Official name: Parliament Clock Tower Also known as: Saint Stephen's Tower Built: 1858 Designed by: Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin Type: Tower Maximum height: 320 feet / 98 meters Location: Bridge Street, London, United Kingdom View from above with
F or tourists, photographers, residents, and even terrorists, this is the symbol of London. Officially called the Clock Tower, millions of people around the world know it as "Big Ben." In truth, Big Ben is the name of the bell inside the clock, not the tower. But trying to convince people of that is akin to trying to stop a train with your car: It's possible, but not worth the effort. Not a building on its own, the 320-foot Clock Tower is one of two towers flanking England's Houses of Parliament. It was built after a fire in 1834 destroyed most of the existing structure. That inferno was caused by the burning of an abacus that was used for bookkeeping. The fire got out of control and took most of the building with it. Charles Barry was the winner of a competition to design the new center of government. He went with a Renaissance style, and married it with Neo-Gothic details by Augustus Pugin, including the towers. Inside the tower is Big Ben -- a 13-ton bell that sounds the hours as time passes. There is no firm documentation on how the bell got its name. Some think it was named after boxer Ben Caunt. Others believe it was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, a rather hefty gentleman who was a commissioner in Westminster. Either way, it is the quintessential London experience to emerge from the Underground, walk along the Thames on a foggy Sunday morning and hear Big Ben toll. If you're not in London, it can still be heard frequently on the radio via the BBC World Service on AM in Europe, and satellite and shortwave elsewhere. For the frequency where you live, see the BBC World Service home page.
Over the years there has been historical debate over who designed the Houses of Parliament and the clock tower commonly known as Big Ben. Charles Barry began the design, but then hired Augustus Pugin to complete it. Pugin, himself, has been quoted as giving Barry the credit for the better half og the work.
1949 - Big Ben's time falls behind by 4½ minutes when a flock of birds perches on the minute hand.
1962 - Big Ben sounds the New Year ten minutes late because of a buildup of heavy snow on its hands.
20 March, 2004 - Protesters scale Big Ben and unfurl a banner protesting war.
30 October, 2005 - Big Ben is paused for several hours so workers could perform routine maintenance and inspections.
H. Mirfakhraei
Friday, May 23rd, 2008 @ 9:35pm
Rating: Five stars. Awesome, along with parliament building it's like a brilliant gem dropped on the earth. I am really looking forward to seeing it again.
Will Fox
Monday, April 14th, 2008 @ 7:53am
Rating: Five stars. Awe-inspiring. Quite simply, one of the greatest examples of architecture on the planet. This building *IS* London.
Raman Batra
Tuesday, December 11th, 2007 @ 5:31am
Rating: Five stars. I have no words to explain the beautiness of this Tower. I really want to see this.
Nevin Peter
Thursday, November 1st, 2007 @ 1:10pm
Rating: Five stars. Clock Tower is the most awesome structure I ever seen, the architect is superb and beautifuly crafted. IT looks beautiful from every angle... All credit goes to Charles and Augutus the creator of this unbelievable structure.
srinivas
Tuesday, August 28th, 2007 @ 6:01am
Rating: Five stars. What a clock! truly its the pride of the mighty british empire, What the Statue of Liberty is to the United States of America Big Ben is to England
Christine
Sunday, August 26th, 2007 @ 8:30am
Rating: Five stars. There is now way to explain the feeling of being there and seeing this wonderful tower and clock...I have seen it many times and it always brings tears to my eyes, and a thumping in my chest...
Narantsogt
Tuesday, February 20th, 2007 @ 6:07am
Rating: Five stars. this building is second to none. I was amazed when I first saw it at first in London. It was one of the best times I've ever had.
Kusdiana Lusi Kartikasari
Monday, January 29th, 2007 @ 9:07pm
Rating: Five stars. How beautiful it is! I hope, someday I can visit this spectacular place.
Shamim from Pakistan
Saturday, October 7th, 2006 @ 3:09am
Rating: Five stars. Ever since I was a child I have been listening about the Big Ben. I have seen them in pictures. I would like Big Ben to be there always. I hope to see it one day. London will not be the same without it. Please let it be. I like Big Ben.
Katlego B Mazunga
Monday, September 25th, 2006 @ 10:47am
Rating: Five stars. Amazing!!! quite impressive.I want to see it someday in real life.
Rio
Friday, September 15th, 2006 @ 7:44pm
Rating: Four stars. one word: magnificent
Nadine
Saturday, March 25th, 2006 @ 8:51pm
Rating: Five stars. It was amazing to see it in real life, always see it movies, but to actually be there is was AWESOME
Danyel
Saturday, January 28th, 2006 @ 9:42am
Rating: Five stars. I think this is an AWESOME structure I cannot wait to see it SOON what a site I am sure in real life.
Spicer
Monday, January 23rd, 2006 @ 11:58am
Rating: Four stars. I have never seen the big ben but from researching, i think it is really awesome.
Wilbert NYC
Saturday, December 3rd, 2005 @ 2:13am
Rating: Five stars. What a world clock! truly amazing and beautiful, incredible detailing the pride of the british people, the symbol of London and England as the Statue of Liberty is to the United States of America and New York City a true landmark.
Guto
Friday, November 11th, 2005 @ 2:36pm
Rating: Four stars. Amazing!
Aaron
Wednesday, October 19th, 2005 @ 11:07pm
Rating: Four stars. Whether on a brilliant sunny day or shrouded in fog, Big Ben is quintessential London.
Adele Maistry
Tuesday, October 11th, 2005 @ 9:15am
Rating: Five stars. The most beautiful thing an eye could look at-just wish I could see it in reality.magnifecent.!!
Paige
Tuesday, September 6th, 2005 @ 1:23pm
Rating: Five stars. This Place is really amazing. I am one day Going to live there.
Luz
Thursday, August 11th, 2005 @ 7:26am
Rating: Five stars. beautiful and impressive site,go for a walk at night is different
Sofia
Sunday, August 7th, 2005 @ 7:45pm
Rating: Five stars. I guess this is one of the most spectacular places to visit
robert pires
Sunday, June 26th, 2005 @ 7:43am
Rating: Five stars. i loved it i went with arsene wenger and the arsenal squad it was amazing
Richard Pullin
Sunday, May 29th, 2005 @ 5:00am
Rating: Five stars. Big Ben is an excellent tower. It is truly a part of Heaven on Earth. It looks so much more beautifal and big when you see it in reality. And the chimes make me truly feel English!
Lorraine Hornig
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2005 @ 6:55pm
Rating: Five stars. An incredible structure! It's more beautiful in reality than any photo I've ever seen
Mal Walker
Sunday, March 13th, 2005 @ 1:21am
Rating: Five stars. Unique. Beautiful to look at and the sound of Big Ben striking is unmistakeable. Must see and hear at least once in your lifetime.
Minnie
Wednesday, January 19th, 2005 @ 8:43am
Rating: Five stars. Beautiful pic of the best-known clock in the world. Wonderful site.
Vaiva
Friday, January 14th, 2005 @ 10:25am
Rating: Five stars. very good
Marjan M. Jaberi
Monday, December 27th, 2004 @ 12:46am
Rating: Five stars. Fantastic structure.
Guilherme
Thursday, October 7th, 2004 @ 2:32pm
Rating: Five stars. very good
John Windle
May 26th, 2003
There is a small gaol cell in its base to which the Speaker of the House of Commons can send MPs if they do not accept his rulings.
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New York, United States
H. Mirfakhraei
Five stars.
Will Fox
Raman Batra
Narantsogt
Kusdiana Lusi Kartikasari
Shamim from Pakistan
Katlego B Mazunga
Rio
Four stars.
Nadine
Guto
Adele Maistry
Sofia
robert pires
Mal Walker
Vaiva
Marjan M. Jaberi