The Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower, commonly called Big Ben, are among London's most

iconic landmarks and must-see London attractions. Technically, Big Ben is the name given to the
massive bell inside the clock tower. The clock tower looks spectacular at night when the four clock
faces are illuminated. Big Ben has rarely stopped. Even after a bomb destroyed the Commons
chamber during the Second World War, the clock tower survived and Big Ben continued to strike the
hours. In June 2012 the House of Commons announced that the clock tower was to be renamed the
Elizabeth Tower in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. Elizabeth Tower stands at more
than 96 metres (105yrds) tall, with 334 steps to climb up to the belfry and 399 steps to the top of the
tower. The origin of the name Big Ben is not known, although two different theories exist. The first is
that is was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the first commissioner of works who was known
affectionately in the house as "Big Ben". The second theory is that it was named after a boxing
champion Benjamin Caunt, also known as "Big Ben. Despite other names, the name "Big Ben"
remains the most popular and is used for the general designation of the tower, clock and bell. The
clock tower was built in Westminster.Big Ben first rang across Westminster on 31 May 1859, and at
that time it had a completely different look. In 1834, a terrible fire broke out in Westminster Palace
and everything was burned down. It was rebuilt by Charles Barry together with the architect
Augustus Welby Pugin, who designed the present clock tower in the neo-gothic style.

The bridge was completed in 1894. It is about 240 metres (800 feet) in length and provides an
opening 76 metres (250 feet) wide. Its twin towers rise 61 metres (200 feet) above the Thames.
Between the towers stretch a pair of glass-covered walkways that are popular among tourists. The
walkways were originally designed to allow pedestrians to cross even while the bridge was raised,
but they became hangouts for thieves and so were closed for a very long time (almost 80 years).
Tower Bridge, one of the London’s most famous landmarks, is a bascule and suspension bridge on
River Thames. It has two towers, in Victorian Gothic style, that are connected with two walkways that
are constructed so they can resist horizontal forces from suspended parts of the bridge. Base of each
tower holds machines that lift two parts of the bridge so bridge can allow passing of river traffic
beneath it. Tower Bridge is located close to the Tower of London from which it got its name.

Buckingham Palace is located in the City of Westminster in central London and is one of the few
working royal palaces remaining in the world today.There are selected dates when visitors can tour
the 19 State Rooms which form the heart of the Palace. These magnificent rooms are decorated with
some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings. Try to time your visit to
see Changing the Guard, a popular free event which takes place outside Buckingham Palace on
certain days. Changing the Guard takes place at Buckingham Palace Forecourt every Monday,
Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. It starts at 10:45am and lasts for about 45 minutes.