This goes some way towards representing the many ways in which Big Ben is central to UK culture, and to London culture in particular. This means that the government has a responsibility towards preserving and maintaining the building so it can best be enjoyed by future generations. On this list it joins the likes of Stonehenge, The English Lake District and Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway as a place of important natural or cultural heritage in the United Kingdom. Since 1987 Big Ben has been awarded the great honour of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The change was marked by a naming ceremony, and the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, officially announced that the tower was to be renamed the Elizabeth Tower.ĭon’t worry about making this common mistake when visiting London however, as everyone else, even Londoners, use the name Big Ben as well. However, in 2012 the decision was made by Members of Parliament to rename the tower in tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The wider structure of the tower has historically been called the Clock Tower, ever since its completion in the mid 19th century. This is incorrect however, and Big Ben is merely the nickname for the Great Bell within the clock itself. Although it is by far the UK’s most famous landmark and is known all over the world, almost everyone mistakes the name Big Ben for the entire structure of the tower and clock.

Famous big clock in london