Big Ben
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Sir Charles Barry sought advice from Benjamin Lewis Vuillamy - clockmaker to the Queen - and Augustus Pugin when it came to designing the clock tower that is affectionately known as Big Ben today. The most famous clock tower in the wiorld, attached to the Houses of Parliament, has become a familiar and much loved landmark, its great bell chiming on the hour (and every quarter of an hour too) keeping time with Greenwich meantime. The name Big Ben was initially given to the Great Bell which was created at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry and first struck in 1859. The most likely explanation of the name it that it comes from Sir Benjamin Hall, First Commissioner for Works from 1855-1858 whose name is inscribed on the bell. Now the moniker is the accepted name for the whole of the Clock Tower - albeit begrudgingly by some. Weighing in at 13.7 tonnes, at the time of its casting Big Ben was the largest bell in the British Isles and the clock face the second largest in the country (after the Liver Building in Liverpool). UK residents can arrange a free tour of Big Ben through their local MP but space is extremely limited and you'll need to book three to six months in advance. Overseas visitors cannot currently visit the tower.
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Big Ben
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Find out the best London 2019 events with our comprehensive guide to the top entertainment in the city throughout the year. From January through to December, 2019 is packed with unmissable events - so read on to get the best out of London town.
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London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel from £181 24% off
22-28 Broadway, SW1H | 7 minutes from Big Ben
With Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, St James's Park and the Thames all on its doorstep, Conrad London St. James is the ideal option for ... More
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel from £126 21% off
Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 | 7 minutes from Big Ben
The Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is a modern, design-led hotel a short walk from some of the city's most iconic attractions, such as Big Ben and ... More
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel from £113 27% off
1 Addington Street, SE1 | 7 minutes from Big Ben
Close to Waterloo, the 4 star Park Plaza is - as the name suggests - just behind County Hall. Near to the Thames, it's also convenient ... More
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
Parliament Square, St Margaret's Street, Westminster, London SW1A | Same location as Big Ben
Now more commonly known as the Houses of Parliament, the Palace of Westminster began life in 1042 as a royal residence under Edward the Confessor. The ... More
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
Parliament Square, Westminster, London SW1P | 1 minute from Big Ben
The Upper House of the British Parliament, the House of Lords is part of the Palace of Westminster, more commonly known as the Houses of Parliament. ... More
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
St Margaret's Church, Westminster, London SW1P | 2 minutes from Big Ben
Standing between Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, St Margaret's Church is commonly called "the parish church of the House of Commons". A fine 16th ... More
London > Attractions > Boats and Bridges
Victoria Embankment, Westminster, London SW1A | 2 minutes from Big Ben
Westminster Bridge lies on the Thames between the Houses of Parliament and County Hall with the delights of the Southbank Centre and the National Theatre beyond. ... More
London > Attractions > Museums
Clive Steps, King Charles Street, Westminster, London SW1A | 5 minutes from Big Ben
Winston Churchill directed the troops during World War II from a small warren of underground rooms, which are now open to the public. Visitors ... More
London > Attractions >
Downing Street, SW1A | 6 minutes from Big Ben
Best known for the house at no. 10, Downing Street is at the heart of Westminster and British politics. Closed to members of the public, the ... More
London > Events > Concerts Dates: Thursday 21st March 2019 - 1.05pm
Big Ben, Smith Square, SW1P | 5 minutes from Big Ben
The group performs a classical programme....More
London > Events > Exhibitions Dates: 24th March 2018 to 24th March 2019
Big Ben, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 | 6 minutes from Big Ben
Opening to the public on 24th March 2018, just in time for the Easter holidays, Rainforest Adventure brings the UK's largest population of piranhas to SEA ...More
London > Events > Theatre Dates: 6th October 2017 to 29th March 2020
Big Ben, Belvedere Road, SE1 | 6 minutes from Big Ben
Set the Debating Chamber of London's County Hall - a room which resembles a courtroom in every way - Lucy Bailey's site-specific staging of Agatha Christie's ...More
London > Entertainment > Classical Music
Smith Square, Westminster, London SW1P | 5 minutes from Big Ben
Situated in the heart of Westminster, this stunning 18th century church was designed by architect Thomas Archer and completed in 1728. It is considered one of ... More
London > Entertainment > Comedy Clubs
County Hall, 5 Chicheley Street, South Bank, London SE1 | 8 minutes from Big Ben
Situated in the heart of London at Southbank, and right in front of tourists' favourite the London Eye, The Slug and Lettuce is the perfect place ... More
London > Entertainment >
10 Leake Street, South Bank, London SE1 | 8 minutes from Big Ben
The Vaults under Waterloo are an intriguing venue that play host to a number of underground events. Prime among them is the annual ... More
London > Shopping > Books
119-120 Lower Marsh, South Bank, London SE1 | 9 minutes from Big Ben
If you hate the commercial, branded feel of mega bookshops like Waterstones and Borders this one's a treat. Crockatt and Powell is an independent bookshop that ... More
London > Shopping > Markets
The Workshop, Lambeth High Street, SE1 | 10 minutes from Big Ben
On the second Saturday of the month Vintage Vauxhall brings together collective of dealers specialising in vintage, antiques, architectural reclamation as well ... More
London > Shopping > Books
Riverside, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall, South Bank Centre, South Bank, London SE1 | 10 minutes from Big Ben
The family-run Foyles book shop has been in the book selling business since 1906. Around 30,000 books are stocked at this branch on a broad range ... More
London > Restaurants > Afternoon Tea
Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London SW1A | Same location as Big Ben
Enjoy afternoon tea in one of the world's most iconic buildings, The Palace of Westminster. More commonly known as the Houses of Parliament, the palace's history ... More
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
1-2 Bridge Street, Westminster, London SW1A | 2 minutes from Big Ben
Nero is probably the best of the Capital’s coffee shop chains. Offers a wide range of authentic Italian coffee in a pleasant relaxed environment. Snacks include ... More
London > Restaurants > British restaurants
20 Dean's Yard, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London SW1P | 3 minutes from Big Ben
British Cuisine... More
London > Education > Arts and Drama
Somerset House, Covent Garden, London WC2R | 16 minutes from Big Ben
The Courtauld is one of the most prestigious art schools in the country, affiliated with the Oxbridge system and boasting a huge private location and prime ... More
London > Education > Universities and Colleges
24 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, WC2H | 18 minutes from Big Ben
The London Film School is the oldest-established international school of film technique in the world. The school has contributed significantly to ... More
London > Education > Professional Training
Elephant & Castle, Elephant and Castle, London SE1 | 21 minutes from Big Ben
From a clutch of excellent courses in London, this is the best and among the premier specialist media courses in the world. Formerly London College of ... More
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
Westminster Bridge Road, South Bank, London SE1 | 6 minutes from Big Ben
Fancy detoxing in the building where the Greater London Council used to run the city? The Spa at the London Marriott County ... More
London > Leisure > Parks and Gardens
3 Belvedere Road, South Bank, South Bank, London SE1 | 6 minutes from Big Ben
The concrete promenade along the South Bank greatly benefits from this large patch of green grass for striders, strollers and sightseers to relax on. Not ... More
London > Leisure > Parks and Gardens
Lambeth Palace Road, South Bank, London SE1 | 7 minutes from Big Ben
Adjacent to Lambeth Palace on the banks of the River Thames , the Garden Museum provides an insight into the ... More
London > Nightlife > Pubs
48 Parliament Street, Whitehall, Westminster, London SW1A | 3 minutes from Big Ben
Right across the street from the Houses of Parliament, the Red Lion is perfectly positioned for politicos to pop in for a pint after a heated ... More
London > Restaurants > Gastropub
39 Dartmouth Street, Westminster, London SW1H | 6 minutes from Big Ben
Two minutes away from Parliament Square and the Cabinet warm rooms, the Two Chairmen Public House is an olde worlde pub that retains a number of ... More
London > Restaurants > Gastropub
53 Whitehall, Westminster, London SW1A | 9 minutes from Big Ben
Just a hundred yards from Trafalgar Square, the MOD and the Horse Guard's Parade, The Clarence has an undeniably impressive location that attracts both locals and ... More
Nightlife near Big Ben
London > Nightlife > Bars
Corinthia Hotel London, Whitehall Place, Westminster, London SW1A | 8 minutes from Big Ben
The cocktails in the Bassoon Bar are very good, expensive, yes, but very, very good. Not only that but the bar has a piano which is ... More
London > Nightlife > Wine Bars
3 Brewers Green, Buckingham Gate, Westminster, London SW1H | 9 minutes from Big Ben
Wine Bar ... More
London > Nightlife > Bars
15 Craig's Court, St James's, London SW1A | 10 minutes from Big Ben
Built in 1694 on Craig's Court, just south of Trafalgar Square, Walkers of Whitehall was originally ... More
Meeting venue hire near Big Ben
London > Business > Venue Hire
Victoria Street, Westminster, London SW1P | 3 minutes from Big Ben
Conference facilities can accommodate for up to 1100 people.... More
London > Business > Venue Hire
Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P | 4 minutes from Big Ben
Seven floors of purpose-built meeting space in the heart of Westminster, the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre (QEIICC) is a well known permanent conference space situated ... More
London > Business > Venue Hire
Storey's Gate, Westminster, London SW1H | 4 minutes from Big Ben
Central London's largest conference and events venue has welcomed an array of illustrious speakers through the ages - including Gandhi, Churchill and the Prince of Wales. ... More
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Hotels Near Big Ben What's On Today Near Big Ben  Rainforest Adventure: SEA LIFE London Exhibitions | Until 24th March 2019 Sea Life London Aquarium 6 minutes walk from Big Ben Opening to the public on 24th March 2018, just in time for the Easter holidays, Rainforest Adventure brings the UK's ...More  Witness For The Prosecution Theatre | Until 29th March 2020 The Debating Chamber, County Hall 6 minutes walk from Big Ben Set the Debating Chamber of London's County Hall - a room which resembles a courtroom in every way - Lucy ...More  Mandela: The Official Exhibition Exhibitions | Until 2nd June 2019 26 Leake Street 8 minutes walk from Big Ben Following on from the Southbank Centre's centenary exhibition last year, another Nelson Mandela Exhibition comes to London in 2019. Taking ...More  Admissions Theatre | Until 25th May 2019 Trafalgar Studios 9 minutes walk from Big Ben ER actress Alex Kingston and Miranda favourite Sarah Hadland star in Admissions as Daniel Aukin directs the West End transfer ...More Diane Arbus: In The Beginning Exhibitions | Until 6th May 2019 Southbank Centre 10 minutes walk from Big Ben Explore the first seven years of the photographer's career, from 1956 to 1962. Her photographs of children and eccentrics, couples ...More Kader Attia: The Museum Of Emotion Exhibitions | Until 6th May 2019 Southbank Centre 10 minutes walk from Big Ben Using a wide range of media, Attia explores the ways in which Western colonialism has shaped not only how we ...More Tommy Emmanuel Concerts | On 20th March 2019 Southbank Centre 10 minutes walk from Big Ben The Australian virtuoso guitarist performs his jazz, rock, blues and country material from his five-decade career....More  Soundpit Kids Events | Until 2nd June 2019 Southbank Centre: Royal Festival Hall 10 minutes walk from Big Ben An interactive musical instrument from artist Di Mainstone, with giant sandpits which are brought to life with graphics, sounds, and ...More Phildel Concerts | On 20th March 2019 Southbank Centre 10 minutes walk from Big Ben Haunting electronica material from the singer-songwriter supporting her first album in five years, titled Wave Your Flags....More  Follies Theatre | Until 26th March 2019 National Theatre: Olivier Theatre 11 minutes walk from Big Ben After a sold-out run, Follies, winner of the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival in 2018, returns to the National ...More New on LondonTown  Megan's at the Power Station Dining Megan's are a series of small, dog-friendly neighbourhood ...More  Learn to Play Weekend at Yamaha Music London Exhibitions | From 23rd March Encouraging people to pick up an instrument and ...More  Tabby McTat Theatre | From 6th April Southbank Centre: Queen Elizabeth Hall This Easter holidays a musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's children's book comes ...More Beauty Weekend at Wolf & Badger Exhibitions | From 22nd March Wolf & Badger at Cola Drops Yard is hosting a special Beauty Weekend this week. Running from Friday to Sunday, the special event presents a line-up of ethical ...More Garage Nation: 20 Years of Scala Clubbing and Nightlife | On 23rd March Iconic music venue Scala celebrates its 20th birthday in 2019, and to celebrate the occasion it will host Garage Nation Scala this weekend. Garage Nation have now been ...More  Peggy Porschen Chelsea Shopping Pretty-in-pink cafe Peggy Porschen has a second outlet with this Chelsea shop at 219 King's ...More  On The Bab Soho Dining Cult Korean street food restaurant On The Bab serves bibimbab, bao and the new Korean-style ...More  In The Willows Theatre | From 9th May Clive Rowe stars as Mr Badger in the hip hop musical adaptation of In the ...More  Brasserie Blanc Fulham Reach Dining Overlooking Hammersmith Bridge, the riverside Brasserie Blanc in ...More  Abandoman: BassDrop Comedy | From 10th July Fast-paced musical comedy sketches and hip hop improvisations from Rob Broderick, who seamlessly weaves audience ...More  Mark Watson: How You Can Almost Win Comedy | On 13th June Following his experiences on Celebrity Island with Bear ...More  Trash Test Dummies Kids Events | From 29th May Award-winning slapstick comedy circus show which takes wheelie bins to new heights and delivers a ...More  Criminal: An Improvised Murder Mystery Comedy | On 25th May Four comedians presents an anarchic night of improvised ...More  John Robins: Work In Progress Comedy | On 15th May More existential musings from the Perrier Award-winner, digital ...More  Santo Remedio Dining Husband and wife team Edson and Natalie started Santo Remedio in 2013, running pop ups ...More London Events 2019 Feature Cate Blanchett comes to the National Theatre in 2019, the Spice Girls reunite and Christian Dior is the Designer of Dreams at the V&A. New musicals are dedicated to Dolly Parton, Pirates and Mary Poppins, ...More Trent Country Park Leisure The largest park in Enfield, Trent Park has an impressive avenue of lime trees, two lakes, a lake, moat and a Go Ape....More The Poodle Club Entertainment Small comedy in Sydenham with a friendly atmosphere, drinks and freshly popped popcorn....More 
Hotels near Big Ben
From cheap budget hotels to luxury 5 star suites see our discounts for Big Ben hotels, including Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel London from 83% off. |
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