The main and largest bell of the St. Stephen’s Tower or The Tower of Big Ben in London, England is called Great Bell and its famous nickname is Big Ben. There are several legends that explain why the bell has this name – one of them says that it was called Big Ben because of the commissioner of works, Sir Benjamin Hall. Another theory says that the London clock was named Big Ben in honour of the famous heavyweight boxer Benjamin Caunt. There is also a fun and simple legend that says that the clock was going to be called ‘Victoria’ in honour of Queen Victoria but in the middle of the ceremony someone from the crowd, fed up with the long speeches, shouted - Just call it Big Ben and have done with it! - and the name stuck!

Around the world there are several constructions similar to / inspired by the famous Big Ben Tower in London – the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, the Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower of the University of Birmingham, England (also known as ‘Old Joe’ or ‘Old Tom’) and the Clock Tower of the Gare de Lyon in Paris. There is also a metal replica of the Big Ben Clock Tower called ‘Little Ben’ that is located near Victoria station.