Big Ben and House of Parliament

Clock tower
Clock Tower
Big Ben, the name which actually refers to the huge thirteen ton bell that strikes the hour and not  the whole clock tower, is one of London’s best-known landmarks. The name ‘Ben Ben’ probably comes from Sir Benjamin Hall, a 'weighty' politician who was the Parliamentary Commissioner of Works at that time. Another theory is the bell was named after a popular heavyweight boxer Benjamin Caunt.
 
This bell was given to the Dean of St. Paul’s by William III, from the old Palace of Westminster. The bell went through refurbishment in Whitechapel in 1858 before it was hung at the current place. The bell was cast on Saturday 10 April 1858, with the first chime rung on 31 May 1859.

The bell is 9 ft in diameters, 7 ft and 5 inches high and weighs 13,760 Kg.

House of Parliament
House of Parliament, London
The BBC first broadcast the chimes on the 31st December 1923 - there is a microphone in the turret connected to Broadcasting House.

The clock in the tower is visible from a long distance. The four dials of the clock are 23 ft square, the minute hand is 14 ft long and the figures are 2 ft high.

Next to the clock tower is the House of Parliament. Also known as The Palace of Westminster, the Houses of Parliament incorporates The House of Commons, The House of Lords & Westminster Hall.

People can visit the Houses of Parliament to watch proceedings from the public gallery. Guided tours are also available which can include the tower of Big Ben (by prior arrangement). To arrange a tour contact:

• Local Member of Parliament (MP) (UK Nationals) - 020 7219 3000
• British Embassy (Foreign nationals)

Address:House of Commons Information Office, House of Commons, London SW1A 2TT, UK
Contact:Tel: +44 (0)20-7219 4272, Fax: +44 (0)20-7219 5839, Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Nearest Tube Station:Westminster
Buses:3, 11, 12, 24, 53, 87, 88, 148, 159, 211, 453
Opening Hours:Monday - Thursday 9.00 am - 6.00pm, Friday 9.00am - 4.30 pm (During recess 10.00am - 5.00pm Monday - Friday)

See Big Ben and House of Parliament on map



Useful Links:

  • Parliament UK - The official website of Parliament. Also has historical information on Big Ben.
  • Story of Big Ben - Information from the foundry that cast the Big Ben bell in 1858.