Houses of Parliament & Big Ben

The best way to see Big Ben is from afar, to appreciate the scale of the 315-foot (96-meter) clock tower while also avoiding crowds nearby. Popular ways to admire the clock include taking a ride on the nearby London Eye or opting for a Thames River cruise. Alternatively, city tours of London—on foot or by hop-on, hop-off bus—typically pass by Big Ben, also stopping at Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London.

To go inside the Houses of Parliament, arrange an official tour or watch a debate from the public galleries. Big Ben is only accessible to UK residents.

• Big Ben is visited on most half- and full-day tours of London, whether on walking, biking, or bus tours.

• Take 10 minutes to admire the statues in Parliament Square, all of which depict famous political figures.

• Guided tours of the Houses of Parliament run most Saturdays, and the public galleries are open when parliament is in session.

• Big Ben is only accessible to UK residents, who must request permission from their local member of parliament to visit.

• Stop by after dark to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament illuminated.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are located on the north bank of the River Thames, easily accessible from the Westminster underground tube station, which is serviced by the Jubilee, Circle, and District lines. You can also hop off at Waterloo station to wander along the vibrant South Bank, past the London Eye, before crossing Westminster Bridge to reach Big Ben.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are must-sees of London vacations year-round. A particularly great time to visit is on New Year's Eve, when fireworks light the sky in a riot of color right in front of Big Ben. Be sure to book tickets for the fireworks display well in advance to avoid disappointment.

The origins of Big Ben, the popular—if not strictly official—name for the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament, is a subject of much debate. Some attribute the nickname to Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw the Great Bell's installation, while others give the credit to English heavyweight boxer Benjamin "Big Ben" Caunt. (Also, Big Ben is technically the name of the Great Bell, not the tower as a whole.)

The history of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben—also known as the Palace of Westminster—dates back some 900 years. A palace was built on the site in the 11th century as a residence for the king. Fires in the 16th and 19th centuries destroyed much of the buildings, save for Westmister Hall, which is the oldest remaining part. The buildings we know today were part of renovations and expansions led by Sir Charles Barry in the 19th century.

Yes, you can tour the Houses of Parliament and there are several options available—self-guided audio tours, 90-minute guided tours, and, for UK residents only, tours that explore democracy in the UK. Note that tours are typically only available on selected dates when Parliament is not in session.

The easiest way to get to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben is to use public transportation. Westminster station is located moments away and is served by the Circle, District, and Jubilee tube lines. Various river boat services stop at the adjacent Westminster Pier, and numerous buses frequent the area.

Big Ben is technically the name of one of the bells inside the tower; the tower itself is formally called the Elizabeth Tower. The bells strike every hour on the hour, while the quarter bells sound every 15 minutes. Hearing those iconic bongs is a classic London experience.

Yes, Big Ben—well, technically the Elizabeth Tower, as Big Ben is one of the bells inside the tower—is attached to the Houses of Parliament. A clock tower has stood on site since 1367, if not sooner. However, the Elizabeth Tower itself dates to the mid 19th century.

Yes, tourists can go inside the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben is the bell found inside the tower). Tour groups ascend the 334-step spiral stairwell to the belfry, and hear as the bells chime the hour (with earplugs). Note that tours have limited availability and book up months in advance.