The Visit Parliament team has taken a replica House of Commons green bench on a whistle-stop tour of London to highlight that Parliament is open to UK and overseas visitors.
On 1 September the replica green bench visited Wembley Stadium, the Royal Albert Hall and Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square. The bench will appear at other events and exhibitions in the coming months.
The bench spent about an hour pitch-side at Wembley Stadium and then on the south steps outside the Royal Albert Hall. Finally, the bench was placed in the foyer of the Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square for an overnight stay where it quickly became a popular meeting place for the hotel’s guests.
The green benches of the House of Commons were designed by Giles Gilbert Scott when rebuilding the Commons after the Second World War. Benches in the Commons Chamber have been green for at least three hundred years, to contrast with the red benches in the House of Lords Chamber.
Ian Lacey, Visit Parliament’s Marketing & Travel Trade Manager, commented; “We wanted to do something different to highlight that the Houses of Parliament are open to visitors all year round. Taking the replica bench on a tour of London venues was only possible because of the fantastic support we received from our hosts at Wembley Stadium Tours and the Football Association, Royal Albert Hall Tours and Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square.”
Individual visitors and groups can choose between the Blue Badge Guide-led tours and the self-guided audio tour option. Discounted group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Stylish afternoon tea in one of Parliament’s riverside rooms can be added on most of the tour dates.
Booking information
Tickets can now be booked for Saturdays until the end of February 2017 and most weekdays between 16 September and 7 October 2016 by calling Parliament’s Booking Team on +44 (0)20 7219 4114 or online at www.parliament.uk/visit.
