History of Big Ben
The Elizabeth Tower was completed in 1859 as part of the new Palace of Westminster, built after the old medieval palace was destroyed by fire in 1834. The architect Charles Barry won the design competition for the new palace, and the tower's intricate Gothic Revival detailing was created by Augustus Pugin. The tower was one of the last works he completed before his death.
While many refer to the entire tower as "Big Ben," the name strictly belongs to the Great Bell housed inside. The bell was cast at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry and weighs 13.7 tonnes. The origin of the name is debated, but it is thought to refer to Sir Benjamin Hall, the Commissioner of Works at the time. The tower itself was originally called the Clock Tower and was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
The clock mechanism was designed by Edmund Beckett Denison and the clockmaker Edward John Dent. It has kept remarkably accurate time for over 160 years. The clock faces are 7 metres in diameter, and the minute hands are 4.3 metres long. The tower underwent a major restoration between 2017 and 2022, during which the scaffolding covering the tower became a familiar sight on the London skyline.
Big Ben Tours and Tickets
Visiting the inside of Big Ben is one of London's most exclusive experiences. Guided tours take visitors up 334 steps via a narrow spiral staircase through the tower's interior, past the Victorian prison room (where parliamentarians could be held for breaches of privilege), through the clock mechanism room where the original Victorian clockwork is still in operation, and up to the belfry where the Great Bell hangs.
Tickets are released three months in advance, on the second Wednesday of the month, via the UK Parliament website. They sell out within minutes, so it is essential to be ready the moment they go on sale. Tickets for the tour are £35 for adults and £20 for children. UK residents can also request free tours through their local MP, but these are obviously limited. The experience is available to visitors aged 11 and over. The climb is steep, and there is no lift, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. Ear protection is provided for when the bell strikes.
Big Ben Chimes
Big Ben's chimes are among the most recognisable sounds in the world. The Great Bell strikes on the hour, and four quarter bells chime every 15 minutes. The chiming sequence, known as the Westminster Quarters, was composed for the clock and has since been adopted by clocks and doorbells worldwide.
The chimes are broadcast live by the BBC as a time signal before news bulletins and are heard across Westminster. On New Year's Eve, the midnight chimes of Big Ben mark the start of the new year for millions of viewers and listeners. During the 2017–2022 restoration, the bells were largely silenced, and their return was widely celebrated.
Best Views and Photo Spots for Big Ben
The most famous view of Big Ben is from Westminster Bridge, looking north along the Thames towards the Elizabeth Tower and the Palace of Westminster. This is one of the most photographed views in London.
From the opposite bank of the Thames, the west side of the passage way under Westminster Bridge is a very popular spot for photography, and the whole South Bank walkway between Westminster Bridge and Lambeth Bridge provides unobstructed views of the full Palace of Westminster façade with Big Ben at the end. At night, the clock faces are illuminated, and the tower is floodlit, making it one of London's best nighttime photography spots.
Other good vantage points include Parliament Square (for a closer, ground-level view), the Golden Jubilee Bridges (looking south along the river), and from the London Eye.
Big Ben Quick Facts
- Official name: Elizabeth Tower (renamed 2012; previously the Clock Tower)
- The bell: The Great Bell, weighing 13.7 tonnes. This is technically "Big Ben"
- Height: 96 metres (315 feet)
- Completed: 1859
- Architect: Charles Barry (palace), Augustus Pugin (tower detailing)
- Clock faces: 4, each 7 metres in diameter
- Steps to the top: 334
- Restoration: 2017–2022 (£80 million project)
- UNESCO status: Part of the Palace of Westminster World Heritage Site
