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Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the Great Clock of Westminster, [1] [2] and, by extension, for the clock tower itself, [3] which stands at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, England. [4]
- What Is Big Ben?
- Who Designed and Made Big Ben?
- When Was Big Ben built?
- Fun Facts About Big Ben
- How Tall Is Big Ben?
- Where Is Big Ben?
- Why Is Big Ben called Big Ben?
- Can You Go Inside Big Ben?
- Big Ben and Elizabeth Tower Refurbishment Work
- What Is The Closest Tube Station to Big Ben?
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The Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower, commonly called Big Ben, are among London's most iconic landmarks and must-see London attractions. Technically, Big Ben is the name given to the massive bellinside the clock tower, which weighs more than 13 tons (13,760 kg). The clock tower looks spectacular at night when the four clock faces are illumi...
Big Ben was designed by Edmund Beckett Denison and Sir George Airy, the Astronomer Royal, and was constructed by Edward John Dent and Frederick Dent.
The Palace of Westminster was destroyed by fire in 1834. In 1844, it was decided the new buildings for the Houses of Parliament should include a tower and a clock. A massive bell was required and the first attempt (made by John Warner & Sons at Stockton-on-Tees) cracked irreparably. The metal was melted down and the bell recast in Whitechapel in 18...
Each dial is seven metres in diameter.The minute hands are 4.2 metres long (14ft) and weigh about 100kg (220lbs, including counterweights).The numbers are approximately 60cm (23in) long.There are 312 pieces of glass in each clock dial.Elizabeth Tower stands at more than 96 metres (105yrds) tall, with 334 steps to climb up to the belfry and 399 steps to the Ayrton Light at the very top of the tower.
Big Ben is found in the Elizabeth Tower at the north end of The Houses of Parliament in Westminster, Central London, next to the river Thames. There are several London bus routes that go past the tower, and Westminster Tube station is directly across the road, serviced by the Jubilee, District and Circle lines. Westminster pier is next to the tower...
The origin of the name Big Ben is not known, although two different theories exist. 1. The first is that it was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the first commissioner of works, a large man who was known affectionately in the house as "Big Ben". 2. The second theory is that it was named after a heavyweight boxing champion at that time, Benjamin Caunt...
Big Ben is one of London's top attractions. You can visit Big Ben and go inside by booking a 90-minute guided tour that takes visitors up 334 stairs to see the clock mechanism room, behind the four clock dials and the Belfry, where the famous bell is located. Tours can be booked by visiting the official UK Parliament website. You can take a tour of...
The five-year restoration project on the Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben was completed in August 2022. The extensive work included restoring the clock face to its original Victorian style and the iconic dials to their original Prussian blue colour. Other works included installing energy efficient LEDs behind the clock face and replacing 700 defected ma...
The closest Tube station is Westminster(District, Circle and Jubilee lines), which is around a two-minute walk away. Various bus routes stop close to the Houses of Parliament. There are Santander Cyclesdocking stations nearby in Smith Square and Abingdon Green. Ticked off Big Ben and ready to explore some more? Check out the other must-see London a...
Learn about the iconic clock tower and its massive bell, Big Ben, at the Houses of Parliament. Find out how to visit, hear and see Big Ben, and discover its origins and fun facts.
Aug 23, 2024 · Big Ben, London tower clock famous for its accuracy and for its massive bell. Strictly speaking, the name refers to only the great hour bell, but it is commonly associated with the whole clock tower at the northern end of the Houses of Parliament. Learn more about Big Ben in this article.
- Jonathan D. Betts
Big Ben is probably the world's most famous clock. That iconic silhouette is instantly recognisable and is one of the most Instagrammed landmarks on the planet. Six monarchs and 41 prime ministers have come and gone since the bells first struck their now familiar music across Westminster.
Mar 4, 2021 · Big Ben is a memorable attraction for visitors of all ages from countries around the world. It should be included in any London travel itinerary (although it's hard to miss the massive tower and clock when in the British capital).
Imagine 21 London buses sitting on top of each other. That’s the height of the Elizabeth Tower. 11 floors. 96 metres. It’s a long climb to the top. 292 steps to the clock faces and 334 steps to the Belfry where Big Ben, the Great Bell, hangs.
Big Ben is the nickname of the massive hour bell and the clock tower at the Houses of Parliament in London. Learn about its history, accuracy, and cultural significance from Britannica's editors.
