When you stand on the south bank of the Thames in London, staring up at the Houses of Parliament, you’re not just looking at a building-you’re facing the heartbeat of British democracy. And right at the center of it all, rising above the Gothic spires and stone gargoyles, is the clock tower everyone calls Big Ben. But here’s the truth: Big Ben isn’t the tower. It’s the bell inside it. The tower? That’s the Elizabeth Tower. And if you’ve ever walked past it on your way to Westminster Underground or caught a glimpse from a Thames riverboat, you know it’s more than a postcard-it’s a part of London’s daily rhythm.
What You’re Really Looking At
The Elizabeth Tower, completed in 1859, stands 96 meters tall. Its four faces are each 7 meters across-large enough to fit two double-decker buses side by side. The clock mechanism, designed by Edmund Beckett Denison and built by Edward John Dent, is still hand-wound three times a week by a team of skilled clockmakers. It’s one of the most accurate mechanical clocks in the world, losing no more than two seconds a week. That precision matters. In London, where trains run on the minute and office workers time their coffee breaks to the chime, the clock doesn’t just tell time-it keeps the city running.
The bell, Big Ben, weighs 13.7 tonnes. It was cast in 1856 at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, the same place that made the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. When it first rang, the bell cracked. They had to turn it 180 degrees and use a lighter hammer. That’s the kind of British pragmatism you won’t find anywhere else. Today, it chimes every hour, and its deep B-flat note can be heard for miles. On New Year’s Eve, hundreds of thousands gather along the Embankment and in Trafalgar Square just to hear it ring in the new year. It’s a tradition older than most Londoners’ grandparents.
Why the Name Confusion?
Ask any Londoner what Big Ben is, and they’ll point to the tower. Ask a tourist who’s read a guidebook, and they’ll say the same thing. The truth? It’s messy. The bell was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the First Commissioner of Works at the time-tall, loud, and nicknamed ‘Big Ben’ in Parliament. Over time, the name stuck to the whole structure. Even the BBC, which broadcasts the chimes live every hour, calls it Big Ben on air. Officially, it’s the Elizabeth Tower since 2012, in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. But no one calls it that. Not the cabbies, not the street vendors near St. James’s Park, not even the MPs walking out of the Commons.
Try asking for directions to the Elizabeth Tower in Westminster. You’ll get blank stares. Say ‘Big Ben,’ and someone will hand you a map, point to the tube station, or even offer to take a photo with you. That’s London. History lives in the language people use, not the plaques on the wall.
Visiting the Houses of Parliament
If you’re in London and want to see inside, you’ve got options. UK residents can book free tours of the parliamentary chambers through their MP. It’s not easy-slots fill up months in advance-but if you know someone who lives here, ask. Tourists can book guided tours through the official Parliament website. The tour includes the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and Westminster Hall, where William Wallace was tried and Charles I was sentenced to death. You’ll walk through the same corridors where Churchill gave his wartime speeches and where Margaret Thatcher once stood.
Pro tip: Book early. The queues outside the visitor entrance on New Palace Yard can stretch past the statue of Queen Victoria. If you’re visiting on a weekday, go early. The building opens at 9:30 a.m., and the first guided tour starts at 10. Skip the gift shop on the way out unless you’re looking for a Union Jack mug or a £20 Parliament-themed tea towel. The real souvenir? The sound of Big Ben echoing as you walk away.
Best Spots to See It in London
You don’t need a ticket to appreciate the tower. Some of the best views are free:
- Westminster Bridge - The classic photo spot. Go at sunset. The golden light hits the clock faces just right, and the river reflects the whole scene.
- St. James’s Park - Walk past the pelicans, turn left at the lake, and you’ll see the tower framed by trees. Perfect for a quiet moment between meetings at Whitehall.
- London Eye - At 135 meters up, you get a panoramic view of the whole skyline. The tower looks tiny from here, but you’ll spot the flag flying above it-red, white, and blue, always.
- Thames River Cruise - Hop on a City Cruises boat from Westminster Pier. Most tours pass under Lambeth Bridge, giving you a side-on view of the tower. The commentary usually includes the story of the 2007 renovation, when scaffolding hid it for two years and Londoners missed its chimes like a missing neighbor.
And if you’re really serious about the experience, wake up at 6 a.m. on a Sunday and walk from Tower Bridge to Westminster. The city is quiet. No tourists. No buses. Just the chime of Big Ben, echoing off the Thames, and the smell of fresh coffee drifting from a nearby Pret A Manger. That’s London at its purest.
When It’s Not Working
Big Ben isn’t perfect. It’s been silent before. In 2017, it fell quiet for four years during a £80 million restoration. The clock faces were cleaned, the mechanism overhauled, and the roof repaired. During that time, Londoners adapted. Some set alarms to the BBC’s hourly chime. Others downloaded apps that played the sound. A few even walked to the tower just to hear the mechanical ticking through the scaffolding.
It returned in 2022, louder and clearer than ever. But the silence taught people something: this clock isn’t just metal and gears. It’s a shared heartbeat. When it stopped, the city felt off-kilter.
What Makes It More Than a Tourist Attraction
Big Ben isn’t just a landmark. It’s a symbol that shows up in London’s culture in quiet, everyday ways. It’s in the opening credits of Doctor Who. It’s on the £20 note, printed by the Bank of England. It’s the sound that plays when the BBC World Service begins its hourly bulletin. It’s the chime that signals the end of the 10 o’clock news on BBC One, right after the weather forecast from the Met Office.
And when the Queen passed in 2022, the chimes were silenced for 24 hours as a mark of respect. That silence wasn’t just protocol-it was grief. In London, Big Ben doesn’t just mark time. It marks moments that matter.
So next time you’re in London, don’t just snap a photo. Listen. Wait for the chime. Feel the vibration in the air. That’s not just a bell. That’s the sound of a city that’s been ticking, steady and sure, for over 160 years.
Is Big Ben the name of the tower or the bell?
Big Ben is the name of the 13.7-tonne bell inside the Elizabeth Tower. The tower itself was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to honor Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. But in everyday London speech, people still call the whole structure Big Ben.
Can you go inside the Elizabeth Tower?
Only UK residents can book tours inside the tower through their Member of Parliament. Tours are extremely limited and require advance booking. Tourists cannot enter the tower itself, but they can tour the Houses of Parliament, which includes the surrounding buildings and historic chambers.
When does Big Ben chime?
Big Ben chimes every hour, marking the time with its deep B-flat note. The quarter bells chime every 15 minutes with the Westminster Quarters melody. It’s been broadcasting live on the BBC since 1923, so you can hear it anywhere in the world.
Why was Big Ben silent between 2017 and 2022?
It was silenced for a major £80 million restoration project. The clock mechanism needed repairs, the clock faces were cleaned, and the tower’s roof and stonework were restored. The silence was a rare moment in London’s history-many locals missed the sound so much they played recordings on their phones.
What’s the best time of day to see Big Ben?
Sunset is ideal. The golden light catches the clock faces and the stonework, and the tower is less crowded. Early morning, before 9 a.m., is also peaceful-especially if you’re walking along the Thames. Avoid midday on weekends when tour groups swarm Westminster Bridge.