BIG BEN

Big Ben is the name of the big clock which is at the top of this tower and on the other side you can see Victoria tower. Between the two towers, you can notice the Houses of Parliament and on the right hand-side Tower Bridge. In front of this famous building and under the bridge, you can admire the Thames. Big Ben is the third tallest tower in the world and weighs thirteen tons. If you want to go and see this wonderful site in London, you can take the tube to go there.

A fire destroyed Westminster Palace in 1834. Afterwards, it was decided to build a new tower and a big clock at the top of it. The first bell was brought in 1856. It broke a few months after. On 31 May 1859, the famous clock (Big Ben) rang for the first time. Just two months later, Big Ben cracked.

The name (Big Ben) refers to Benjamin Hall who was very big and who decided to put a bell and it was also the biggest clock in the world when it was built.

Big Ben is one of London's best-known tourist landmarks, and looks truly spectacular when the clock faces are illuminated at night. Big Ben in England is a bit like the Eiffel Tower in France.

There are lots of statues of some important characters near Big Ben (like Churchill for example).

The legislative power in England is represented by the house of Lords and the house of Commons which are in the Houses of Parliament .

Sometimes Big Ben doesn’t tell the right time. If it delays you must remove a penny from the mechanism to adjust the time and if it takes the lead it is necessary to add a penny.
The clock was spared during the bombings in the Second World War.
Since 1859, Big Ben announces the new