Much more than a clock
The shape is iconic. Even the outline drawn in a single line is recognisable.
No wonder Big Ben is the most instagrammed place in the UK. And social media is not the only place you will come across Parliament’s clocktower.
Big Ben has captured the imagination of the country, indeed the world. The clocktower has played a starring role in artwork, books, film and television. From children’s tales to action thrillers, Monet to modern art, Big Ben offers something for everyone. It has also taken pride of place of the HP Sauce bottle for decades – most recent editions complete with scaffolding from the 2017 conservation project.
A symbol of democracy and a central part of what makes Britons feel British, Big Ben has become synonymous with both London, the United Kingdom and ‘the Mother of Parliaments.’ And it not only holds a special place in the people of Britain’s hearts, but in the hearts of MPs as well.
Join us for a look at how Big Ben has been portrayed through art, TV and film and how it has come to be seen as a symbol of both Parliament and democracy. We have also found a few things you probably didn’t know about Big Ben.
Image credit: © Disney