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Why is Big Ben famous for kids?

The tower of Big Ben is an important London landmark. The clock is known for being an excellent time-keeper. The bell is known for the sound it makes as it chimes every hour on the hour. Four smaller bells in the tower chime the quarter hours.



Big Ben is famous among kids primarily because of its iconic appearances in popular culture, most notably in Disney’s Peter Pan, where the Darling children land on its massive clock hands. In 2026, it remains a "fairytale" landmark that represents the heart of London. Kids are often fascinated by its sheer scale: the minute hands are 14 feet long and weigh as much as a small car. Another "cool factor" for children is the Great Bell's deep, booming "E-natural" chime, which can be heard up to five miles away. Following the major restoration completed in the early 2020s, the clock face now shines in its original Prussian Blue, making it a favorite for "London Eye" views. Many kids also find it funny that "Big Ben" is actually the name of the bell inside, not the tower itself (which is the Elizabeth Tower), and that the clock's accuracy is still adjusted using a stack of old British penny coins on the pendulum.

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10 things we bet you didn't know about Big Ben
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  • #2 – The clock face is made from hundreds of individual pieces of glass. ...
  • #3 – Big Ben was built 164 years ago. ...
  • #4 – It's really tall.


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2012: The Clock Tower is renamed the Elizabeth Tower to honour HM Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.

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Literally towering at a height of 96 meters, Big Ben features 334 steps for those willing to take the challenge of climbing from the ground floor to the belfry! Pretty appearances aside, the clock featured on the tower is renowned for its precision and accuracy.

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The London clock tower, Big Ben was rotated by a quarter, causing the hammer to strike a different place of the bell. Meanwhile, the hammer was lightened to prevent further damage. The bell has sounded at a slightly different pitch ever since, and the crack has never been repaired.

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Inside Big Ben and how to visit You can visit Big Ben by booking a 90-minute guided tour that takes visitors up 334 stairs to see the clock mechanism room, behind the four clock dials and the Belfry, where the famous bell is located. Tours can be booked by visiting the official UK Parliament website.

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With its prominent position overlooking the River Thames and the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben was a highly visible target for enemy aircraft during World War II. To prevent the bell tower's sounds from aiding enemy aircraft, the clock's chimes were silenced for the duration of the conflict.

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