Old Parliament House, Singapore, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Old Parliament House is a neoclassical building on the north bank of the Singapore River in Singapore, and it is the city's oldest surviving government building. It began in the 1820s as a merchant's house, later served as a courthouse and then as the seat of Parliament, and today it is an arts venue called The Arts House.

The story behind it

The house went up in the mid 1820s, designed by the architect George Coleman for a merchant. It was soon put to official use and became a courthouse, and the creators of our routes note that early capital cases were heard here in the late 1820s. The building kept a legal role for generations, and the courts moved out to a purpose-built home in 1939.

Its second life was political. After independence in 1965 it housed Singapore's Parliament, until a new Parliament House opened next door in the late 1990s. It was then restored and reopened in the early 2000s as The Arts House. The layers of law, government and culture are why the building matters far beyond its looks.

What to look for

• Study the symmetrical front with its columned portico, a clear example of the neoclassical style that early colonial Singapore favoured.
• Find the bronze elephant on the lawn in front, a gift from King Chulalongkorn of Siam during his 1871 visit to Singapore.
• Look at how the old building sits beside the newer Parliament House, which shows how the country's government outgrew its first home.
• Turn toward the river and notice the bridges and the skyline of the Civic District framing the building from the water's edge.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 15 to 30 minutes to see the exterior and the grounds. Plan longer if you want to catch an exhibition or performance inside.
• Go in the early morning or around sunset, when the light is softer and the riverside is cooler and less crowded.
• Check current opening hours and event listings before you go, since access to the interior depends on what is on.
• The Civic District is compact and walkable, so you can pair this stop with other nearby colonial buildings and the river promenade.

See it on a quest

Kid Quest: Solve the case of the lost senses in Singapore is a family-friendly way to see the area. You reach Old Parliament House on foot as one stop of a longer route, the app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle on the spot. One ticket covers the whole group.

Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Singapore suits anyone who likes a darker, detective-style walk. The route brings you to this courthouse-turned-parliament as part of a wider trail through the city, with the story of each place told as you get there and a puzzle to crack in front of you. One ticket covers the whole group.

Singapore Detective Mystery: Infiltrate a Secret Society. is a good fit if you enjoy intrigue while you explore. You walk to Old Parliament House as one stop among several, hear about it in the app, and solve a puzzle using what you see around you. One ticket covers the whole group.