The best family days out in London and beyond rated by kids and teens
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Discover Big Ben – London’s famous landmark that’s more than just a clock! Did you know, Big Ben isn’t the tower itself, but the bell that chimes inside? Yep, the tower’s actually called the Elizabeth Tower, paying homage to Queen Elizabeth II. And guess what? Big Ben’s official name is actually the Great Bell – talk about a bell-ringer of a fact!
As you ascend the winding staircase of the Elizabeth Tower, you can’t help but feel a tingling sense of excitement – after all, how often do you get to explore one of London’s most famous landmarks up close and personal? The 334 stairs may be narrow, but the laughs are plenty as your tour guide regales you with tales of royal scandals, political shenanigans, and the occasional mishap involving a rogue pigeon or two.
But fear not, parents – this tour isn’t just for history buffs. With interactive exhibits, fun facts, and even a few cheesy jokes thrown in for good measure, it’s guaranteed to keep even the most skeptical teens and kids entertained from start to finish. Plus, with stunning panoramic views of the London skyline from the top of the tower, it’s the perfect opportunity to snap a selfie or two and make your Instagram followers green with envy.
And hey, who knows? You might even spot a secret chamber or two hidden within the tower’s labyrinthine corridors – after all, every landmark worth its salt has a few mysteries up its sleeve!
Big Ben tours are not for the faint-hearted! With 90 minutes of clock-ticking adventure, prepare to conquer 334 steps (up and down!) and brave the cacophony of the clock mechanism (don’t worry, there are ear defenders!). And a word to the wise: once you leave ground level, there’s no turning back – so plan accordingly! ️
Even as a teenager, it was really interesting actually visiting Big Ben. Getting to know that the tower is actually called Elizabeth Tower and the clock is called Big Ben. We had to organise it through our local MP and it did take quite a long time so I recommend you do it at the beginning of the year if you want to do it in the summer…
The good news is it’s free so i have been able to tick it off my “bucket list”. I’d recommend this to any family or individuals wanting to do some sightseeing in London.
You can find loads more information by Laura Porter at aboutlondonlaura.com
As of April 2022, there’s still scaffolding on Elizabeth Tower, but it’s still an impressive sight. The clock face is now clear of scaffolding. We were unprepared for how massive it is. I might wait to visit until it’s been fully restored, but it’s incredible to hear Big Ben (the bell inside) ring on the hour – you can practically feel it. There are a lot of interesting facts about the building that are engaging for young visitors, such as the height of Elizabeth Tower is the same as 22 double decker buses stacked on top of each other and the clock face being 7 meters in diameter. Another being that it’s really the large bell inside that’s called Big Ben, not the whole tower. It’s a beautiful sight and I hope that the scaffolding comes down soon so that it’s even more impressive for all to see.