What is Big Ben?

The Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower, commonly called Big Ben, are amidst London'due south most iconic landmarks and must-see London attractions. Technically, Big Ben is the proper noun given to the massive bell inside the clock tower, which weighs more than xiii tons (13,760 kg).  The clock tower looks spectacular at night when the four clock faces are illuminated.

Two red London buses pass in front of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament on a sunny day.

 Large Ben facts

  • Each dial is 7 metres in diameter.
  • The minute hands are 4.2 metres long (14ft) and weigh most 100kg (220lbs, including counterweights).
  • The numbers are approximately 60cm (23in) long.
  • At that place are 312 pieces of glass in each clock dial.
  • A special low-cal above the clock faces is illuminated when parliament is in session.
  • Large Ben'southward timekeeping is strictly regulated by a stack of coins placed on the huge pendulum.
  • Big Ben has rarely stopped. Even afterward a bomb destroyed the Commons chamber during the 2nd World State of war, the clock tower survived and Big Ben continued to strike the hours.
  • The chimes of Big Ben were first circulate by the BBC on 31 Dec 1923, a tradition that continues to this day.
  • The latin words nether the clock face read DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM VICTORIAM PRIMAM, which means "O Lord, keep prophylactic our Queen Victoria the Get-go"
  • In June 2012 the House of Commons announced that the clock tower was to be renamed the Elizabeth Tower in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.

When was Big Ben congenital?

The Palace of Westminster was destroyed by fire in 1834. In 1844, it was decided the new buildings for the Houses of Parliament should include a belfry and a clock.

A massive bell was required and the first endeavor (fabricated past John Warner & Sons at Stockton-on-Tees) cracked irreparably. The metallic was melted downward and the bell recast in Whitechapel in 1858.

Large Ben first rang across Westminster on 31 May 1859. A short time later, in September 1859, Big Ben cracked. A lighter hammer was fitted and the bell rotated to present an undamaged section to the hammer. This is the bell as nosotros hear it today.

How tall is Big Ben?

The clock faces of Big Ben on a sunny day

Elizabeth Tower stands at more than 96 metres (105yrds) tall, with 334 steps to climb up to the belfry and 399 steps to the Ayrton Light at the very top of the belfry.

Where is Big Ben?

Large Ben is plant in the Elizabeth Belfry at the n finish of The Houses of Parliament in Westminster, Central London, next to the river Thames.

There are a several London autobus routes that get past the belfry, and Westminster Tube station is straight across the route, serviced by the Jubilee, District and Circle lines. Westminster pier is adjacent to the tower and is served past a number of river omnibus travel options.

Why is Large Ben called Large Ben?

The origin of the name Big Ben is non known, although two dissimilar theories be.

  • The first is that is was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the first commissioner of works, a big man who was known affectionately in the firm equally "Big Ben".
  • The second theory is that it was named after a heavyweight boxing champion at that time, Benjamin Caunt. Also known as "Large Ben", this nickname was commonly bestowed in society to anything that was the heaviest in its class.

Big Ben chimes

E'er wanted to hear what Big Ben sounds like at midday?

Inside Large Ben and how to visit

Big Ben is i of London's pinnacle attractions. The Elizabeth Tower is currently closed for refurbishment, with no public tours available.

Yous tin can still bring together a talk on the Elizabeth Tower or take a tour of the Houses of Parliament side by side to The Elizabeth Tower. Alternatively, watch this behind-the-scenes video of Big Ben in activity.

Large Ben and Elizabeth Tower refurbishment piece of work

In August 2017, refurbishment piece of work commenced on Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben. The work is due to terminal iii years. During this time, the tower will be scaffolded and the clock mechanism volition exist stopped for several months (no chiming or hitting), with the exception of some special events including New year's Eve and Remembrance Sunday. Find out more about the refurbishment.