You’re standing on Westminster Bridge, the wind is whipping off the Thames, and you’re pointing your phone at that massive, golden clock tower. You turn to your friend and say, "Look, there’s Big Ben!"
You’re wrong. Sorta.
Technically, if you're looking at the Big Ben tower London locals know and love, you’re looking at Elizabeth Tower. Big Ben is actually the name of the Great Bell inside. It’s a distinction that tour guides love to correct, but honestly, even the UK Parliament website admits that almost everyone uses the name to describe the whole landmark. It’s arguably the most famous silhouette in the world, yet it’s shrouded in these weird little myths and naming technicalities that most tourists completely miss.
The tower that almost didn't happen
Let's go back to 1834. A massive fire basically gutted the old Palace of Westminster. It was a disaster, but it gave London a chance to build something iconic. Charles Barry won the commission to design the new palace, but he didn't actually design the clock tower himself. He outsourced that bit to Augustus Pugin.
Pugin was a Gothic Revival fanatic. He lived and breathed pointed arches and intricate stonework. This tower was actually his final project before he tragically went mad and died. It’s kind of haunting to think that one of the world's most cheerful symbols of stability came from a mind that was falling apart.
The tower stands about 315 feet tall. If you want to get to the top, you're climbing 334 stone steps. There is no elevator. If you’re lucky enough to score a tour—which usually requires being a UK resident and writing to your MP—you’re going to be sweating by the time you reach the belfry.
What’s in a name?
So, why "Big Ben"?
💡 You might also like: The Largest Spider in the World: What Most People Get Wrong
There are two main theories, and historians are still fighting about it. The first points to Sir Benjamin Hall. He was the First Commissioner of Works and a big man—literally. They called him "Big Ben." His name is even inscribed on the bell.
The second theory involves Benjamin Caunt, a heavyweight boxing champion from the 1850s. People loved their sports heroes back then just as much as we do now. While the Sir Benjamin Hall theory is the "official" one you'll hear from the authorities, the boxing connection has a lot of supporters among local historians who love a good underdog story.
The tower itself was just "The Clock Tower" until 2012. That’s when it was renamed Elizabeth Tower to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Most people still don't call it that. Even the signs nearby often give in to the "Big Ben" pressure because that's what everyone is typing into Google Maps.
The clock that keeps the world on time
The clock mechanism is a masterpiece of Victorian engineering. Designed by Edmund Beckett Denison and Edward Dent, it was installed in 1859. It’s insanely accurate.
How accurate?
Well, it’s regulated by a stack of old pennies. If the clock is running a tiny bit fast or slow, the Clockmaker adds or removes a single copper penny from the top of the pendulum. This tiny weight change alters the clock's center of gravity and changes its speed by about 0.4 seconds per day. It’s brilliantly low-tech for a building that symbolizes the heart of a modern government.
📖 Related: Sumela Monastery: Why Most People Get the History Wrong
During World War II, the clock faces were dimmed so German pilots couldn't use the light for navigation. But the clock kept ticking. Even when a bomb hit the House of Commons and destroyed it, the tower stood firm. The bells kept chiming. It became a symbol of British "Keep Calm and Carry On" long before that phrase was on a million coffee mugs.
The massive renovation (2017-2022)
If you visited London a few years ago, you probably saw a giant mass of scaffolding. It was depressing. For five long years, the bells were mostly silent while workers painstakingly restored the Victorian masonry and the clock mechanism.
They found some surprises.
The clock faces weren't actually black. For decades, we all thought the dials were black and gold. Turns out, that was just 150 years of London soot and "restoration" paint from the 1930s. The original Victorian color was a vibrant Prussian blue. When the scaffolding came down in 2022, people were shocked. It looked brand new. Some people hated the blue at first, but it’s actually the most authentic version of the Big Ben tower London has seen in a century.
Why the bells sound so weird
The Great Bell weighs 13.7 tons. It’s huge. But if you listen closely to the strike, it has a slightly "off" or cracked tone.
That’s because it is cracked.
👉 See also: Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown: The Honest Truth About Staying Here
The first bell they cast cracked during testing. The second bell—the one up there now—cracked in 1859, just two months after it started ringing. Instead of replacing it (which would have been a nightmare), they just turned the bell a quarter-turn so the hammer hit a different spot. They also used a lighter hammer. The crack is still there, and that’s why Big Ben has that distinct, slightly somber E-natural note.
Seeing it for yourself
Most people just take a selfie and keep walking toward the London Eye. Don't do that.
If you want the best views of the Big Ben tower London offers, head to the South Bank right at sunset. The way the light hits the gilded details on the clock faces is incredible.
Things to watch out for:
- The Ayrton Light: Look at the very top of the tower, above the clock faces. There’s a light that shines when Parliament is sitting after dark. It was originally installed at the request of Queen Victoria so she could see from Buckingham Palace when her ministers were working.
- The Detail: Use a zoom lens or binoculars. The Latin inscription under each clock face reads Domine Salvam Fac Reginam Nostram Victoriam Primam, which means "O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First."
- The Lean: Most people don't realize the tower leans. It’s tilting about 0.26 degrees to the northwest. It’s not exactly the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but it’s moving. Experts say it’ll be a few thousand years before it’s an actual problem, so you’ve got time.
Navigating the Westminster area
It’s crowded. Like, really crowded.
Westminster Bridge is the "Instagram" spot, but it’s also full of pickpockets and "cup and ball" scammers. Be smart. Keep your bag in front of you.
For a much better view without the elbows in your ribs, walk down to the Victoria Embankment. You get a side-on view of the tower and the Parliament buildings that feels much more cinematic.
Also, if you're planning on hearing the chimes, they happen every quarter hour. The big "bong" (the actual Big Ben) only happens on the hour. If you’re there at noon, you get the full twelve strikes, which is pretty powerful when you’re standing right underneath it.
Actionable steps for your visit
- Check the schedule: Use the official UK Parliament website to see if the Ayrton Light is on. It’s a cool bit of trivia to know the MPs are inside debating while you’re eating a crepe outside.
- Photography timing: Blue hour—the period just after sunset—is the sweet spot. The tower's internal lights come on, and the Prussian blue of the clock faces really pops against the darkening sky.
- The "Secret" View: Head to the Great George Street crossing. If you time it right, you can get a photo of a red double-decker bus perfectly framed with the tower in the background. It’s the ultimate "London" shot.
- Avoid the Scams: Seriously, stay away from the street performers and gamblers on the bridge. They’re professional distractions.
- Combined Trips: You’re right next to Westminster Abbey. Do both. The Abbey is where the history is buried, but the tower is where the heartbeat of the city lives.
The Big Ben tower London is more than just a giant clock. It’s a survivor. It’s survived pollution, Blitz bombings, and the wear and tear of millions of tourists. Even if you only have an hour in the city, this is the one thing you can't skip. It represents a specific kind of British persistence. Plus, now that it's been cleaned up, those blue dials are honestly stunning. Just remember to call it Elizabeth Tower if you want to impress a local—though they’ll probably just roll their eyes and call it Big Ben too.