Things to do in London - Big Ben

Placed at the north-eastern end of The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben is a clock tower designed by Augustus Pugin, but to be more precise the clock’s name refers rather to the bell weighing as much as 13 tons. They say it derives its name from either a renowned heavyweight boxer of the time, Benjamin Caunt or the original Commissioner of Works, Benjamin Hall. The mechanism announces its presence by loud striking on the quarter hour. More importantly, it is possible to deduce if the House of Commons is in session from a light in the clock that indicates it. The hands of the clock are 2.7 metres long (the hour hand) and 4.3 metres long (the minute hand). Equipped with its large enough faces it is the biggest four-faced clock with chimes in the world. Being properly isolated from weather factors like ice, snow and birds, Big Ben’s pendulum is very reliable in terms of time accuracy. Perhaps because of its substantial size and glorious name the clock is one of the most popular landmarks in London.