Big Ben in London: What Locals and Visitors Should See and Do

If you live in London, you've probably rushed past Big Ben while navigating Westminster crowds or dodging tourists pointing up at the famous clock. But if you’re planning to actually stop and check it out—either with mates or family—you’ll want a bit more on your side than just a camera phone.

Big Ben sits right next to Westminster Bridge, surrounded by major Tube lines like the Jubilee and District. So, it's dead easy to get to, whether you're coming from Canary Wharf, Clapham, or up from Kentish Town. No need for expensive hop-on-hop-off buses—just use your Oyster card or tap in with any contactless card.

You might think you can pop inside for a tour, but visits inside Big Ben are mostly for UK residents and only by booking through your MP, which is a bit of a faff if you’re just in town for a week. But don’t worry—the views from Parliament Square and Bridge Street are the big draw anyway. There’s always a gaggle of tourists snapping selfies from every angle, but locals know that the spot near the statue of Churchill gets you both Ben and the Houses of Parliament in one go.

• Getting to Big Ben (and Nearby Landmarks)
• What to Know Before You Go
• The Best Photo Spots and Views
• History and Odd Facts Worth Sharing
• Where to Eat, Drink, and Recharge
• Making Memories with Family or Friends

Getting to Big Ben (and Nearby Landmarks)

Big Ben, officially known as the Great Bell, anchors the north end of the Palace of Westminster right in the centre of London. If you’re planning a visit, forget about long taxi rides. The London Underground is your best bet: Westminster Station drops you right outside the exit facing Big Ben. You’re three steps from the action as soon as you tap out.

Buses work too, especially if you’re hopping between spots. Look for routes 11, 24, 148, and 211—they all stop within walking distance. Black cabs cruise the area all day, but expect traffic near Parliament during rush hour or if there’s a protest (which, in London, is most Fridays).

If you’d rather walk, taking the Thames Path gives you killer riverside views. Waterloo is less than a 15-minute stroll over the bridge, and you get to see the London Eye staring back at you the whole way.

Here are the main ways Londoners get to Big Ben, along with some travel time estimates in the table below:

You'll find loads of icons nearby. Parliament Square has monuments to Churchill and Mandela. Right across the street is Westminster Abbey (yes, the royal wedding one). Walk another five minutes up Whitehall, and you’ll reach Downing Street—number 10 if you want a cheeky photo behind the famous black gates. The South Bank is just a bridge away, and it’s packed with food stalls, street performers, and views of central London.

Quick tip: if you’re coming on a weekday, expect school trips and protest groups around lunchtime. Early mornings or late afternoons are quieter. And if it’s raining? Pack a brolly—there’s not much cover on Parliament Square.

What to Know Before You Go

Before you plan your trip to Big Ben, there are a few things to keep in mind so you don’t get caught out. First, Big Ben isn’t just the clock or the tower—it’s actually the nickname for the Great Bell inside Elizabeth Tower. You’ll see all three terms, but locals still say “Big Ben” when they mean the whole thing. The chimes go off every quarter-hour, and you’ll hear them loud and clear, all the way across Westminster Bridge to the South Bank.

Entry is not as simple as just walking in with your camera and flat white. Public access to the inside is for UK residents only, and you have to go through your MP to arrange a tour of the tower. These tours book up months in advance and involve climbing 334 steps—there’s no lift—so wear decent trainers if you ever manage to book one.

• The area gets busy all day, but the quietest times are before 9am and after 6pm, outside of the main lunch rush and tourist groups.
• The Westminster Tube station (on Jubilee, District, and Circle lines) is literally across the street. Best exit for the clock is Exit 4.
• There’s no official ticket or museum for Big Ben itself, but the Houses of Parliament run guided tours (for a fee) most Saturdays and in the summer recess. You can book online through the official UK Parliament website.
• Security is tight around Parliament Square, especially during events or protests. You’ll see a visible police presence so be prepared for bag checks and closed-off footpaths now and then.

If you’re bringing kids, know that the area isn't very pram-friendly during heavy crowds, and the traffic around Parliament Square is constant, so keep hold of little ones. For disabled access, the pavements can be tricky around Westminster Bridge, especially on busy days or when it rains (which, let’s be honest, is pretty often).

“Nothing else in the world can compare with Big Ben for instantly saying ‘London.’” – BBC’s Alan Dein

Grab a raincoat or a brolly if the weather looks dodgy since there isn’t much cover nearby. And if you want a proper photo, aim for a spot along the bridge or the small green patch opposite the Parliament buildings. That’s where most magazine and Instagram shots come from—and you’ll see why the second you get there.

The Best Photo Spots and Views

Getting a solid shot of Big Ben is about more than just standing in the middle of Westminster Bridge with the rest of the world. Locals have their favourite spots, and some give you angles you won’t find on the average tourist’s Instagram.

The classic view is straight from Westminster Bridge, standing facing the Houses of Parliament. If you want Big Ben lined up with the red double-deckers or a Thames river bus in the frame, this is your go-to place. Early mornings (before 8am) or evenings after 7pm are quieter, especially midweek. Weekends can get mad busy, especially when the weather’s decent.

Want something different? Try the South Bank walkway outside the London Eye. Cross over the bridge, swing left, and look back—you’ll get Big Ben, the Parliament buildings, the Thames, and often a rainbow of street performers in the foreground.

Another underrated spot is Parliament Square, near the Winston Churchill statue. You’ll have green space, classic London cabs whizzing by, and a clear view of the clock face. If you’re into vertical shots or want the Parliament towers thrown in, shoot from the corner near St. Margaret’s Church.

• Victoria Tower Gardens: Further down from Parliament, this park is quiet and gives you a more relaxed vibe with the Elizabeth Tower towering ahead.
• St. Thomas’ Hospital Gardens: Head across Westminster Bridge, take a left towards St. Thomas’ Hospital, and you’ll find benches on the south bank with uninterrupted views—no random heads in your shot.
• Riverside Walkway (Jubilee Gardens): Especially around sunset, you might catch the golden hour light bouncing off the clock face here.

There’s a fun (and surprisingly handy) stat: Big Ben’s tower—called Elizabeth Tower—stands at 96 metres tall. The clock faces themselves are 7 metres across, so your phone camera will easily pick it up at a distance.

Quick tip: Avoid crossing at rush hour unless you love being shoulder-to-shoulder. Bring a power bank—4K videos will zap your phone if you’re hanging around waiting for that big hourly chime.

History and Odd Facts Worth Sharing

Everyone calls the big clock tower 'Big Ben,' but here’s a head-turner: Big Ben is actually the nickname for the giant bell inside. The official name, since 2012, is the Elizabeth Tower, renamed for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Most Londoners still just say Big Ben, so don’t stress about getting it technically right.

This tower has been marking time over London since 1859. The bell itself cracked not long after being installed—classic London luck—but they turned it, and the crack hasn’t stopped its famous chime since. That chime even broadcasts on BBC Radio every hour, so you’ve probably heard it even if you weren’t nearby.

The clock faces are huge. Each one is seven metres across—that’s about the length of a double-decker bus. Those Roman numerals and fancy gold trim? Actually made from hundreds of bits of glass. At night, the faces light up, and you can spot them from across the Thames and from the London Eye.

• Big Ben’s accuracy is helped by a pile of old penny coins that get added or removed to the pendulum—a very British way to solve a problem.
• There are 334 steps if you’re specially invited to climb up. Most people, even locals, never see the view from the top.
• The bell weighs more than 13 tonnes, so moving it or replacing it isn’t really an option—they fix cracks right there in the tower.
• During World War II, the clock kept ticking even when Parliament took a direct hit from bombs nearby, and the bells kept on ringing too.

Plenty of Londoners only ever see Big Ben from outside, but now you’ve got some trivia to impress your mates or gawking relatives next time you go past.

Where to Eat, Drink, and Recharge

Once you’ve snapped a shot of Big Ben and had your fill of Westminster Bridge, hunger and thirst usually follow. You don’t have to settle for bland chain food in touristy zones—locals have a few favourites for proper grub and a comfortable break.

If you like classic pub vibes, The Red Lion on Whitehall is less than five minutes from Big Ben. Politicians from Parliament use it as a second office after sessions, and you can grab fish and chips or a pint from a proper London brewer like Fuller’s. For a quick bite on the go, Pret a Manger and Greggs are everywhere, but if you want something with personality, try The Laughing Halibut, which is a real hit for takeaway fish and chips—crispy, cheap, and filling.

Maybe you’re after something more relaxed, like coffee and cake. Head to Benugo in Westminster or Mint Leaf for a quieter sit-down with fresh pastries and views of busy streets. Southbank Centre Food Market is a short walk across the bridge for food stalls, fresh bakery options, vegan treats, and pulled pork baps—handy if you’ve got picky eaters or just want to try a bit of everything.

Need a quick caffeine fix? Look out for chains like Costa and Starbucks, or support an indie spot like Flatcap Coffee by Westminster Abbey, if you want proper beans. Most cafés won’t mind if you just grab a tea and give your feet a rest for a bit.

Heading out with kids in tow? Westminster Arms has a family-friendly vibe and a menu with everything from jacket potatoes to burger meals. For something posher, Roux at Parliament Square offers fine dining if you fancy a treat or want to splash out before heading home.

A tip if you’re around at midday—lunchtime fills up fast, especially on weekdays, so try to get in before noon or after two to skip the crowds.

Making Memories with Family or Friends

Bringing kids or a group to Big Ben in London isn’t just about pointing at a clock. Nearby, there’s plenty to see and do that’ll turn a quick visit into a fun outing. I’ve taken Lucian down there with his mates, and honestly, a little planning means zero boredom and a lot fewer moans.

• Before you go, check the times on the TFL website or Citymapper since the area can get stuffed during rush hour. Earlier in the morning or after 6pm is quieter if you’re not dragging along little ones with strict bedtimes.
• Start at the grass in Parliament Square. Kids can run about while grown-ups grab those classic shots of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. There’s usually a few red buses on the road—iconic for group photos.
• Walk across Westminster Bridge for views of the Thames and London Eye. If you’re lucky, you might catch street performers or buskers. It adds to the vibe, and it’s a hit with all ages.
• The nearby Jubilee Gardens (about a 10-min walk past the London Eye) is smart for families—decent playground, coffee stands, and always something going on. On weekends, street food vendors set up around Southbank, so you’re sorted if anyone’s peckish.
• Fancy a bit of learning? The Churchill War Rooms are just around the corner. If your group likes history, tickets can be booked ahead—much more fun than another standard museum if you ask me.
• River cruises leave regularly from Westminster Pier. They offer discounts for Londoners and families, and it’s a chilled way to see more of the city without more legwork.

If you want to skip queues and tantrums, avoid midday on weekends or big event days like the London Marathon or New Year’s fireworks. And a tip: pack a small snack and some water, since prices near tourist spots are eye-watering. For older teens, nipping into Westminster Abbey (kids under 5 go free) or heading down to the IMAX cinema for a film after exploring works wonders.

All up, with smart planning, a Big Ben outing turns into way more than just a stop for a photo. It's one of those classic London adventures worth repeating, especially with good company.