If one image says “London,” it is the golden clock tower rising over the River Thames. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are the city’s beating heart, and for most visitors they’re the first thing on the list — and rightly so. Here is what makes them special and how to enjoy them on your trip.
Big Ben Isn’t the Tower
Here’s the fact that trips up almost everyone: “Big Ben” is not the tower itself. It is the name of the giant bell inside it, weighing more than 13 tonnes, that has chimed the hours since 1859. The tower that houses it is officially the Elizabeth Tower, renamed in 2012 for Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. The clock below the bell is one of the most accurate large mechanical clocks in the world, and hearing those famous chimes ring out across Westminster in person is a genuine London moment.
The Houses of Parliament
Attached to the tower is the vast, pinnacled Palace of Westminster — the Houses of Parliament, where the United Kingdom has been governed for centuries. Its dramatic Gothic Revival design, all spires and intricate stonework, looks almost too theatrical to be a working seat of power, but inside, the House of Commons and the House of Lords meet here to this day. The whole complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it looks magnificent floodlit after dark.
Can You Go Inside?
You can’t simply wander in, but tours are available. UK residents can arrange a climb up the Elizabeth Tower to see the clock mechanism and bell up close, while visitors from anywhere can book guided or audio tours of the Houses of Parliament, usually on Saturdays and during parliamentary recesses. If politics interests you, you can even watch debates from the public galleries. Book well ahead, as spots are limited and popular.
The Best Views and Photo Spots
For most people, the magic is from the outside — and the views are free. The classic shot is from the middle of Westminster Bridge, especially at sunset when the stone glows gold. Parliament Square gives you the grand frontal view, while the South Bank across the river is perfect for capturing the tower reflected in the Thames at dusk. Come back after dark too; floodlit, it’s a completely different sight.
Practical Tips
The nearest Underground station is Westminster, and you step out almost beneath the tower. Everything here clusters together: Westminster Abbey is a two-minute walk, the Churchill War Rooms are around the corner, and a stroll across the bridge brings you to the London Eye. Give yourself an unhurried hour to take photos, listen for the chimes on the hour, and soak up the spot where so much of London’s story has unfolded. It costs nothing to admire, and it never disappoints.
More London guides: explore the full London Travel Guides series.
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