- And that’s just for starters. Read on for 25 fun facts about Big Ben, including a few juicy snippets on the landmark’s ongoing renovation.
- This is incorrect however, and Big Ben is merely the nickname for the Great Bell within the clock itself. The wider structure of the tower has historically been called...
- The origin of the name ‘Big Ben’ is not clear, but it may have been named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw the installation of the Great Bell.
- Big Ben is one of London’s defining landmarks. Situated directly next to the Houses of Parliament, the tower can be seen and heard from far and wide.
- Better known as Big Ben (it's actually the name of the Great Bell!), this iconic clock tower which stands at the Houses of Parliament is officially called the Elizabeth...
- However, the whole tower is commonly referred to as Big Ben. It celebrated its 150th anniversary in May 2009 and it has a long and fascinating history.
- Big Ben is really only the bell, although many people refer to the clock, the tower, and the bell as Big Ben. Big Ben's birthday is April 10th, 1858.
- When one speaks of visiting London, Big Ben is a must-see. This four-faced freestanding clock is the third largest clock tower in the world.
- Officially "Big Ben" does not refer to the clock tower but instead to the huge thirteen ton Great Bell located at the top of the 320-foot-high tower.
- The history of the Big Ben Clock Tower at Westminster dates back to the 13th Century but the tower as we now know it has its roots in 19th Century Britain.