MPs scrap plans to charge for Big Ben Clock Tower visits
Thursday, March 22, 2012 14:25UK residents can now tour Big Ben safe in the knowledge that they won’t have to pay an entry fee, well, not until 2015 at the earliest, after a House of Commons Commission plan to charge visitors for the privilege of visiting the Big Ben clock tower was scrapped.
The £15 fee was due to be introduced in July however, MPs blocked the plans, condemning them as ‘undemocratic’ and ‘fundamentally wrong’, with one MP arguing that Parliament was not a theme park.
Around 10,000 people take Big Ben tours every year.
Take a tour of Big Ben:
To take a tour of Big Ben’s clock tower, you must be a UK resident – only UK residents are permitted to visit the Clock Tower. To arrange a tour residents should request a visit through their local MP or a member of the House of Lords.
Visitors must be in good health and be capable of climbing 334 small, spiral steps – there’s no lift!
For more information visit here: www.parliament.uk/visiting/visiting-and-tours/ukvisitors/bigben/health/
