Contemporary portraiture in Portcullis House tours

What does the tour cover?

This is an opportunity to see inside Portcullis House, the only new building commissioned by Parliament since the Palace of Westminster in the 19th century. It was designed by leading British architect Michael Hopkins and officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen in February 2001.

Portcullis House is the home of the House of Commons contemporary portrait collection. This unique collection of art records leading Parliamentarians in paintings, works on paper and photographs. The collection reflects a diversity of styles and approaches by leading UK based artists working over the last 50 years. All the works were commissioned or acquired by the Works of Art Committee.

The tours take about 75 minutes and include a visit to the first floor Committee Corridor of Portcullis House.

• Some of the portraits of 20th Century Parliamentarians
• Some of the portraits of 21st Century Parliamentarians
• Virtual tour: Portcullis House  

Times and availability 

Tours are available at 9.45am, 11.30am, 2.15pm and 4pm on the following days in 2013:

• Friday 21 June
• Friday 5 July
• Friday 19 July
• Monday 5 August
• Monday 12 August
• Monday 19 August
• Monday 23 September
• Friday 11 October

Due to restricted space around the portraits, tour groups are limited to 15 people so early booking is advised.

Booking

Tickets for tours can be booked:

• Online on the ticketmaster website
• By telephone on 0844 847 1672 (calling from the UK)
• By telephone on 44 161 425 8777 (calling from outside the UK)
• Group tickets can be booked via the group booking line on 0844 847 2498

Ticket prices

• Adults: £16.50
• Concessions (students, over 60s and members of the armed forces): £14
• Group rates (for groups of 10 or more): £13
• Disabled visitors: Standard prices as listed above (carers have free admission, but will require a ticket for entrance)

Image credit: The Rt. Hon. Tony Benn, acrylic on canvas by Andrew Tift, 1998, WOA 4761.