The 96-metre (315-foot) high tower which houses the clock was built as part of the rebuilding of the Houses of Parliament by architects Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin following a major fire in 1843.

• 如今，大本钟这个名字常用来指整个钟楼，这里也是伦敦曝光率最高的景点之一，其实最初这个昵称只是给钟本身起的名字。