BIG BEN, 150 years old today, celebrates its birthday with popular acclaim and a treat for the kids.


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Children will be allowed to climb right up inside the tower that holds the famous bell over the next year, see it in all its clanging glory and then participate in a series of talks, DVDs and a dedicated anniversary website.

“We plan to celebrate the story behind this grand achievement,” said a spokesperson for the Guy Fox History Project charity, which will organize the events.

Meanwhile, Big Ben has been named Britain’s most popular landmark, following a survey by pollsters YouGov. It came in ahead of Stonehenge, with the LondonEye third.

Four other London landmarks made the top ten. The Houses of Parliament snagged sixth spot, with the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge claiming eighth, ninth and tenth respectively.