What is Big Ben?
Quick answer
Big Ben is the nickname of the Great Bell inside the famous clock tower at the Houses of Parliament in London. The tower itself was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to honor Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, though most people still call the whole landmark Big Ben.
Key facts
- Tower name
- Elizabeth Tower (formerly the Clock Tower)
- Completed
- 1859
- Tower height
- About 96 m (316 ft)
- Big Ben bell weight
- About 13.7 tonnes
Bell, clock and tower
| Part | Official name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The bell | The Great Bell, known as Big Ben | Strikes the hours |
| The tower | Elizabeth Tower | Called the Clock Tower until 2012 |
| The clock | The Great Clock of Westminster | Four dials, each about 7 m across |
Who was “Ben”?
Historians still debate the answer. The two main theories:
- Sir Benjamin Hall, the Commissioner of Works when the bell was installed, who was a large man
- Benjamin Caunt, a famous heavyweight boxer of the time
Big Ben facts
- The first Big Ben bell cracked during testing in 1857; the current bell, cast in 1858, also cracked a year after installation and was turned so the hammer struck a different spot. It still has the crack, which gives it its distinctive sound.
- The clock’s accuracy is adjusted by adding or removing old penny coins on the pendulum; one penny changes its speed by about 0.4 seconds a day.
- The bell has been broadcast on BBC radio since 1923.
- It falls silent for important events and was largely silent during a major restoration from 2017 to 2022.
The Palace of Westminster
The tower is part of the Palace of Westminster, where the UK Parliament meets. The palace was rebuilt after a fire in 1834, designed by Charles Barry with the tower by Augustus Pugin. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visitors who are UK residents can sometimes tour the tower by contacting their MP; see who is my MP. Check what time it is in London before listening for the chimes.
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