When you think of iconic London locations, Big Ben is the first thing to come to many people’s minds. It’s a symbol of the city, something truly British, and well worth a visit (much like The Cumberland Hotel. But how much do you really know about Big Ben?
For most tourists, a visit to London is never complete without catching a glimpse of this historic clock tower in the skyline. For those living in London, it’s a constant reminder of the great city they’re in and the history that surrounds them. At The Cumberland, we’re your London experts. With decades in the capital and a team of uniquely qualified staff, ready to help elevate your next London trip, we’re here to help guide you through your visit to the city, and that includes your must-see list. Here’s our guide to Big Ben, including exactly what it is, the history of the building, and the best places to grab that perfect snapshot for your memory book.
What is Big Ben?
It may sound obvious, but Big Ben is one of the world’s most famous clocks. But there’s more to this than meets the eye. The world knows the structure as Big Ben, towering over the Houses of Parliament and the Thames, but Big Ben is actually the name of the bell inside the clock. Until 2012, the structure was known as ‘The Clock Tower’. To celebrate the diamond jubilee of the then reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, the tower was renamed Elizabeth Tower.
Elizabeth Tower is one of the most impressive structures in London, but it’s neither the oldest nor the tallest – The Shard currently holds that record at 1,016 feet tall! In fact, Elizabeth Tower is 314 feet, which is the size of 21 London buses stacked on top of each other. Nowadays, it is the third-tallest clock tower in the UK.
Why is it called Big Ben?
There’s no definitive answer to the question. The iconic sounds of Big Ben are made by the bell inside that was affectionately named ‘Big Ben’ in honour of Sir Benjamin Hall, the Chief Commissioner of Works. The bell weighs 13.7 tonnes, but it isn’t the only bell inside Elizabeth Tower. To find out more facts you probably didn’t know about Big Ben, you can head to this article.
Big Ben is the heaviest bell in the tower, but there are four other bells in the belfry, and together they’re able to create the tune London tourists know and love.
The History of Big Ben
People travel to London for many different reasons – the music, the culture, the atmosphere – but the history of the city draws millions of visitors a year. The city is around 1,978 years old, and for the majority of that, Big Ben didn’t exist. But that doesn’t stop thousands of people from becoming engrossed by the past of this London landmark.
When was Big Ben Built?
The Great Fire of 1834 may not be as famous as the London fire of 1666, but it caused a lot of damage to London’s storied past. The fire of 1834, otherwise known as the burning of Parliament, began as an accident. Workmen burnt wooden tally sticks in the underground furnace of the Palace of Westminster. It ignited wooden panelling, and soon the entire Palace (the meeting of parliament) went up in flames. Crowds gathered to watch as firefighters attempted to put out the blaze. Both Houses of Parliament were lost to the disaster, but luckily, Westminster Hall was saved along with Jewel Tower, the Undercroft Chapel, the Cloisters and Chapter House of St Stephen’s. If you’d like to find out more about the Great Fire of 1834, the UK Parliament website explores it here.
In 1843, the plans to rebuild parliament were laid out, including a large clock tower. The first brick was laid that year,, but it took 16 years until it was complete. The design for the clock was won in a competition and designed by Edmund Beckett Denison and Sir George Airy. Edward John Dent and Frederick Dent constructed the building, with the bell cast in Stockton-on-Tees. Sir George Airy was the royal astronomer, and part of his design for the clock tower involved the clock having pinpoint accuracy, including twice-a-day checks with the Royal Greenwich Observatory. This was revolutionary at the time, and the clock mechanism itself cost £2,500 – an equivalent of £285,000 today.
What happened to Big Ben during the World Wars?
While London was besieged during the Blitz, Big Ben remained intact. From 1940 to 1941, the Houses of Parliament were hit by air raids on 14 different occasions, but only ornamental ironwork and the glass of one of the clock faces were broken. You can find out more about Big Ben and the Blitz here.
Has Big Ben ever stopped?
While Big Ben is an ever-present London monument and incredibly accurate – they even use pennies to ensure it stays perfectly on time – there have been times that London residents have had to go without the chimes of the tower. Just like you, Big Ben can struggle in the cold weather (tourists to London in winter, be warned. England’s capital is well known for its rainy days and unpredictable weather). In 1945, the hammers that struck the bells froze, meaning that while the time on the clock faces was still accurate, the chimes didn’t ring over the area as usual. In 1962, the clock ran slow as snow jammed the North clock face.
One of the most famous, and maybe most adorable, instances of Big Ben stopping was in August of 1949. A flock of starlings landed on the minute hand, stopping it for over four minutes.
But just like the British spirit the nation is renowned for, Big Ben marches on. It’s been closed for repairs and special occasions a number of times, including for Winston Churchill’s funeral and from 2017 to 2021 for renovation work. This work cost the UK government £80 million but restored the clock tower to its former glory. You can find out more about this renovation work here.
Did you know, in 1980 as an April Fool’s Prank the BBC told the public that Big Ben was going digital and its iconic clock face would be replaced by a digital display? They even went as far as saying whoever got their hands on the hands first could take them!
Visiting Big Ben
For most tourists to London, they want to make sure they’re getting the most out of the trip, and what could be better than getting to climb Big Ben?
Can you visit Big Ben?
Tickets to Big Ben can be very competitive. They’re only released on the second Wednesday of every month at 10 am from the parliament website. However, they’re released three months in advance and can get booked up very quickly, so if you’d like to tour the clock tower, you have to be quick. That’s why planning your visit to London in advance is so important. If you’d like to find out more about London and what you can do during your trip, make sure to check out our other blogs on The Cumberland.
For a while, only British citizens were able to tour inside Big Ben as they would need to write to their representative in Parliament for security assurance; however, tours are now open to both citizens and international visitors. Children over 11 are allowed; however, they need to be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18. Tickets cost £35 for adults and £20 for children. Top tip: make sure you set an alarm 10 minutes before the tickets go on sale so you can make sure to snag one on time!
Is a tour of Big Ben accessible?
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the historic landmark, it might not be possible for everyone to climb the tower. The Parliament website advises that it may not be accessible for all visitors because there are 334 steps that must all be ascended and descended within 90 minutes without walking aids, as well as uneven surfaces, and high noise levels inside. It’s best to check ahead on their website for guidance before booking your ticket, as Big Ben tour tickets are not refundable.
What happens on a tour of Big Ben?
The official tour of Big Ben takes you all the way up Elizabeth Tower to the belfry, where you can actually see the Big Ben bell. You can even stand next to it while it strikes the hour, making for a truly unforgettable memory. Alongside getting to see the clock mechanism, you’ll be taken to exhibition spaces and your guide will share the story of Big Ben and the details of the conservation work that make it so guests can continue enjoying this slice of London history decades after its first bell toll.
Then you can wander through Westminster Hall, grab a drink in the Jubilee cafe, and even take home an official piece of Big Ben merchandise (the perfect gift for your family back home).
Important Information for your tour of Big Ben
- The entire tour will last a total of one hour and 45 minutes, so make sure you plan it correctly into your day and arrive at the meeting point on time.
- If you’d like to buy tickets to tour Big Ben, you can purchase them directly from the Parliament website here.
- No photography is allowed inside the Elizabeth Tower; however, you may take pictures in Westminster Hall before or after your tour.
- You should wear sensible shoes as the steps can be uneven and may be tricky to climb.
What to Do in London Around Big Ben
If you’re planning your visit around Big Ben, you’ll be happy to know its central location makes it the perfect spot to organise your day around.
Tour the Houses of Parliament
You can actually book a guided tour of the home of the UK government. The Houses of Parliament sit right next to Elizabeth Tower in the palace of Westminster (yes, the very same one that was destroyed in the fire!). The location includes the House of Commons and the House of Lords and you might not get to enjoy a lively debate, you can see the stunning gothic architecture and delicate interiors, as well as learning about the history – including the plot of Guy Fawkes. Book your tickets to the tour and find out more here.
Take a Ride on The London Eye
Perhaps as iconic, but much more modern than, Big Ben, the London Eye is known worldwide. The observation wheel (once known as Millennium Wheel) is the tallest of it;s kind in the world and offers unrivalled views of the city. Sip champagne, see the city, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Ready to take a ride? You can grab tickets from their website here.
Visit Covent Garden
Just a twenty-minute walk or a quick tube ride from Elizabeth Tower, you’ll find Covent Garden. It’s a vibrant and exciting district in the heart of London with everything from luxury fashion stores to unique artsy market stalls. Catch a West End show and tick it off your London bucket list.
Take the Perfect Picture
You’ve seen the picture before: Big Ben and the sky behind it – the perfect image of London. Don’t leave the city without the memory you’ll treasure forever. If you head to Westminster Bridge in the early morning or later at night (when the crowds are sleeping or busy enjoying the vibrant nightlife), it’s the ideal opportunity for photo snapping.
Stay at The Cumberland Hotel in Central London
For the perfect visit to Big Ben, you’ll want time to enjoy everything London has to offer and a base that makes getting to the iconic locations easy. That’s why the Cumberland Hotel is the perfect choice for your next London vacation. All you need to do is grab a tube from Bond Street and head down to Westminster, or if you’d rather spend a leisurely afternoon taking in the sites, you can walk down in less than an hour.
Our stunning rooms (check them out here) are the perfect sanctuary to retreat to after a long day climbing Elizabeth Tower, so why not book your trip today?
