London, United Kingdom
Sunrise at Big Ben
Local time now14:35
Dedicate this sunrise · from $4.99Local time at the place (Europe/London) · 51.5007° N, 0.1246° W · calculated live with the same rules as our certificates.
Big Ben is the name of the great bell in the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster, though most people use it for the whole tower. The clock has kept time over the Thames since 1859, and its chime is one of the most recognised sounds in the world.
At sunrise the light comes up the river from the east, catching the gold of the clock faces and the stone of the palace while Westminster Bridge is still quiet. Sunsets fall behind the tower when seen from the South Bank, so the whole building turns into an outline against an orange sky.
London weather is famous for changing its mind, which is exactly why a dedicated sunrise works here: the moment happens whether the sky is clear or grey, and the certificate records the real time it did.
The best season
Summer mornings start before five, and long June evenings last past nine. Autumn and winter bring low, golden light all day, and the sun rises late enough to watch it with a coffee.
Where to watch
Westminster Bridge and the South Bank across the river face the tower directly. For sunset, walk to Lambeth Bridge and look north as the sky behind the tower fades.
Give this moment
Dedicate a sunrise, sunset or full moon night at Big Ben to someone you love, the nearest one or on the day you choose — from $4.99. They get a gift page with a live countdown, and a certificate with the exact minute, ready right after payment.
The SunriseDedicate this sunrise
The SunsetDedicate this sunset
The Full Moon NightDedicate the full moon night
Questions
What time is sunrise at Big Ben today?
It changes by a minute or two every day. This page calculates today’s sunrise and sunset live for the exact point (51.5007° N, 0.1246° W), in local time (Europe/London), with the same rules as the almanacs: the moment the upper edge of the sun clears the horizon.
Can I dedicate the sunrise at Big Ben to someone?
Yes. Choose The Sunrise, The Sunset or The Full Moon Night with this place, the nearest one or on the day you choose: it is dedicated to the person you name, they receive a gift page with a live countdown, and the certificate with the exact minute of the moment is ready right after payment.
What if it is cloudy?
The sun rises and sets whatever the weather. The certificate records the real astronomical moment, and the gift page tells the story of the sky at that minute.
Is Big Ben the tower or the bell?
Strictly, Big Ben is the bell; the tower was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012. Everyone still calls it Big Ben.
Does London have nice sunrises?
Yes — especially in autumn and winter, when the sun rises low over the Thames and lights the river and the palace from the side.
Nearby places
- Sunrise at the Eiffel Tower · Paris, France
- Sunrise at the Brandenburg Gate · Berlin, Germany
- Sunrise at the Sagrada Família · Barcelona, Spain