Big Ben

Big Ben is a bell, not a tower, and almost nobody calls it by its correct name

The tower on the north end of the Houses of Parliament is called Elizabeth Tower – it was renamed in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, having previously been called simply the Clock Tower. Big Ben is the name of the Great Bell inside it, a 13.7-tonne cast iron bell that first rang in 1859. The bell cracked within two months of installation, had to be rotated to present a fresh face to the hammer, and has been ringing slightly imperfectly ever since. This distinction between the bell and the tower is one of those pedantic London facts that nonetheless points at something true: the thing most people come to see is not quite the thing they think it is.

The tower itself is a neo-Gothic masterpiece by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin, completed in 1859, rising 96 metres. From 2017 to 2022 it underwent a £61 million restoration – scaffolding covered the clock faces for years, the chimes fell silent for most of that period (the bell continued to ring for significant national occasions), and the restoration addressed structural damage, modernised the mechanical systems, and returned the decorative elements to their original Victorian colours, including repainting the clock faces from black to a deep Prussian blue.

Getting Inside

Tours of the Elizabeth Tower are now open to the public and are the best way to see the place properly. The 334-step climb takes you up the spiral staircase past the clock mechanism to the Belfry where Big Ben hangs. You will be given ear defenders, which is advisable – standing next to a 13-tonne bell when it strikes is not a subtle experience. Tours last 90 minutes and are guided throughout.

Tickets cost £55 for adults and £35 for children aged 11-17 from August 2026 onwards (previously £35 and £20). Children under 11 are not admitted, and visitors must be comfortable climbing 334 steps with no lift option. Tours are released three months in advance on the second Wednesday of each month at 10am – they sell out within hours, so set a reminder rather than trying at random.

Westminster and the River

Westminster Bridge, completed in 1862 in Gothic Revival style to complement the Parliament buildings, gives the standard postcard view of the tower from the South Bank. The view is genuinely good, and the bridge is free. For the most photographed angle, cross to the south side and look back – the tower frames cleanly against the sky with the river in the foreground.

Westminster Abbey is ten minutes’ walk west. It has been the site of coronations since William the Conqueror in 1066, and the accumulated weight of that history – the tombs, the Poets’ Corner, the Coronation Chair – makes it worth more time than most visitors give it. Tate Modern is on the South Bank, a 25-minute walk east; the combination of Westminster in the morning and Tate in the afternoon works well and requires minimal travel.

The South Bank walk from Westminster Bridge east toward Borough Market is one of the best free hours in London. The view of Parliament across the Thames holds well for the entire western stretch.

Eating Near Westminster

The Red Lion pub on Parliament Street has been serving politicians and journalists since at least the 18th century and serves reliable traditional British fare. Expect a mixed crowd of civil servants, tourists, and the occasional MP. For something quieter, the Cellar Kitchen and Bar on Whitehall does modern British cooking with seasonal ingredients and is less chaotic than the tourist-facing spots immediately adjacent to Parliament.

Where to Stay

The Park Plaza Westminster Bridge on the south side of the river has rooms with direct views of Elizabeth Tower and is well positioned for both the South Bank and Westminster. Rates are in the mid-luxury range. For a more budget-conscious option, the Hub by Premier Inn on Victoria Embankment is compact, central, and honestly priced. The Jubilee Line from Westminster station connects quickly to most of the rest of London, which means the immediate neighbourhood is less important than it might appear on a map.

The Practical Details

The best photography light is in the late afternoon, when the low sun hits the south and west faces. Early morning is quieter on Westminster Bridge and gives a softer quality of light. The interior tour releases sell out far in advance – if you miss the booking window, check the resale board on the Parliament website closer to your travel date, as some slots are occasionally returned.