Big Ben
Big Ben is possibly London's most famous landmark.
Big Ben is not actually the name of the capital's clock as many believe, it is, in fact the name of the 13-ton bell which can be found inside the clock.
The bell was named after bureaucrat Sir Benjamin Hall. The Bell can be found in St. Stephen's Tower which is at the northern end of the Houses of Parliament. The bell itself is not very old compared to the houses of Parliament. When Parliament is in session after dark a light shines from the top of St. Stephen's Tower.
The clock is huge, the tower is a mere 320 feet high with the clock faces being 23 feet wide. The minute hands are 14 feet long and cover the distance of an average man every 5 minutes. The bell was completed in 1859 and at the time it was the largest bell in the United Kingdom.
Location
Big Ben
Parliament Square
Westminster
SW1
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7219 3000
Nearest Tube / Rail Station
Westminster