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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Plan the perfect year in the capital with our pick of the best events in London 2021. From January to December, every month boasts an impressive line-up of entertainment. So take a look at our guide and be sure not to miss a thing.
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London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
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 £149 41% 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 £149 32% 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
Events near Big Ben
London > Events > Exhibitions Dates: 27th Feb & 28th Feb and 4th Mar to 7th Mar 2021 - 10.15am-4.30pm
Big Ben, 2 Lambeth Palace Road, SE1 | 6 minutes from Big Ben
...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
Hotels Near Big Ben What's On Today Near Big Ben ![]() Fourth Plinth: Heather Phillipson THE END Exhibitions | Until 26th March 2022 Trafalgar Square 11 minutes walk from Big Ben London born artist Heather Philipson puts an ice cream with a cherry on top on The Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar ...More Lynette Yiadom-Boakye: Fly In League With The Night Exhibitions | Until 9th May 2021 Tate Britain 12 minutes walk from Big Ben A major survey of the British artist's portraits of fictitious people created between 2003 and the present day, which are ...More Turner's Modern World Exhibitions | Until 7th March 2021 Tate Britain 12 minutes walk from Big Ben Major works by JMW Turner from around the world, which demonstrate how he transformed the way he painted, including The ...More Songs For A New World Theatre | Until 14th March 2021 Vaudeville Theatre 14 minutes walk from Big Ben Seimi Campbell directs David Hunter, Rachel John, Cedric Neal and Rachel Tucker in a limited West End run of Jason ...More ![]() Hello, Dolly! Theatre | Until 6th March 2021 Adelphi Theatre 15 minutes walk from Big Ben Multi Olivier and BAFTA Award winning Imelda Staunton plays meddlesome socialite turned matchmaker Dolly Levi, taking the title role in ...More ![]() The Play That Goes Wrong Theatre | Until 2nd May 2021 Duchess Theatre 17 minutes walk from Big Ben Presented by the award-winning, international comedy company Mischief Theatre, The Play That Goes Wrong follows the inept and accident prone ...More Six The Musical Theatre | Until 18th April 2021 Lyric Shaftesbury Avenue 17 minutes walk from Big Ben Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss' playful musical history lesson about Henry VIII and his six wives, which puts the spotlight ...More Pretty Woman: The Musical Theatre | Until 4th September 2021 Piccadilly Theatre 17 minutes walk from Big Ben Aimie Atkinson plays Vivian Ward and Danny Mac is Edward Lewis in the romantic musical based on the 1990 film, ...More Adam Kay: This Is Going To Hurt Comedy | Until 7th March 2021 Palace Theatre 18 minutes walk from Big Ben Adam reads aloud unsettling entries from his diary as a junior doctor and intersperses the anecdotes with songs....More ![]()
Hotels near Big Ben
From cheap budget hotels to luxury 5 star hotels see our discounts for Big Ben hotels, including Park Plaza County Hall Hotel London from 74% off. |
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