Which building's giant clock is the focus of London's New Year's Eve countdown?

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Elizabeth Tower's giant clock is the focus of London's New Year's Eve countdown.

Elizabeth Tower stands at the north end of the Palace of Westminster and contains the Great Clock of Westminster. The tower was completed in 1859 and was renamed from the Clock Tower in 2012 to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.

The clock's largest bell is commonly called Big Ben, although “Big Ben” technically refers to the bell rather than the tower or the entire clock. At midnight, the chimes are broadcast as fireworks light the area around the River Thames.

The tower's four clock faces are among London's most recognizable sights. Tower Bridge and St Paul's Cathedral are also famous London landmarks, but neither is the clock tower used for the national countdown.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Oct. 2026

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