Big Ben

Big Ben is over 150 years old and is one of London’s famous landmarks. It is the nickname of the Clock tower of the Palace of Westminster. Technically, Big Ben is the massive bell inside the clock tower, which weighs more than 13 tons. It is officially known as Elizabeth Tower since 2012 in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

It holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and is the third-tallest free-standing clock tower. Each dial is 7 metres in diameter. The minute hands are 4.2 metres long and weigh about 100kg and the numbers are 60 cm long. When parliament is in session a special light above the clock face is illuminated to let the public know. The tower is one of the most prominent and iconic symbols of both London and England, often in the establishing shot of films set in the city.