Where is Big Ben Located?

Imagine standing on the banks of the Thames as the chime of Big Ben ripples through the dawn mist. In this guide, we’ll pinpoint its exact address, chart the best ways to arrive, and unravel the historical choices behind its location—so you never miss a beat.

Exact Address, Coordinates & Map

Postal Address:
Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben), Palace of Westminster, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA, UK

GPS Coordinates:
51.5007292° N, 0.1246254° W

OS Grid Reference: TQ 302 790 (OSGB36)—a brass survey benchmark arrow still on the south face.

What3Words: clock.tower.angel—share this for pinpoint accuracy.

Quick Links: Google Maps | What3Words | Ordnance Survey

Getting There: Transport & Navigation

Whether local or international, reaching Big Ben is straightforward:

• Underground: Westminster (Circle, District & Jubilee); Exit 2 (Bridge Street) for 2-min walk; 05:30–00:30; Oyster/contactless zone 1 cap £7.40/day.
• Buses: 11, 24, 148, 159 to “Westminster Stn / Parliament Square” (3-min walk); Hopper fare valid 1h.
• River: Thames Clippers at Westminster Pier (200 m); scenic cruises.
• Cycle: Santander docks at Abingdon Green & Smith Square (250 m); Quietway 1.
• Taxi/Ride-Hail: Black cabs on Matthew Parker St; Uber/Bolt at Portcullis House (SW1A 2LW).
• Walking: Charing Cross: 0.7 mi via Whitehall (15 min); Trafalgar Square: 0.5 mi via Embankment (10 min).
• Accessibility: Step-free to Westminster station; no lift in Elizabeth Tower; audio maps at Visitor Centres.

Surrounding Landmarks & Context

Big Ben sits amid Westminster’s storied terrain:

• Westminster Abbey (160 m): Gothic coronation site mirroring the Tower’s drama.
• Parliament Square (80 m): Statues of Churchill, Mandela, Gandhi frame the profile.
• Palace of Westminster: The 1,100-room complex power-center of British governance.
• London Eye (650 m): Across the Thames for aerial views of Big Ben.
• Whitehall & Downing St (300 m): Photo-op with No. 10 beneath the clock’s shadow.

The Thames location was strategic: 1834 builders shipped materials by boat and built an embankment over marshland to support this emblem of democracy.

History of the Location

After the 1834 fire, Sir Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin’s Gothic Revival design began 28 Sept 1843. Brick-lined wells and an iron raft foundation hoisted the 15,000-ton Tower over marshland.

By 1859, the 315 ft (96 m) Elizabeth Tower stood, housing Big Ben with Denison’s gravity escapement for precision.

Through wars and jubilees, the Tower endures. Renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012, it underwent major conservation (2017–21), restoring masonry, metalwork, and Pugin’s palette.

Practical Visiting Details

Plan your visit like a pro:

• Tours: UK residents only; book via MP sponsorship at parliament.uk/visit. Duration ≈ 90 min; 334 steps; free.
• Viewing: Westminster Bridge for façade; Embankment Gardens for side angles; Squares North for panoramas. Best at 07:00–09:00 & 17:00–19:00.
• Seasonal Tips: Summer sun protection; winter markets and illuminations.
• Accessibility: Step-free exteriors; no internal lift; audio guides available.
• Facilities: Toilets at Parliament Square Gardens & Portcullis House; café & shop in Portcullis (08:00–18:00 weekdays); free Wi-Fi.
• Safety: Security screening; bag limits 40×30×15 cm; drones banned within 1 km without permit.

FAQ