Big Ben
The Big Ben is widely considered to be one of the most recognized symbols of the United Kingdom. When you think about London, the clock tower that is so proudly displayed adjacent to the Houses of Parliament is perhaps the first thing that comes to mind for you.
Despite the fact that the tower has been a prominent feature of the London skyline for hundreds of years, it is still considered to be a quite enigmatic building. In point of fact, the skyscraper is comprised of a greater number of components than we give it credit for. Here are some interesting facts about Big Ben, including the history of the bell, the clock, and the structure itself.
History
The Great Bell of the clock that is located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London is commonly referred to by its nickname, Big Ben. It is commonly use to refer to both the Great Clock and the Clock Tower. The latter of which is given the official name Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
When the first Palace of Westminster was lost to a fire in the year 1834. Architects are ask to submit their finest plans for the replacement palace, and a commission was established to choose the most impressive of these submissions. The design created by Sir Charles Barry was successful; nevertheless, it did not include a clock tower in any of its plans. Barry entrusted Augustus Pugin with the task of designing the tower. The structure was subsequently incorporates into the plan in the year 1836. Neo-Gothic architecture utilizes in the construction of the Parliament, and the Elizabeth Tower’s cornerstone was initially set in place on September 28, 1843. The tower finish being build in 1859, five years later than originally plan because of delays cause by construction.
They sponsored a contest in 1846 to discover a suitable design for the tower’s clock because Charles Barry was not a skilled clockmaker. They were hoping to find a design that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Edward John Dent was given the responsibility of constructing the clock. This is according to the design that had been created by clock maker Edmund Beckett Denison. After Dent passed away in 1854, the clock was finished by Dent’s stepson Frederick. In April of 1859, it was put into place in the Elizabeth Tower.
The Repair of Big Ben
Big Ben’s Elizabeth Tower renovations will cost millions more. In February 2020, lawmakers were advised of a possible 18.6 million-pound cost hike.
If recent statistics are true, the new budget would grow by over a third, from £61.1 million to £79.7 million. The additional 18.6 million pounds needed to complete the project is almost the same as the 20 million. Government spending on coronavirus.
In spite of this, a representative for the House of Commons Commission stated that the members of the commission were “very upset” by the request for “even more funds.”
The difficulty of the repairs is also one of the reasons why an attempt to get Big Ben to bong on the day that Brexit was suppose to take place was failed. The cost of getting the bell to work by the deadline was estimated to be £500,000.
A total of £272,000 was raise through crowdsourcing by the organization StandUp4Brexit in an effort to make it ring. But the money donates to the veterans’ charity Help for Heroes instead.
Big Ben’s tower and surrounding palace were finished in 1859. Winston Churchill ordered small repairs after WWII. Examining the style, clock face, tower, and bells can help explain this landmark.
FACTS
- Each dial’s circumference measures seven meters.
- The minute hands measure 4.2 meters (14 feet) in length and weigh around 100 kilograms (kg) (220lbs, including counterweights).
- The length of each number is close to 60 centimeters (23 inches).
- Each clock dial comprises of 312 individual pieces of glass.
- When the House or Senate is in session, a unique light that locates above the clock faces turns on.
- The accuracy of the timekeeping on Big Ben is ensure by a pile of coins that are suspend from the enormous pendulum.
- Big Ben has not stopped very often. The clock tower survive the bombing that took place in the Commons chamber during the Second World War. And Big Ben continue to chime the hours even after it was destroyed.
- On December 31, 1923, the BBC begins a practice that is still carry out to this day by broadcasting the bells of Big Ben every hour on the hour.
- Under the face of the clock, the words “O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First” are written in Latin. This phrase translates to “DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM VICTORIAM PRIMAM.”
- The House of Commons made the announcement in June 2012 that the clock tower will henceforth be popular as the Elizabeth Tower. This is in recognition of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
Big Ben London Travel Tips
- It is permitted to take photographs.
- On the streets, smoking is not allow at all.
- There is no way to enter inside the tower under any circumstances.
- You may easily combine trips to the London Eye and the London Tower Museum with a trip to see this Big Ben and Alaram clock because both attractions are located nearby.
- The following is a list of the Metro Stations that may be reach on foot from Big Ben:
Two minutes on foot from the Westminster Tube Station, which is directly in front of the Big Ben.
- St. James’s Park Tube Station may be reach on foot in around 8 minutes.
- Walk time to Embankment Underground Station is around ten minutes.
- Embankment Underground Station – About 10 mins walk
Big Ben London Hours
The Houses of Parliament building and the Big Ben clock tower can both be visit at any time of the day or night when viewed from the outside.
Instructions on How to Get to Big Ben in London
- The underground Metro (London Tube is the best way to reach the Big Ben)
- Bus Stations: Westminster Station Bridge St (Stop H), Westminster (Stop G), and Rosie Winterton MP Train Stations: Westminster Tube Station, St. James Park Tube Station, and Charring Station (Doncaster Central)