BIG BEN

Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, and often extended to refer to the clock and the clock tower.

The tower is now officially called the Elizabeth Tower, after being renamed in 2012 (from "Clock Tower") to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II. The tower holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and is the third- tallest free-standing clock tower. The tower has become one of the most prominent symbols of the United Kingdom and is often in the establishing shot of films set in London. THE SOUTH CLOCK FACE BEING CLEANED ON 11 AUGUST 2007

The tower at dusk, with the London Eye in the background The dial of the Great Clock of Westminster. The hour hand is 9 feet (2.7 m) long and the minute hand is 14 feet (4.3 m) long.

The origin of the nickname Big Ben is the subject of some debate. The nickname was applied first to the Great Bell; it may have been named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw the installation of the Great Bell, or after boxing's English Heavyweight Champion Benjamin Caunt. Now Big Ben is often used, by extension, to refer to the clock, the tower and the bell collectively, although the nickname is not universally accepted as referring to the clock and tower.

THE PALACE OF WESTMINSTER, ELIZABETH TOWER AND WESTMINSTER BRIDGE.