Last updated:
Few sights say London quite like the gilded clock tower rising above the River Thames. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament sit at the heart of Westminster, where the working seat of British government meets one of the most photographed silhouettes in the world. This guide is for the discerning visitor who wants more than a passing glance: where to stand for the finest views, whether you can step inside, and how to plan a visit that respects both the history and the working life of the building.
What Big Ben actually is
Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell housed inside the Elizabeth Tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. Strictly speaking, Big Ben is the bell, not the clock or the tower, though most visitors use the name for the whole landmark. The tower stands beside the Houses of Parliament on the bank of the Thames.
The tower was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, having previously been known simply as the Clock Tower. Its four faces, the chiming quarter bells and the deep toll of the Great Bell on the hour have marked time over the city for generations.
Can you go inside Big Ben and Parliament?
Yes, both can be visited, though access differs. The Houses of Parliament offer guided and self-guided tours of the historic interiors when Parliament is not sitting, and visitors may also watch debates from the public galleries. Climbing the Elizabeth Tower to see Big Ben is possible on a separate, limited tour that involves a long staircase.
A few practical points are worth knowing before you book:
- Tours of the Houses of Parliament take you through Westminster Hall, the grand corridors and both the House of Commons and the House of Lords chambers.
- The Elizabeth Tower climb is reached on foot via a spiral staircase of several hundred steps, with no lift, so a reasonable level of mobility is required.
- Watching a debate from the public gallery is generally free, while guided tours are ticketed and should be arranged in advance.
- Security screening applies to all visitors, so allow extra time and travel light.
The best views and photo spots
The classic view of Big Ben is from Westminster Bridge, looking back at the tower and the riverside facade of Parliament. For a wider composition, cross to the South Bank near Westminster Bridge or take in the panorama from the opposite riverbank, where the tower, the Thames and passing boats line up beautifully, especially in the soft light of early morning or dusk.
Each vantage point offers something different:
- Westminster Bridge for the head-on, postcard angle with the clock face dominating the frame.
- The South Bank riverside walk for a fuller view of the whole palace across the water.
- Parliament Square for the tower framed by statues and the Gothic stonework at street level.
- St James's Park and its bridge for a leafy, layered view back towards the spires of Whitehall and Westminster.
- A river cruise on the Thames for the building seen from the water, a perspective the crowds on the bridge never get.
For a panoramic sweep that includes Big Ben in the wider skyline, the nearby London Eye lifts you high above the South Bank and frames the whole of Westminster from the air.
A short history of the Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster has been the home of English and British government for centuries. The present building is largely Victorian, rebuilt in ornate Gothic Revival style after a devastating fire in 1834 destroyed the medieval palace. The surviving Westminster Hall, dating from the late eleventh century, is one of the oldest parts and a highlight of any tour.
The rebuilt palace was designed by Charles Barry with the detailed Gothic decoration of Augustus Pugin. The complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised alongside neighbouring Westminster Abbey for its outstanding historical and architectural importance. Westminster Hall has hosted coronation banquets, state trials and lyings-in-state across nearly a thousand years.
How to get to Westminster
The easiest route is the Underground to Westminster station, which sits directly beside the Houses of Parliament and surfaces almost at the foot of Big Ben. The station is served by the Jubilee, District and Circle lines, making it simple to reach from across central London and well connected to the rest of the network.
Other ways to arrive add to the occasion:
- On foot along the river from the South Bank, an easy and scenic walk past the London Eye.
- By river boat to Westminster Pier, arriving at Parliament from the Thames itself.
- By bus, with many central routes stopping near Parliament Square and Whitehall.
- From Waterloo or Charing Cross mainline stations, both within comfortable walking distance.
What to see nearby
Westminster is one of the densest corners of historic London, so a visit to Big Ben pairs naturally with several landmarks within a short walk. Westminster Abbey stands across the square, Whitehall leads north to Downing Street and the Cenotaph, and the riverside path opens onto views of the South Bank and beyond.
- Westminster Abbey, the coronation church of British monarchs, directly opposite Parliament.
- Whitehall and Downing Street, the ceremonial heart of British government.
- St James's Park, a graceful royal park leading towards Buckingham Palace.
- The Churchill War Rooms, the underground bunker preserved from the Second World War.
From here the rest of royal and ceremonial London is within reach, including Buckingham Palace at the far end of St James's Park. For more landmarks across the capital, browse the full London attractions guide.
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament FAQ
Is Big Ben the clock or the tower?
Big Ben is technically the Great Bell inside the tower, not the clock or the tower itself. The structure that houses it is called the Elizabeth Tower, renamed in 2012 from its earlier name of the Clock Tower. In everyday use, most people call the whole landmark Big Ben regardless.
Can you climb the Elizabeth Tower?
Yes, the Elizabeth Tower can be climbed on a guided tour, though places are limited and should be booked ahead. The ascent is on foot up a spiral staircase of several hundred steps with no lift, so a good level of fitness and mobility is needed. The reward is a close view of the clock mechanism and the bells.
Is it free to visit the Houses of Parliament?
Watching debates from the public galleries of the House of Commons and House of Lords is generally free of charge. Guided and self-guided tours of the historic interiors, by contrast, are ticketed and usually run when Parliament is not sitting. It is best to check current arrangements and book tours in advance.
Where is the best place to photograph Big Ben?
Westminster Bridge gives the classic head-on view, with the clock face filling the frame. For a wider shot of the whole palace, walk to the South Bank or the opposite riverbank. Parliament Square and the bridge in St James's Park offer further angles, and early morning brings the calmest light and thinnest crowds.
Which Tube station is closest to Big Ben?
Westminster station is the nearest, sitting directly beside the Houses of Parliament at the foot of Big Ben. It is served by the Jubilee, District and Circle lines, making it one of the most convenient Underground stops in central London for reaching the landmark and the wider Westminster area.
Where to go next
Continue exploring the capital's great landmarks with our full London attractions guide, or plan a wider Westminster and riverside day around Buckingham Palace and the London Eye. For a contrasting view of the city from the east, the historic Tower of London makes a memorable next stop.
