- However, the name ‘Big Ben’ was never given to the tower nor the clock but instead to the largest of the five bells behind the clock faces.
- The largest of the tower’s five bells is the Big Ben, which weighs 13.5 long tons (13.7 tonnes; 15.1 short tons) and is named after Sir Benjamin Hall.
- The Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster – officially named Saint Stephen’s Tower – is commonly known as the Big Ben.
- Big Ben – the name given to the great bell rather than the actual clock – was installed in the Palace of Westminster clock tower in 1859.
- This Huge Big Ben is famous for the giant 13 ton resounding bell that is inside the clock tower that incidentally also gives it its name; Big Ben.
- 2. Big Ben's clock tower has gone by several names. Even though it has assumed the Big Ben moniker, the tower has its own official name.
- We then went up to the clock tower. You stand within a couple of meters of Big Ben. They give you ear protectors. We saw it chime at 17.00.
- The real name of the tower, housing the clock, is 'Clock Tower'. Big Ben is the nickname of the main bell, formally known as the Great Bell, housed within the tower.
- 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.