Big Ben at a glance
Strictly speaking, Big Ben is the Great Bell. The tower that holds it is the Elizabeth Tower, renamed in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II. Most people say Big Ben for the whole thing, and so does this guide. The tower is 96 m tall, has 11 floors and sits at the Palace of Westminster in the center of London. Five bells hang in it: the Great Bell and four quarter bells.
You can see the tower from the street every day. Going inside is a different matter. Only a guided tower tour takes you up, and places are released three months ahead. The visitor entrance for the Palace of Westminster is Cromwell Green, SW1A 0AA. The nearest Tube station is Westminster (Circle, District and Jubilee lines), on Bridge Street.
What this guide covers
An independent site, written for visitors.
This guide explains how the tower tour works, who is allowed to join and what the rules are. It also covers the Great Clock, the chimes, the history of the tower and its repairs, and the best places to photograph it. Around the tower you will find Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, the Churchill War Rooms, Thames cruises, Parliament Square and Whitehall. It is not run by the UK Parliament, Visit London, a tour company or a hotel. Tickets are sold by the operators, and prices change, so every figure here carries its year.
Two bigger sights nearby have their own sites: the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. This site stays with Big Ben and the streets around it.
Our picks: tours around Big Ben
Walks, a river cruise and the London Eye, all from outside the tower.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Westminster walking tour with Abbey option
A Blue Badge guide on a walk around Westminster, seeing Big Ben from outside. The four-hour option adds a guided visit inside the Abbey with a fast-track ticket.
Check availability →
London Eye ticket, standard or fast track
Entry for the 30-minute ride, with a choice of standard or fast-track admission. A free eye guide app is included.
Check availability →
Thames cruise from Westminster to Greenwich
One to two hours on the river with a fast-track boarding ticket, live English commentary and an audio guide in eleven languages.
Check availability →Westminster tours and cruises
Walking tours, Thames cruises and sightseeing tickets near Big Ben, with live prices and availability.
The tower, the clock and the bells
Start with the pages that match your plan.
Big Ben tower tour
Price, booking window, what the 90 minutes involve and the rules.
Can you go inside Big Ben?
Age limit, 334 steps, adapted tours and who cannot join.
London tours from Westminster
Walks, river boats and buses compared, with what each one includes.
The Great Clock
Four dials, a 4.4 m pendulum and old pennies for fine tuning.
Chimes and the Great Bell
Five bells, 13.7 tonnes and the Westminster Quarters.
History and repairs
From the fire of 1834 to the repair work that ended in 2022.
Big Ben facts
Height, steps, stone and the difference between 62 m and 96 m.
Best views of Big Ben
Westminster Bridge, the South Bank, Parliament Square and more.
Around Westminster
Sights, boats, passes and a place to sleep.
Westminster Abbey
Adult tickets cost £32 in 2026, with Sundays kept for services.
London Eye
Online from £29, a ride of about 30 minutes.
Churchill War Rooms
Adult tickets cost £34 from September 2026 to March 2027.
Thames cruises
River bus and sightseeing boats from Westminster Pier.
Things to do in Westminster
Parliament Square, Whitehall and Horse Guards.
London Pass compared
What it includes and why the tower is not on the list.
Where to stay near Big Ben
Westminster, the South Bank or Victoria: which area fits.
Good to know in 2026
Where older articles are out of date.
Visitors from abroad are welcome
The tower tour is open to visitors from the UK and from other countries, from age 11. The idea that only UK residents can climb the tower is out of date. Free places for UK residents exist as a separate route through a Member of Parliament.
Who can go inside →The tower tour costs £55 now
For tours from 1 August 2026 an adult ticket is £55, and ages 11 to 17 pay £35. Older prices you may see online no longer apply.
Tour tickets →The repairs are finished
The tower is no longer a building site. The work ran from 2017 and regular bell service returned in 2022. A parliamentary report of 5 February 2026 gives the final cost as £88 million.
History →Getting there costs a little more
The Congestion Charge is £18 since 2 January 2026 if paid on time, and electric cars are no longer free by default. A bus fare is £1.75 now and £1.85 from 1 November 2026. A Tube trip within zone 1 is £3.10 at peak and £3.00 off-peak.
Westminster →Big Ben: frequently asked questions
Is Big Ben the tower or the bell?
Big Ben is the Great Bell. The tower is the Elizabeth Tower. In everyday speech people use Big Ben for both, and the five bells in the tower are the Great Bell plus four quarter bells.
Can I go inside Big Ben?
Yes, but only on a guided tower tour, and not every visitor can climb it. The tour needs 334 steps and up to 90 minutes. See who can go inside for the rules.
How much does the tower tour cost?
For tours from 1 August 2026, an adult ticket is £55 and a ticket for ages 11 to 17 is £35. You can buy up to 8 tickets per booking, depending on availability. The tour page explains when tickets are released.
Can I see Big Ben without a ticket?
Yes. The tower is visible from the street on any day. Good spots are Westminster Bridge, Parliament Square and the South Bank. See the photo spots page.
Is the London Pass valid for the tower?
No. The London Pass lists Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, the Tower of London and a Thames river pass, but not the Elizabeth Tower. The Tower of London is a different attraction. Book the tower separately, as described on the London Pass page.
Is big-ben.org an official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the UK Parliament, Visit London or any tour operator or hotel.