How to Visit Big Ben 2026: Tickets, Tours, Photo Tips

Last Updated on July 28, 2026 by Daniel Globe

Discovering the History and Significance of Big Ben

Officially named the Elizabeth Tower, Big Ben has stood over London’s skyline since the 19th century. It was built as part of Charles Barry’s design for the new Palace of Westminster after fire destroyed the old palace in 1834. Barry, the project’s chief architect, brought in Augustus Pugin — a pioneer of the Gothic Revival style — to design the tower itself, drawing on earlier work Pugin had done at Scarisbrick Hall. Construction ran from 1843 to 1859.

The tower stands 316 feet (96 metres) tall on an 11-storey frame, with a square base 40 feet across. Its four clock dials, each 22.5 feet in diameter, have made it a working symbol of London — and of British parliamentary history — since it opened.

“Standing 316 feet tall, the Elizabeth Tower houses Big Ben—the famous 13.7-tonne Great Bell whose chimes have echoed across London since 1859.”

Best Times to Visit and How to Avoid Crowds

To see Big Ben without the crowds, visit early in the morning, when the area is quieter and the light is often best for photos. Weekdays are generally calmer than weekends, and late autumn or winter sees fewer tourists than summer.

Early Morning Visits

Arriving around dawn — roughly 5:30 to 6:00am — gives you open views and soft light for photos, well before tour groups and commuters fill the area. A few tips for an early visit:

1. Arrive at first light for the clearest views and quietest streets.
2. Bring a camera; the low sun works well for exterior shots.
3. Dress warmly — early mornings can be cold, especially in winter.

Weekday Sightseeing Tips

Weekday mornings and early afternoons tend to be less busy than weekends. Aim to arrive right after opening or mid-morning, before the midday rush builds. Visiting midweek generally means shorter waits and easier access to nearby viewpoints.

Avoid Peak Seasons

Summer months bring the heaviest crowds. A few ways to plan around that:

1. Visit in late autumn or winter, when tourist numbers drop.
2. Travel mid-week rather than on weekends.
3. Book any tour tickets as early as your dates allow — this matters even more than time of day, since tours sell out.

Viewing Options and Nearby Attractions

The best views of Big Ben are free. Westminster Bridge and the South Bank both offer classic angles, and a river cruise gives you a moving view of the tower against the skyline. Parliament Square is another good vantage point, and it puts you close to the Winston Churchill statue for a photo that includes both.

Nearby, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament make natural additions to a walking route, and Victoria Tower Gardens gives you a quieter green space to take in the view without the bridge crowds.

Accessing Inside the Clock Tower

To go inside the Elizabeth Tower, you need an official guided tour booked in advance — there’s no walk-up access. It’s a genuinely physical visit: a narrow 334-step spiral stairwell with no lift, so it’s worth knowing what you’re signing up for before you book.

Booking Your Tour

Tickets are released online three months in advance, on the second Wednesday of each month at 10:00am UK time, through UK Parliament’s official booking site. Tours are popular and sell out within minutes. UK residents can also request a free tour by contacting their local Member of Parliament (MP), though availability is strictly limited and requests should be submitted months in advance.

1. Book directly through parliament.uk or its official ticketing partner — avoid third-party resellers.
2. Check the exact release date for your travel month before planning around a specific day.
3. Confirm age and fitness requirements before booking, as tickets are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable.

Security Procedures and Regulations Explained

Before entering the tower, all visitors must pass through an airport-style security check, including metal detectors and bag X-rays. Large bags, luggage over 15 litres, sharp objects, and liquids are strictly prohibited inside the tower, and there are no cloakroom or storage facilities on site.

Photography and video recording are permitted in exterior public spaces, but are strictly forbidden during security screening and inside the clock tower itself to protect security and operational machinery.

Tour Duration Details

The guided tour runs up to 90 minutes and covers all 334 steps, with planned pauses along the way to rest and take in exhibition spaces that use audiovisual displays to tell the tower’s story. Along the route you’ll see the inner workings of the clock mechanism, stand near the Big Ben bell as it strikes, and get a close look at the dials from behind.

Planning Your Visit: Tickets, Tours, and Regulations

Planning a visit mainly comes down to timing your ticket purchase. Since tours are released three months out and sell out quickly, decide your travel dates early and book the moment tickets open.

Getting Around and Transportation Tips

Big Ben sits in central Westminster, making it easy to reach via public transit.

1. Underground: Westminster Station (District, Circle, and Jubilee lines) is directly across the street. Use Exits 1 or 2 for immediate views of the clock tower upon emerging.
2. Bus: Numerous TfL bus routes stop at Parliament Square and Westminster Bridge, offering scenic approaches.
3. Walking: It’s an easy stroll from Westminster Abbey, Victoria Embankment, or Waterloo Station across Westminster Bridge.

Victoria, Charing Cross, and Waterloo mainline rail stations are each roughly a 15- to 20-minute walk away if you prefer walking over taking the Tube.

Photography Tips for Capturing Big Ben

Golden hour — shortly after sunrise or before sunset — gives the tower’s stone facade a warm glow that flat midday sun cannot match. For sharp exterior shots, use a narrow aperture (around f/8–f/11) and a low ISO to keep noise down. A tripod or handheld stabilizer helps when shooting from the Thames riverbank at dusk during long exposures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Visiting Big Ben is easy to enjoy for free from Westminster Bridge or the Thames riverbank, and well worth the extra planning if you want to climb the tower itself. Book early, aim for an early morning or weekday visit to beat the crowds, and remember that the interior tour involves a strenuous 334-step climb. Between its rich history, iconic presence, and the thrill of standing beside the Great Bell itself, Big Ben remains one of London’s most essential stops.

Sources

1. UK Parliament — Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower Tours — Official booking schedules, ticket pricing, and visitor policies
2. UK Parliament — Before You Book Requirements — Health, safety, age, and security regulations
3. UK Parliament — Key Historical Dates of Elizabeth Tower — Architectural design history and construction timeline
4. GOV.UK — Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) — Official UK entry requirement details for international visitors