Big Ben

The name “Big Ben” is a bit of a misnomer – it is actually the nickname of the Great Bell inside the clock tower, which weighs more than 12 tons (13,760 kg).  It strikes the hour, while four other bells inside the clock strike the quarter chimes.  The tower itself is officially named Elizabeth Tower (formerly the Clock Tower or St. Stephen’s Tower), but it is more popularly known today as “Big Ben,” and is probably the most popular landmark in London today.  It is the second largest four-faced chiming clock in the world – after Minneapolis City Hall.

Designed and built in the Gothic Revival style by noted architect and designer Augustus Pugin, it was part of an overall reconstruction for the Palace of Westminster after it was burned in a fire on October 1834.  The entire project was led by chief architect Charles Barry, who relied heavily on Pugin’s designs for the interior of the Palace of Westminster, and for the clock tower.  The tower was Pugin’s last design before he descended into madness and eventually, death.

Some of the interesting details of the clock tower include:

• The foundations of the tower are 10 ft concrete, founded on a 50 ft square raft, and is below ground level at 13 feet.
• The four clock dials are 180 ft above ground, and each is seven meters in diameter.
• The minute hands are 4.2 meters long, weighing about 100 kg (including the counterweights)
• The numbers on the clock are approximately 60 cm long
• The timekeeping is regulated by a stack of coins (pennies) which are placed on the huge pendulum
• There are Latin words under the clock face which translate to “O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First”
• A special light above the clock face is illuminated when parliament is in session

Construction of the tower was completed in 1859, and Big Ben’s first ring was heard on July 1859.  Prior to this, the first attempt at casting the massive bell failed when it cracked.  The metal was melted down, and recast.  A few months later, or on September of the same year, Big Ben also cracked.  They rotated the bell and fitted a lighter hammer, and thus Big Ben has survived until today.

Although the origin of the name Big Ben is not known, there are two prevailing theories as to whom the bell was named after: Sir Benjamin Hall, the first commissioner of works, or Benjamin Caunt, a heavyweight boxing champion.  Both men were sometimes affectionately called “Big Ben.”

If you are not a UK resident, the bad news is that you cannot access the clock tower itself.  Only UK residents are allowed a tour inside of the tower – and only after they have written and arranged it with their MP or a member of the House of Lords.  There are no exceptions to this.  And the waiting list is long – tours are often sold out up to 6 months in advance.

The most that one can probably do is to have a good view of Big Ben from vantage points such as the London Eye, the Shard, or the Monument.