Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London,[1] and is generally extended to refer to the clock and the clock tower as well.[2] The clock tower holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and is the third-tallest free-standing clock tower.[3] It celebrated its 150th anniversary on 31 May 2009,[4] during which celebratory events took place.[5][6] The tower was completed in 1858 and has become one of the most prominent symbols of both London and England, often in the establishing shot of films set in the city.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the questions we get asked:
Q. Can the public visit Big Ben?
A. Find out how to climb the Clock Tower in Parliament's Visiting section.
Q. How many tours a day are there?
A. There are three tours each day from Monday to Friday.
Q. How many steps are there to the top of the Clock Tower?
A. There are 334 steps to the belfry and a total of 393 to the lantern (the Ayrton Light).
Q. Is it called St Stephen's Tower or the Clock Tower?
A. The name of the tower is the Clock Tower, not St Stephen's Tower. It was called St Stephen's Tower by Victorian journalists. They referred to anything to do with the House of Commons as news from 'St Stephens', as originally MP's used to sit in St Stephen's Hall.
Q. Why is the Clock Tower's bell called Big Ben?
A. The most likley explanation is it was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, First Commissioner for Works, whose name is inscribed on the bell. Another theory is it was named after Ben Caunt, a champion heavyweight boxer.
Q. What happens when the clocks go back or forward?
A. Learn all the steps involved by reading about the time change weekend.
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