoria Tower and
Black Rod’s Garden entrance.
...at Portcullis House
Coaches and cars may set down visitors on Victoria Embankment
near the main entrance.
Portcullis House
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The Palace of Westminster
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Passenger lift
Wheelchair Route
Wheelchair accessible lavatory
Wheelchair accessible lavatory
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Details of how to book a tour can be found at
http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/visitingandtours/tours.cfm
The Central Tours office (020 7219 3003) can advise if there are
any specific questions or particular arrangements that need to be
made, e.g. provision of wheelchairs.
Female lavatory
Male lavatory
Mobility impaired
persons refuge and
communication point*
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off the Peers’ Lobby*;
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in the Lower Waiting Hall;
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Those marked * are not in public areas.
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off the Upper Committee Corridor;
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*Further refuge and communication points are
located on the NE and SW corners of the upper floors
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A small number of manual
wheelchairs are available for visitor
use and can be booked in advance
by contacting the Service Centre on
020 7219 4226.
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*All lifts shown on this map are
suitable for emergency evacuation
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Auditory assistance
For visitors with appropriate hearing
aids, there are induction loop
systems throughout the Public
Galleries and Committee Rooms in
both Houses. There are also induction
loops in the main dining rooms.
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off the Committee Corridor (Commons);
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on the riverfront area, near the dining rooms;
second to fifth floors Portcullis House in the north-east and
south-west corner*.
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off the Peers’ Cloakroom (near the Cholmondeley Room);
first floor, Portcullis House;
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Lavatories suitable for unaccompanied wheelchair users are situated:
in Portcullis House atrium*;
Wheelchairs that are manually
operated or small electric chairs
can be accommodated. It is
recommended that visitors using
larger chairs check with the
sponsor/organiser of their visit or
call the Events team (020 7219
3090) for further advice.
MM
Accessible lavatories
adjacent to the Jubilee Cafeteria;
ST
Wheelchair accessible
lifts*
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Facilities
in Parliamentary Archives*;
FIR
Induction loop area
The Visitor Route
off the Committee Corridor (Lords);
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Wheelchairs
4A
95
Visitors will be in a group and accompanied by a guide during the
75-minute tour.
The Visitor Route is wheelchair accessible with the exception of
St. Stephen’s Hall, which can be viewed from the Central Lobby.
Lifts are available for visitors who find stairs difficult. Please note
that there are few opportunities for sitting during the tour.
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Female lavatory
Male lavatory
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Tours
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FLO
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With advance notice, facilities can
be provided in the Public Galleries
or Committee Rooms should visitors
wish to bring interpreters.
Attending debates
There are no impediments to visitors with guide
dogs attending the Public Gallery of either
House or witnessing public committees. Staff
on duty will direct visitors to suitable seating.
A guidebook in Braille is available on request.
...in the House of Lords
Two spaces for wheelchair users are available below the Bar.
Application should be made to Black Rod’s office to ensure
availability (020 7219 3100).
...in the House of Commons
Wheelchair users can be accommodated at the back of the Public
Gallery. Escorted access to the Public Gallery is by Lift No 1 from
the Ground Floor via Star Chamber Court.
Access to the Committee Rooms
and Central Lobby
Lifts are available for visitors who find stairs difficult and want to access
the Committee Rooms, Central Lobby and other areas on the upper
floors. Since they are within the secure area, visitors will need to be
escorted. Please contact the Events team (020 7219 3090) prior to the
visit, if a number of visitors in a group will require use of the lift.
…in Portcullis House
Visitors to the Committee Rooms will be directed by security to the
first floor. Display screens are situated outside the rooms and in the
corridors.
Attending functions
…in the House of Lords
Provided the House of Lords Banqueting office has given prior agreement,
vehicles will enter via Black Rod’s Garden entrance and passengers will
be set down at the ramp in Royal Court. In exceptional circumstances,
parking may be available in Black Rod’s Garden.
The Banqueting office (020 7219 3356) will require the names
of the driver and passengers, the vehicle’s make, colour and
registration number.
…. in the House of Commons
Special arrangements may sometimes be made for those visitors who
need to be dropped off by vehicle. The Serjeant at Arms office will
endeavour to make these arrangements, but there are no car parking
facilities for visitors (020 7219 3030).