Planning your visit
This page provides information on accessibility arrangements and facilities at Parliament Buildings to help you to plan your visit.
Find information on how to make this webpage more accessible, for example, by changing font size.
Easy Read
You can also view or download our Easy Read guide on visiting Parliament Buildings.
Where is the Parliament Buildings?
Parliament Buildings in the Stormont Estate in Belfast.
When is it open?
Parliament Buildings is open to the public from 9:00AM to 4:00PM, Monday to Friday except on public and bank holidays.
Are there any guided tours?
Yes. The timing and availability of tours varies depending on the time of year. For latest tour times, please visit our 'Visit Parliament Buildings' homepage.
You can book tickets via Eventbrite using this link.
For more information on public tours follow this link.
Can I go to the public galleries in the Assembly Chamber or Committee Rooms?
The public galleries for the Assembly Chamber and the Committee Rooms are open to the public.
For further details on visitor conduct and behaviour when attending Plenary or Committee meetings, please read the appropriate section of our 'Conduct and Behaviour of Visitors in Parliament Buildings' policy.
Plenary and committee meetings are also live streamed on our TV site niassembly.tv. On the TV site you can also watch previous meetings and other archive footage.
Getting here
Parliament Buildings is the home of the Northern Ireland Assembly and is situated in the Stormont Estate. Find out more about how to get to Parliament Buildings.
Parking
Visitors at Parliament Buildings can use the main car park, which is free of charge. The car park is located to the right of Parliament Buildings and is signposted.
The car park also contains two electric car charging points and one e-bike charging point.
Disability parking
A number of parking spaces for blue badge holders are available in the upper car park at Parliament Buildings. To arrange parking, please contact our Usher Services office before your visit:
Telephone: 028 9052 1900
Email: usherservicesdl@niassembly.gov.uk
Security check
All visitors to Parliament Buildings must go through a security check. You will pass through the main search facility on your way to Parliament Buildings from the main car park. Visitors using the disability parking bays (located in the upper car park) will go through a security check when entering the building.
Wheelchair access
Wheelchair access is via the ramps at the front entrance to Parliament Buildings, and ramps at the east and west doors. The Public Gallery of the Assembly Chamber has a viewing gallery with space for up to three wheelchair users. There are also spaces for wheelchairs in the gallery areas of Committee rooms. Wheelchairs are available at the east and west receptions.
Visitors with a visual impairment
A Braille tour guide is available, which includes a tactile map of the entrance, Great Hall, and the Assembly and Senate Chambers. A copy of the Braille guide can be borrowed from reception, and our Events team and Education Officers also hold copies. Guiding support is also available - speak to a member of staff.
The Assembly welcomes guide dogs in the Building. Water bowls are available from the reception desk.
Access video
We have created a video showing how to get to Parliament Buildings, what the security check involves and what to expect during your visit. This video was created for visitors on the autism spectrum, but others wishing to plan their visit may find it useful, too.
To view the video in fullscreen, please watch it on our Vimeo channel [EXTERNAL LINK].
Visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing
The Assembly was proud to hold the 'Louder than Words' charter mark for over 12 years. However, in February 2022 the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) advised the Assembly that it had made some changes, and as a result this accreditation is no longer available to organisations. Nevertheless, the Assembly continues to adhere to the standards of the accreditation and to provide excellent levels of service and accessibility to building users and employees who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Assembly also continues its excellent relationship with RNID for advice, training and equipment.
Find out where hearing loops have been installed throughout the building.
For tours of Parliament Buildings, a Hearing Helper radio system is available for people who are hard of hearing or those in large groups and a signed tour in British and Irish sign language is also available on request. Visitors who wish to request a British or Irish sign language interpreter or avail of the Hearing Helper radio system should contact the Events Office at least 14 days in advance of their visit, either by telephone on 028 905 21802 or by email events.office@niassembly.gov.uk.
In the Assembly Chamber Executive Question Time is signed by a British and Irish sign language interpreter.
Visitors with autism
In 2012, the Assembly was awarded an Autism Access Award by the National Autistic Society for its work to make Parliament Buildings autism-friendly. Read the guidelines for achieving the Autism Friendly Award.
The Assembly has 11 trained autism champions who are available to help visitors during their visit.
A quiet room is located behind the reception desk Read more information on the sights, sounds and smells that people may encounter during their visit.
Public tours
Public tours are available Monday to Friday (excluding public and bank holidays). They are at 11:00AM and 2:00PM and you need to book a ticket.
When running tours generally last about 45 minutes, and all tours are fully accessible for wheelchair users and people with assistance dogs. A Braille tour script is available at reception.
A Hearing Helper radio system is available for people who are hard of hearing or large groups, and a signed tour in British and Irish sign language is also available. Visitors taking the tour can also request a sign language interpreter. The Events Office will need to know about this before your visit, so please contact staff by telephone on 028 905 21802 or email events.office@niassembly.gov.uk
Events and functions
If you are attending an event or function at Parliament Buildings and have questions about accessibility arrangements, please contact our Events team on (028) 9052 1802 or email events.office@niassembly.gov.uk
Education Service
If you have arranged your visit through the Education Service, you can contact one of our Education Officers to discuss your accessibility needs. When you arrive at Parliament Buildings one of our Education Officers will come to meet you. The Education Officers can be contacted by email or telephone and our website has some useful information for visitors.
Telephone: 028 9052 1833
Email: education.service@niassembly.gov.uk
Website: http://education.niassembly.gov.uk/
Accessible toilets
Accessible toilets are available throughout the building. Staff will show you where they are.
Changing Places toilet
There is a Changing Places toilet on the ground floor. Changing Places toilets are different to standard accessible toilets as they have extra features and more space.
Features in this toilet include a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench; a tracking hoist system; and adequate space for the disabled person and up to two carers.
Baby changing facilities
Baby changing facilities are available throughout Parliament Buildings.
Assistance Dogs
The Assembly welcomes assistance dogs in the Building. Water bowls are available from the reception desk.
Refreshments
The ‘Speaker’s Corner’ coffee shop is located on the ground floor and is fully accessible. A member of staff will show you where it is.
Breastfeeding welcome here
The Northern Ireland Assembly is a member of the Breastfeeding Welcome Here Scheme.
Inclusive Customer Service Policy
This policy provides more detailed information on accessibility arrangements at Parliament Buildings, including information for witnesses giving evidence at Committees, as well as information on accessible formats. View further information on the policy.
Privacy Notices
Please view our privacy notices in relation to visiting Parliament Buildings and how your personal data will be processed:
Busy and quiet periods
The building can be very busy and noisy, especially on Mondays and Tuesdays, which are the days when the Assembly sits. Committees usually meet on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with Fridays generally being the quietest day of the week, although this will depend on what exhibitions and events are on.
You can check our business diary to see what meetings and sittings are on at the Assembly.
On sitting days in particular, the car park may fill up quickly, so visitors may be asked to park elsewhere, for example, on Prince of Wales Avenue. Please allow additional time to get to and from your car on sitting days. Parking for blue badge holders should always be arranged in advance – contact details are in the ‘Disability Parking’ section at the top of the page.
The Assembly is quieter during recess periods. There are four recess periods a year: Easter, Summer, Halloween and Christmas. Find the latest information on recess dates.
Assisting and supporting transgender visitors and other users of Parliament Buildings
All visitors to and users of Parliament Buildings have a right to be treated with equality and dignity, and to be free from harassment and inappropriate behaviour.
The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (the ‘Assembly Commission’) is committed to equality of opportunity and to creating an environment where everyone is treated with respect.
Additional help
If you have questions about any other aspect of your visit, or you wish to send us some feedback on your visit, please contact the Communications Office:
Telephone: 028 9052 1137 (line available between the hours of 10am and 4pm)
Email: info@niassembly.gov.uk
Textphone: 028 9052 1209