Big Ben

Big Ben which includes skyline, château or palace and a monument
The timeless time-piece that has rung out over the Thames, Parliament and central London for 150 years.

The clock tower of Big Ben may be one of London's best-known – and most photographed – landmarks but there's a lot more to this Victorian marvel than just a wonderful photo-opportunity. Its clock has rung out those famous hourly bells over 150 years of British history, from the Empire to the 2012 Olympics. It stands over Old River Thames, as well as the ancient parliament of the United Kingdom. And it has probably appeared in more films – Hollywood, Bollywood and other – than any other part of the British capital. Big Ben is as much part of England as red double-decker buses and Buckingham Palace.

Although this superb example of neo-Gothic Victorian architecture is instantly recognisable, most don't realise that it is the huge 13-ton bell inside that's actually named 'Big Ben'. The tower itself was officially known as the Clock Tower, until 2012, when it was renamed the Elizabeth Tower. That doesn't stop everyone, from London's taxi cab drivers to visiting tourists, calling it Big Ben. It was built in 1858, after the old Westminster Palace burned down, and a new Parliament building was needed.

It is now an irreplaceable sight, towering some 96 metres above the Thames, especially dramatic when seen from Westminster Bridge. It is also famed for its reliability, keeping time throughout two World Wars, and a bombing by the Germans in 1941. The ticking heart of Big Ben is a 300 kg, four metre long pendulum, which swings every two seconds. Amazingly, it is kept in time by a pile of old 'penny' coins stacked on the pendulum. Take one off, and you will slow Big Ben down by nearly half-a-second per day.

Another astonishing thing is that the bell is actually broken. It fractured within two months of being installed, and was repaired, and rotated, so that the crack wouldn't get larger with every strike. That repair job has lasted 150 years, although it did alter the tone of the bell. The BBC uses Big Ben's twelve 'gongs' to mark the midday on its radio news programme, as do many British TV programmes. And on 30 July 2012, it rang out 30 times, when London hosted the 30th Olympic Games of modern times. Big Ben, it seems, will always be the timeless centre of both London's skyline and its soundscape.

Top Trending Hotels Near Big Ben

Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
3 out of 5
Great Windmill Street, London, England, W1D 7DH
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹8,828 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
₹8,828
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value in ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,764 reviews)
Good location for the budget
"A good place in a very good location on Piccadilly Square. Small rooms though."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2023

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Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
4 out of 5
200 Westminster Bridge Road, London, England, SE1 7UT
The price is ₹18,413 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
₹18,413
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,620 reviews)
"Fantastic location. Staff was helpful and friendly. Only down point was breakfast was the same every day but buffet was clean and food was hot and tasted good"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2023

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
The Strand Palace Hotel
The Strand Palace Hotel
4 out of 5
372 The Strand, London, England, WC2R 0JJ
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹12,107 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
₹12,107
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,829 reviews)
"Had to evacuate from hotel at about 23.30 into the Strand as fire alarm activated - otherwise good stay"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2023

The Strand Palace Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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