QuickCheck: Is it true that Big Ben is not the name of London's famous clock tower?

One of London's most iconic landmarks, the clock tower next to the UK's Houses of Parliament have long been referred to as "Big Ben". But is that actually what it's called?

WHEN it comes to visiting London’s historical landmarks, the iconic Big Ben clock tower will immediately spring to mind.

However, is it true that the name ‘Big Ben’ refers to the bell that hangs in the clock tower?

Verdict:

TRUE

Surprisingly, yes. It is the moniker for the Great Bell of the Great Clock Of Westminster!

The bell, weighing over 13,700kg, is still in operation and chimes every hour. Big Ben consists of over 1,300 pieces of opal glass.

Meanwhile, the clock tower itself, which stands majestically on the banks of the River Thames has also gone through a name change in 2012.

The real big ben. - pix courtesy of DS Pugh (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Initially called The Clock Tower, it was renamed to Elizabeth Tower to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

Today, the 165-year-old tower has remained an important cultural symbol of the city, greeting visitors from around the world.

References:

1. https://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/06/big-ben-is-not-the-famous-clock-tower-but-rather-the-name-of-the-great-bell-inside-the-tower/#google_vignette

2. https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/sightseeing/london-attraction/big-ben