You can actually go inside Big Ben — and hardly anyone I know has done it. Tickets for the official Big Ben tour are released once a month (on the second Wednesday of each month at 10am UK time) and they sell out fast. If you want to do this, you need to be ready the minute they go live. https://www.parliament.uk/visiting/visiting-and-tours/big-ben-tour/ You enter through the Cromwell Green entrance at the Houses of Parliament, go through airport-style security, and then you’re free to explore Westminster Hall before the climb. Westminster Hall is stunning — and yes, you can take photos there. There’s also a very good gift shop worth a browse before you start. Then comes the big moment: you leave your phone behind and begin the climb. It’s 334 narrow steps, so if stairs aren’t your thing, this isn’t the tour for you. On the way up there are stopping points where the guides explain how the clock was built, how it’s maintained, and how it’s still kept accurate today. The guides are brilliant — knowledgeable, funny, and clearly love what they do. At the top, you stand right next to the Great Bell — the actual Big Ben. Tours are timed so you’re there when it strikes. I did the morning tour that put me there at midday, which meant hearing all 12 chimes. It’s loud. It’s dramatic. It’s unforgettable. And then you get to walk behind the clock face itself — on all four sides. Seeing London through that glass is one of those proper “wow” moments. I’ve lived here over 20 years and this genuinely surprised me. Because photography isn’t allowed once you start the climb, I’ve used official images from the Houses of Parliament website to show you what it looks like inside. #BigBenTour #LondonBucketList #HiddenLondon #UKParliament #LondonExperiences @ukparliament - @boutiqueadventurer