Owner of Big Ben: The British Government

The British government owns Big Ben.

Specifically:

• The Elizabeth Tower (housing the Great Bell "Big Ben") is part of the Palace of Westminster.
• The Palace is the seat of the UK Parliament.
• Ownership rests with the Crown Estate / Parliamentary Estate, managed by the House of Commons Commission and House of Lords Commission.
• Completed 1859; Grade I listed (highest heritage protection).

"Big Ben" technically names the 13.7-tonne hour bell; the tower was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012 for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The clock mechanism is maintained by Parliament's clockmakers.