Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the striking clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster (map), although the name is frequently extended to also refer to the clock and the clock tower (map).

The official name of the tower in which Big Ben is located was originally the Clock Tower, but it was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012, to mark the *Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom.

When completed in 1859, its clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock in the world. The tower stands 316 feet (96 m) tall.

The tower is a British cultural icon recognised all over the world. It is one of the most prominent symbols of the United Kingdom, and it is often used in the establishing shot of films set in London.

All four nations of the UK are represented on the tower in shields featuring a rose for England, thistle for Scotland, shamrock for Northern Ireland, and leek for Wales.

The clock’s movement is famous for its reliability. On top of the pendulum is a small stack of old penny coins; these are to adjust the time of the clock. Adding a coin has the effect of minutely lifting the position of the pendulum’s centre of mass, reducing the effective length of the pendulum rod and hence increasing the rate at which the pendulum swings. Adding or removing a penny will change the clock’s speed by 0.4 seconds per day. It keeps time to within a few seconds per week.

12 August 1949: The clock slowed by four and a half minutes after a flock of starlings perched on the minute hand.

TRANSPORT FOR LONDON – is a government organisation responsible for all public transport. Their website contains maps plus an excellent journey planner. The Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world. (+ Connections map)

⇒ Also сheck оut мore info: Getting around (visitlondon.com) • Transport (london.gov.uk) • Travel to and around England (visitengland.com)

BUS: National Express. By far the largest domestic coach operator and operates services throughout Great Britain. London’s coach hub is Victoria Coach Station (map), an Art Deco building opened in 1932.

TRAIN: National Rail network, with 70 per cent of rail journeys starting or ending in London. + Train – Planning trip.

AIRPORT: Heathrow Airport, in Hillingdon, was for many years the busiest airport in the world for international traffic. Gatwick Airport is second airport, also serving a large spectrum of places world-wide. ⇒ airportguides.co.uk – list of airports.

FERRY: River boat services on the Thames known as Thames Clippers, which offers both commuter and tourist boat services. + River Transport Services.

Bicycles may be taken on car ferries and on Eurotunnel shuttle trains. Eurostar allows folding bikes on all its trains, and offers a more restricted service for other bikes, but has quite strict and specific rules that are worth reading up on before you travel.

We’ve reached the half way stage in the Elizabeth Tower restoration project just in time for Big Ben’s 160th birthday! Big Ben chimed for the first time on 11 July 1859 and to celebrate we’re giving you a sneak peek behind the scenes. A huge amount of work has been going on under the scaffolding to restore the Elizabeth Tower. Watch to learn more about the gilding process, the stonework, and the glassmaker’s work.

⇒ video source: UK Parliament / youtube.com /

Ways to visit the UK. Visit for tourism, business or a short stay (up to 6 months), airport transit visas. + Visa & Entry (visitbritain.com)

Our article about the city of London. Information about the city’s attractions, culture, events, and activities. Public transport.

We can help you making your journey using the most up to date information from around the UK for all transport companies.