Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell inside the Elizabeth Tower, the 96-metre Gothic clock tower attached to the Palace of Westminster in London, built after fire destroyed the original palace in 1834 and first chiming on July 11, 1859.
The tower was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, though “Big Ben” remains the popular name for the tower, clock, and bell as a whole. It is visible and free to view from the outside at any hour, while entry to the tower itself requires a pre-booked guided tour running Monday to Saturday.
Most visitors spend 15 to 30 minutes admiring the exterior and taking photos from the surrounding Parliament Square area, while those who book the full guided climb, which lasts up to 90 minutes, should plan for closer to 1.5 to 2 hours including time exploring the neighborhood.