Big Ben is the London landmark whose clock chimes are commonly heard during Britain's New Year's Eve countdown.
Strictly speaking, Big Ben is the nickname of the Great Bell inside the Elizabeth Tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. Many people use “Big Ben” for the entire tower, but the bell itself is the landmark's namesake. Its hour bell and quarter bells are part of London's most recognizable soundscape.
Broadcasts of the midnight chimes connect the tower with New Year's celebrations across the United Kingdom and around the world. The tower was completed in the nineteenth century as part of Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin's Palace of Westminster complex. A common mix-up is identifying the London Eye as the source of the chimes: the Eye is a landmark and fireworks viewing point, but Big Ben is the clock bell associated with the audible countdown.