When it comes to Symbols of London, the Big Ben is probably the most iconic. Located right next to the Big Ben is another popular attraction in London, The Palace of Westminster.
The Palace was once the residence of English kings. Today, the Palace of Westminster is where the House of Lords and the members of the parliament meet.
Visiting Big Ben and the Palace
The Palace is opent to visitors from Monday to Saturday, from 9.15am to 4.30pm, during the summer (from late July to early September). From mid September to early October, the Palace is open Wednesday to Saturday from 9.15am to 4.30pm. For thes remainder of the year the Palace if open to visitors during Saturdays, from 9.15am to 4.30pm.
Free of Charge tours of the Palace of Westminster are available for UK residents by prior arrangement, with a sponsorship from a member of parliament or a member of the House of Lords.
Both the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben can be accessed easilly from Westminster Tube station, which is served by District, Circle and Jubilee lines. The Palace and Big Ben are also accessible by various bus services. Coming by car is not recommended as the parking spaces in the area is limited and very expensive.
Interesting Facts About Big Ben
The tower holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world.
The Bell inside Big Ben weighs a massive 13,760 Kg. That is almost 14 tons.
Each dial (circular clock face) is 7 meters in diameter.
The minute hand is 4.2 meters long and around 100 Kg in weight.
The numbers are around 60 cm in length.
Around 312 pieces of glass make each clock dial.
The tower was completed in 1858 and is the most famous symbol of London and England.
Guy Fawkes (The Gun Powder Plot)
The 5th November is an important date in the British calendar, when Britons celebrated the failed plot by Guy Fawkes to blow up the House of Parliaments using Gun Powder in 1605.
On this date, better known as Bonfire Night or Fireworks night, Britains celebrate this failed attempt by lighting fireworks and burning the Guy (a effigy of Guy Fawkes) in a bonfire.