Big Ben / Parliament

Why Big Ben and the House of Parliament are special
Big Ben (on the far right side of the photo) is the world's most famous and recognizable clock. It has become the icon of London. This timepiece is part of the large building that houses the legislative body of the United Kingdom. It's a Neo Gothic architectural gem.

"Big Ben" name confusions
The term has several meaning

• Bell
  Officially, Big Ben refers just to the massive bell that clangs the hour.
  
• Clock-bell mechanism
  Nowadays, most people in England and beyond define Big Ben to define the whole clock-bell mechanism
  
• Clock tower
  Some people even use the term to define the entire clock tower (bell and all). See "Renaming" section below.

Although the second definition is unofficial, only a purist would object to someone using it.

Recent renaming
Elizabeth Tower
The clock tower (but not the clock) was officially renamed "Elizabeth Tower" in 2012 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 50th anniversary as the monarch.

Controversy: Some Brits liked the renaming. Others hated it (not the queen) - and will continue to call their endearing clock tower "Big Ben."  Because of the widespread popularity of the moniker "Big Ben" in England and internationally, I will use the old name in my website until the new one gains sufficient traction.

Other bells
Big Ben also has four smaller bells. They chime in preset sequences to indicate the quarter hour.

Enormous hands
Big Ben is amazingly accurate considering its size. Old penny coins are added or removed as counterweights to adjust the timepiece to maintain single-second precision.

Accuracy
Big Ben is amazingly accurate considering its size. Old penny coins are added or removed as counterweights to adjust the timepiece to maintain single-second precision.

Clock tower
It was built in 1859 and is as high as a modern 30-story building.

"Leaning Tower of London"
The structure is tilting about 1 millimeter (.04 inches) per year.

Parliament building
The clock tower is part of the Parliament complex. See photo on page one.

• Formal name
  Westminster Palace is the formal name of the 1000-room Parliament complex (it was once a royal abode).
  
• Today
  It is used by the House of Commons (substantial political power) and the House of Lords (scant political power).
  
• Tours are available
  If you are extremely lucky, you will view the House of Commons in session from the balcony when the opposition grills the Prime Minister with barbed questions. The debate is gripping.

Location in England