When you think of London, one sound cuts through the noise—the deep, rhythmic chime of the Westminster Clock, the four-faced striking clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, commonly but incorrectly called Big Ben. Also known as Big Ben, it’s not just a clock—it’s a national symbol that has marked time through wars, celebrations, and political shifts for over 160 years. Most people don’t realize Big Ben is actually the name of the bell inside the tower, not the tower or clock itself. The clock mechanism, designed by Edmund Beckett Denison and built by Edward John Dent, is one of the most accurate mechanical clocks of its era, keeping time within a second of the correct time thanks to a stack of pennies placed on the pendulum. It’s a feat of Victorian engineering that still runs without modern electronics.
The Houses of Parliament, the seat of the UK government and home to the House of Commons and House of Lords rises beside it, a Gothic Revival masterpiece that’s just as iconic. The clock tower—officially called Elizabeth Tower since 2012—was built to house the clock and bell so that members of Parliament and the public could hear the time clearly across the city. Today, it’s one of the most photographed landmarks in the world, appearing in films, news broadcasts, and postcards. Locals know it as the heartbeat of London’s political life. When Parliament is in session, the clock’s chimes echo through Westminster, signaling the start of debates, the end of votes, and the quiet rhythm of democracy in motion.
The London landmarks, the defining sights that shape how visitors and residents experience the city around Westminster don’t stop at the clock. Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London, and the River Thames all form a historical corridor that connects the past to the present. The Westminster Clock doesn’t just tell time—it ties together history, politics, and culture. It’s been silent only a handful of times: during World War II bombings, during maintenance, and once in 2017 for repairs. Each pause felt like a moment of collective holding of breath.
What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just a list of attractions. It’s a collection of real, unfiltered stories about London’s most powerful spaces—the places where people meet, relax, celebrate, and reflect. From the best whisky bars near Parliament to the hidden massage spots in East London, these posts show how the city moves beyond its landmarks. You’ll read about how to dress for a night out near the Thames, what it’s really like to book an escort in London, and why a foot massage can feel more healing than a full-body one. The Westminster Clock is the constant. Everything else? It’s the life that flows around it.
Big Ben, London’s iconic clock tower, has kept precise time for over 160 years using mechanical ingenuity, pennies, and tradition. Discover how this Victorian marvel still ticks in sync with modern London.