Big Ben

Big Ben is one of the most famous landmarks in London, England. Many people think Big Ben is the name of the tall clock tower, but it is actually the name of the giant bell inside. The tower itself is officially called the Elizabeth Tower. The clock has been keeping time for over 160 years.

The Giant Clock

The clock on the Elizabeth Tower has four faces, one on each side. Each clock face is 23 feet wide, about as tall as a two-story house. The minute hands are 14 feet long, and each one weighs about 220 pounds. The clock is so accurate that a small stack of coins on the pendulum is used to fine-tune the time.

The Bell Called Big Ben

The bell named Big Ben weighs about 13.5 tons. That is as heavy as two elephants! It rings every hour, and its deep bong can be heard from miles away. The bell has a small crack in it, which gives it its famous slightly wobbly sound. Four smaller bells chime every 15 minutes.

Fun Facts

• Nobody knows for sure who Big Ben was named after. It might be named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who helped oversee the project.
• The clock tower leans slightly to one side, but you would need special tools to notice.
• During World War II, the clock was not lit at night to prevent enemy planes from using it as a landmark.

Did You Know?

There are 334 steps to climb to reach the top of the Elizabeth Tower. There is no elevator, so visitors must walk every single step!