Big Ben
The Big Ben is an iconic clock tower in London, England, UK. It is also known as the Elizabeth Tower although formerly it was simply known as The Clock Tower. Whether you refer to the tower by its official name or simply as Big Ben, people across the world will know exactly what you mean when they hear this name. Big Ben was built in 1859 and has become a popular icon for London and the UK. The name Big Ben actually only refers to the big bell that’s located inside the tower but has over time become synonymous with the entire structure. Since the tower was finished on 7 September 1859, the clock – the Great Clock of Westminster – was the largest four-faced clock in the world until the Allen-Bradley Clock Tower came along which was built in Milwaukee. 
Known colloquially as the Polish Moon, this tower has clock faces almost twice the size of those in London and each minute hand is a whopping 20 feet long! Chimes were never added to the Allen-Bradley Clock Tower, meaning the Clock Tower at Westminster retains the title for the world’s largest four-faced chiming clock. Actually the bell is hung in the tower and the bell weighs 14 tons which is situated at the very top of the clock tower. The original bell that was created cracked, however it was restored and built to forestall any more cracks. Big Ben is located at, and is an important component of, the Westminster Palace or the House of Parliament. When the Parliament is in session, the symbolic light above the Big Ben glows. 
After guiding the world on gas for almost half a century, the gas lighting of the dials was replaced by electric lighting in 1906. The electric winding followed suit in 1912. With time, Big Ben was embracing the digital technology and the Big Ben’s clock lights up at night. Since its creation the tower has gone on to become a strong icon that is associated with the city of London and England. Standing tall by day, Big Ben looks most spectacular at night when it is illuminated causing the clock tower to stand out against the night sky. In the 1960s heavy snow meant the minute hand was delayed by ten minutes as midnight approached and party goers celebrated the coming of 1962 slightly late, whilst in 1945 a large flock of starlings landed on the 14ft minute hand which was put back by five minutes. The clock has a diameter of 23 feet, and it was the biggest clock at the time it was constructed. It was designed by a man named Edmund Beckett Denison. It was built to be very reliable. It was made in a way that it can be protected from very bad weather and climate changes. UK residents are permitted to take a conducted tour to the top of the tower with the help of a local Member of Parliament. 
The Houses of Parliament consists of over 1000 rooms and the corridors run for 2 miles. Home to the most talked about clock in the world, the iconic stature of Westminster palace is beyond debate. Apart from being the host to a legend, Westminster Palace is a living guide to the events that have shaped the destiny of modern Britain. Big Ben is also a masterpiece of clock technology and has only ever stopped a few times which is an impressive feat considering the age of the clock. Though the Clock Tower is not open to the public, there are certain spots around the tower where you can get a beautiful view of the famous Big Ben. There are also many shops and restaurants located nearby that has a good view so you can just pick one that can satisfy your vibe. 
For visitors from abroad, the facilities are same, but are only open during Summer. They can visit and see the proceedings of the House of Parliament, as part of the sightseeing tour which includes Big Ben. People from UK and all around the world come to the Big Ben Clock Tower before a new year begins. They wait until the clock strikes 12 midnight. Once the New Year arrives, fireworks go off and the chimes of the bell will be heard to welcome the year with people around cheering and celebrating. People see this sight with great interest as most of them take pictures and videos to save its beauty in their cameras. Radio and T.V stations also broadcast the tune of its chines. All in all, London offers much more interesting things to do, but this is definitely a historic building that one must see in London. Make this your next travel destination and you will not definitely not regret stepping foot on this part of England.
