Big Ben (the Great Bell)

Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell housed within the Elizabeth Tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London. It weighs approximately 13.5 tons and is renowned for its deep, resonant chime that marks the hours. The term also commonly refers to the entire clock tower and its clock mechanism, which keeps precise time and has become a symbol of the UK. The bell’s distinctive sound has historically served as a time signal for Londoners and visitors, embodying Britain’s rich history of craftsmanship, engineering, and cultural tradition.