Historical Information:
WHAT IS IT? Clock tower in City of Westminster, England
Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, and often extended to refer to the clock and the clock tower
Height of Big Ben clock tower: 316' (96 m)
Opened: 1859
Architectural style: Gothic Revival architecture
Architect: Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin
Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London,[1] and often extended to refer to the clock and the clock tower.[2] The tower is now officially called the Elizabeth Tower, after being renamed in 2012 (from "Clock Tower") to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II. The tower holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and is the third-tallest free-standing clock tower.[3] The tower was completed in 1858 and had its 150th anniversary on 31 May 2009,[4] during which celebratory events took place.[5][6] The tower has become one of the most prominent symbols of both London and England and is often in the establishing shot of films set in the city.
Opening & Closing Times
Tours of Big Ben are usually part of a full tour of the houses of parliament and then of the clock tower
OPENING TIMES: Tours Mon to Fri 9.15am, 10.15am, 11.15am & 2.15pm | Max number: 16 people per tour
PRICES: Free - but by prior arrangement only
Time of year to visit:
Summer when the weather is good and visibility is good.
How to get there:
Bus: ‘Big Bus Tours’ sightseeing tours of London that go past the clock tower and Westminster (see: http://www.bigbustours.com/eng/london)
Tube: Westminster London Underground tube station on the Circle, District & Jubilee lines.
LONDON ATTRACTION 2: BUCKINGHAM PALACE
LONDON ATTRACTION 3: HYDE PARK