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2 days ago · Big Ben, London tower clock famous for its accuracy and for its massive bell. Strictly speaking, the name refers to only the great hour bell, but it is commonly associated with the whole clock tower at the northern end of the Houses of Parliament. Learn more about Big Ben in this article.
- Jonathan D. Betts
Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the Great Clock of Westminster, and, by extension, for the clock tower itself, which stands at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, England.
- It’s Actually Called Elizabeth Tower. The tower itself is Elizabeth Tower, and it’s the huge bell inside that’s called Big Ben. Why Big Ben? Well, it’s really big!
- We’re not Sure how Big Ben got its Nickname. One of the first questions many people ask about London’s famous clock is, ‘how did Big Ben get its name?’
- Big Ben’s Tower Leans Sideways. Don’t worry, the tower leans at an inclination of just 1/250 or 0.4 degrees. It’s not about to topple over, but if you look carefully when you’re standing close to Big Ben you should be able to see it tilt to one side.
- Big Ben has Always Been Important. In fact, the bell was seen as so important that when it arrived in London it was brought down the Thames in a barge as Londoners flocked to watch.
The Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower, commonly called Big Ben, are among London's most iconic landmarks and must-see London attractions. Technically, Big Ben is the name given to the massive bell inside the clock tower, which weighs more than 13 tons (13,760 kg).
- The name "Big Ben" refers to the clock tower's largest bell, not the Clock or the tower itself. At some point, London’s superstar clock tower acquired the nickname Big Ben—a name originally given not to the tower itself or even its clock, but to the largest of the clock’s five bells.
- Big Ben's clock tower has gone by several names. Even though it has assumed the Big Ben moniker, the tower has its own official name. For the bulk of its life, the landmark was known simply as the Clock Tower, but it was commonly referenced (especially by the Victorian press) as St. Stephen’s Tower.
- The bell took its name from one of two famous Bens. The original “Ben” who lent his name to the bell is a bit of mystery. The prime candidate for the handle’s inspiration is Sir Benjamin Hall, a 19th century engineer and politician who was also a famously large man.
- A lawyer and an astronomer designed the clock movement. While you might guess that the English government would have charged top clockmakers with the task of creating such a prominent timekeeper, the pair who actually designed the clock were not trained horologists.
Oct 17, 2023 · The Elizabeth Tower, Big Ben, St Stephen's Tower, the Westminster Clock Tower... call it what you will*, the multistorey timepiece of the Houses of Parliament is one of the world's...
Today Big Ben is one of the most recognisable symbols of London in the world, with the catchy nickname now encompassing the clock tower as a whole. Thousands of visitors flock to Westminster to view its stunning design and vast proportions, widely considered a marvel of Victorian architecture.
