Ancient history

Where does the name Big Ben derive from?

Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of Westminster, which is the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world. The bell is located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London and is part of the clock tower, which is also known as the Elizabeth Tower.

The name "Big Ben" is thought to have come from Benjamin Hall, who was the First Commissioner of Works at the time the clock tower was built. Hall was a large man and the bell was named after him.

Another theory is that the bell was named after Benjamin Caunt, who was a boxer who was known as "Big Ben".