Big Ben - The ultimate landmark on the London skyline. (Big Ben)

Member Name: katykicker

Product:	Big Ben
Date:	26/07/09 (43 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Looks fantastic at night, doesn't cost anything to get close to.

Disadvantages: None.

Big Ben is one of the most instantly recognisable Landmarks in London. Big Ben is a large clock tower that is located at the North-Eastern side of the Palace of Westminster and it is the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world.

The clock first began chiming on 31st May 1859 and has only stopped or been stopped on 9 occasions either due to WW1 or WW1 or due to weather conditions or stoppage for urgent repairs.

The film has been featured in many different films over the years including Shanghai Knights, The Thirty-Nine Steps & it also appeared to be partially destroyed in an episode of Doctor Who.

The clock tower stands at 316 feet tall and is one of the tallest clock towers in the world. It's height just fills me with awe every single time I walk by and I always find myself stopping for a few moments to watch it and wait to hear the oh so familiar chimes ringing out. The tower is made from brick with stone cladding and on the rare occasion that anybody is allowed inside the clock tower there are around 330 limestone steps to be walked up. The interior of the tower is closed to the general public due to security reasons.

Big Ben is in close proximity to the London Eye so when going around on the Eye it's possible to really understand just how high Big Ben is!

Big Ben is the name of the bell itself which was rumoured to be named after Sir Benjamin Hall who oversaw the installation of the Great bell.

I believe that Big Ben is something that all visitors and locals in London should have their photograph taken outside of. It towers over Westminster in an amazing way and it's just one of the most phenomenal Landmarks in London.

Because Big Ben is located in the centre of London there are so many different areas to visit in the close proximity and it's easy to plan a fantastic day out around the viewing of this fantastic clock tower.

One of most iconic moments I can remembering seeing Big Ben was at the Millenium when I was at a friend's house and we saw it on television and I will always think of it when I remember the start of the year 2000. I fought to stay up all night and was amazed that I actually managed to do it, as did my friend. I usually hear the chimes each year whenever I am, be it a friends house, nightclub etc.

I believe that if you know an MP they may be able to arrange for you to have a tour of the interior of the building so if you are fortunate enough to be in this position then I would definitely recommend it. Also, night time is the best time to view the tower (in my opinion) as it's lit up and really stands out in the almost dark night sky.

I would have to rate a visit to Big Ben as being 5/5 as it's the ideal background for any tourists photograph in London and if you stand on Westminster Bridge there is usually lots of people around who are willing to take photographs for you (be careful if you have an expensive camera of course!).

Summary: A fantastic Landmark that I never tire of seeing.