Big Ben

Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell inside the clock tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London.

Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell inside the clock tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London. The tower itself is officially called Elizabeth Tower, a name adopted in 2012. The landmark is one of the most recognized symbols of London and the United Kingdom.

Name and identity

Big Ben is commonly used to describe the entire clock tower, but the name originally referred to the Great Bell. The tower itself was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012, while the bell remains the landmark’s best-known feature.

History and construction

The tower was completed in 1859 as part of the Palace of Westminster complex. The bell’s first peals were heard in July 1859, and the landmark has since become closely associated with London’s civic and political identity.

Architecture and clock mechanism

Elizabeth Tower is the Gothic Revival clock tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. Big Ben is part of a larger clock-and-bell system that includes quarter bells and a highly regarded timekeeping mechanism.

Cultural significance

Big Ben is one of England’s most recognizable landmarks and appears frequently in media and tourism materials as a symbol of London. Its image and chimes are closely tied to national events, including New Year celebrations and state broadcasts.