Big Ben

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"Big Ben" is really the nickname of the Great Bell inside the clock tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, where the UK Parliament meets in London. People also use the name for the whole tower. The tower was first called the Clock Tower, and in 2012 it was renamed the Elizabeth Tower to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, 60 years on the throne.

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At a glance

Country: United Kingdom
Location: London, UK
Built: 1859
Height: 96 m
Type: Tower

Quick answers

Where is Big Ben?

Big Ben is in London, UK, United Kingdom.

When was Big Ben built?

Big Ben was built in 1859.

How tall is Big Ben?

Big Ben is about 96 m tall.

The nickname for the great bell in the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster, an icon of London.

The tower stands 96 metres tall, about as high as 21 London buses stacked on top of each other, and was completed in 1859. Its clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking clock in the world when it was finished. Today the tower and its bells are a famous symbol of Britain, and their chimes are broadcast on BBC radio. It is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History

In 1834 a huge fire destroyed most of the old Palace of Westminster. Architect Charles Barry designed a new palace, and Augustus Pugin designed the clock tower in a decorated Gothic style. The first Great Bell cracked during testing and had to be recast. The new bell first rang in July 1859, but by September it had cracked too. For three years the hours were struck on another bell, until the big bell was turned a little so the hammer hit a new spot. It still rings with its crack today, which gives it a slightly different tone.

Inside the tower

There are 334 steps from the ground to the belfry, the room where the bells hang. Big Ben weighs 13.7 tonnes and sounds the note E. Four smaller quarter bells play a tune every 15 minutes. The clock has four dials, each 7 metres across and made of 324 pieces of opal glass. Each minute hand is 4.2 metres long. Above the belfry is the Ayrton Light, a lantern that shines when Parliament is sitting after dark. Between 2017 and 2021 the tower was carefully repaired, and the bells were mostly silent.

Fun facts

Big Ben is really the name of the great bell; the tower was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012.
The clock is fine-tuned with old pennies: adding one penny to the pendulum makes the clock gain two-fifths of a second a day.
The bell's nickname probably comes from Sir Benjamin Hall, the official in charge when it was installed.
The minute hands travel about 190 km a year as they go round and round.
The tower leans very slightly to the northwest, by about half a metre at the very top.

On the globe

The model shows the tall Gothic clock tower beside the Palace of Westminster in London. Look for the clock faces near the top, just below the pointed spire.

Quiz time

Which is taller: Big Ben or London Eye?

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London Eye. (96 m vs 135 m) London Eye →

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Sources

Updated: 2026-10-13