Big Ben & Houses of Parliament

The clock tower and Gothic parliament building are London's postcard, freshly restored and best admired free from Westminster Bridge or across the river. You can't casually pop inside: Big Ben tours cost £55 and sell out in minutes; Parliament tours run mostly Saturdays and recesses. For most visitors, this is a magnificent walk-past.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Is Big Ben the clock or the bell?

Strictly, Big Ben is the 13.7-tonne bell inside; the tower itself is the Elizabeth Tower, renamed in 2012. Everyone calls the whole thing Big Ben and nobody will correct you except pedants like me.

Is watching a debate in Parliament really free?

Yes, completely — join the queue at the Cromwell Green visitor entrance when either House is sitting. Expect airport-style security and a wait for popular sessions; quiet mid-afternoon debates are often walk-straight-in.

Can tourists visit the Houses of Parliament?

Yes — guided and audio tours of the Palace of Westminster run on most Saturdays and during parliamentary recesses, booked via parliament.uk. When Parliament is sitting, anyone can also queue for free to watch debates from the public galleries, including PMQs if you're lucky.

Can you go inside Big Ben?

Yes, but it takes planning: Elizabeth Tower tours cost £55 adult (£35 for ages 11-17) from August 2026, involve 334 steps, and tickets release in monthly batches on Parliament's official site — they vanish in minutes. UK residents can also request a free tour through their MP.

Where's the best photo spot for Big Ben?

The classic angle is from Westminster Bridge's south end or the Albert Embankment across the river, where you get the whole palace facade. For a quieter shot, the little garden by the Buxton Memorial in Victoria Tower Gardens works nicely.

How often does Big Ben chime?

The Great Bell strikes on the hour and the quarter bells chime every 15 minutes, fully back in service since the 2017-2022 restoration. Standing beneath it at noon for twelve bongs is a free little event in itself.

How hard is the Big Ben tour climb?

It's 334 spiral steps with rest stops built in, and there's no lift — you need to be genuinely comfortable with stairs and okay with enclosed spaces. Minimum age is 11, and you stand next to the bell as it strikes, which is thunderous.

What's the nearest tube station to Big Ben?

Westminster — take exit 1 and the tower is directly above you, which is one of the great tube-exit reveals in any city. Jubilee, District and Circle lines all stop there.

Nearby in Ask London

• Big BenAttraction0 km · 0 min walk
• Palace of WestminsterAttraction0.14 km · 2 min walk
• Westminster AbbeyAttraction0.24 km · 3 min walk
• Tattershall CastleRestaurant0.44 km · 5 min walk
• St James's ParkPark0.69 km · 9 min walk