Big Ben

Big Ben in Westminster - The name Big Ben is often used to describe the tower, the clock and the bell but the name was first given to the Great Bell. There are 334 steps to the belfrey and a total of 393 to the lantern (the Ayrton Light). The Clock Tower was completed in 1859 and the Great Clock started on 31 May, with the Great Bell’s strikes heard for the first time on 11 July and the quarter bells first chimed on 7 September.