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 mock Gothic Clock Tower building 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. 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 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.
London Marriott County Hall
London County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB
Overlooking the London Eye and directly across the river from Big... More
Green Park to the South Bank
Distance & Difficulty - 2.5 miles. A peaceful meander through town.
Highlights - Strolling in St James's Park, the view from ... More
Palace of Westminster
The Houses of Parliament
Parliament Square, Westminster, St Margaret Street, SW1A 0AA
Home of politics.
Now more commonly known as the Houses of Parliament, the... More
New Year's Day Parade
Starts at Parliament Square
1st January 2009
A major American-style parade, with extravagant floats, marching bands from around the country and beyond, street performers,... More
Thames River Boats
Riverboat from Westminster to Hampton Court
From the heart of town - Westminster Millennium Pier is next door to Big Ben - you can... More
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. ... More
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 ... More
Horse Guards Parade is the setting for various military ceremonies throughout the year including the Trooping the Colour which marks the Queen's official birthday. At the ... More
Emulating the style of a French chateau, this grand Victorian residence, built in 1884, occupies a prime location within Westminster. It’s worth staying at the ... More
On 1st January 2010 London welcomes the New Year in with an American-style parade, with extravagant floats, marching bands from around the country and beyond, ...More
A branch of Smiths is a fixture of practically every high street up and down the country. The chain sells stationery, magazines, books, greeting cards, ...More
Topshop is a byword for High Street Fashion in England, known for their inexpensive plain tops, basic collections and a good range of accessories. The ...More
Iqbal Wahhab’s grand venture in the magnificent Old Westminster Library has a dignified, traditional vibe. The imposing setting is the height of late Victorian taste, ... More
Inn the Park (unfortunate name) is the brainchild of famed restaurateur Oliver Peyton, his idea being to cook up quality alternatives to the soggy sandwiches ... More
Part Victorian pub, part museum dedicated to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous sleuth.
Thirsty Sherlock Holmes fans look no further than this homage to the ... More
One of the West End's finest dance music venues, The Island manages to keep the drunken Soho crowds away by being exceedingly well concealed in ... More
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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 mock Gothic Clock Tower building attached to the 
