Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament Tourist Guide and Tips.

Big Ben

Big Ben is another name for the Great Bell of the chiming clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, however the term is also used to apply to the clock and the clock tower as well. The official name of the tower in which Big Ben is housed was originally Clock Tower, but in 2012, it was renamed Elizabeth Tower to commemorate Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee as Queen of the United Kingdom.

Address: London SW1A 0AA

Westminster Underground Station is in Zone 1 on the Jubilee, District and Circle lines

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Augustus Pugin designed the tower in a neo-Gothic style. When it was finished in 1859, the clock was the world's biggest and most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock. The tower is 316 feet tall, with 334 steps leading from the ground to the belfry. It has a square foundation that measures 40 feet on each side. The clock's dials are 22.5 feet in diameter. The rose for England, thistle for Scotland, shamrock for Northern Ireland, and leek for Wales are all represented on the tower by shields with a rose for England, thistle for Scotland, shamrock for Northern Ireland, and leek for Wales. On the 150th anniversary of the tower's construction, celebrations were conducted on May 31, 2009.

The 318-foot tower holding the enormous clock and its booming bell known as Big Ben screams "London" more forcefully than anything else. It's as well-known as Tower Bridge, and the tolling of Big Ben is recognised across the world as the BBC's time signal. The Houses of Parliament, which run down the Thames for centuries and were formerly the location of the regal Westminster Palace inhabited by William the Conqueror, are located underneath it.

Crossing Westminster Bridge and gazing back provides the greatest view. Alternatively, after crossing the bridge, turn left and follow the walkway to the SEA LIFE London Aquarium (a fun spot to take kids). For a beautiful shot with Big Ben in the backdrop, gather your team around the wall.

Houses of Parliament / Palace of Westminster

Tours of the parliament buildings provide a rare opportunity to see live debates and vibrant political arguments. Whitehall, which runs parallel to Parliament Square and is lined with so many government buildings, has become synonymous with the British government.

The Palace of Westminster is the meeting site for the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the United Kingdom's Parliament. The Palace is located on the north bank of the River Thames in the City of Westminster, in central London, England, and is known as the Houses of Parliament after its current occupants.

Its name, which comes from the nearby Westminster Abbey, can refer to a variety of historic sites, the most common of which are the Old Palace, a mediaeval architectural complex that was substantially destroyed by fire in 1834, and its replacement, the New Palace, which still remains today. The monarch in right of the Crown owns the palace, which preserves its historic status as a royal dwelling for ceremonial purposes. The building is managed by committees nominated by both chambers, which report to the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker.

The first royal house on the site was built in the 11th century, and Westminster became the major seat of the Kings of England until the royal rooms were destroyed by fire in 1512. (after which, the nearby Palace of Whitehall was established). The rest of Westminster remained the home of the English Parliament, which had met there since the 13th century, as well as the Royal Courts of Justice, which were housed in and around Westminster Hall.

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Hours: 

Private Transfers to and from House of Parliament