London’s Big Ben Tower
Massive Ben, one in all London’s most well-known icons, is located within
the tower of the Palace of Westminster which contains The Houses of Parliament, The House of Lords, The House of Commons and Westminster Hall.
Big Ben in London is actually the nickname of the thirteen tonne bell located at the top of the tower although it is usually extended to include the clock and the clock tower. The tower was inbuilt 1288 and the bell rang out its first chime on 31 Might 1859. It’s the World’s biggest 4-faced chiming clock in addition to the third-tallest free-standing clock tower.
Interestingly, the clock tower isn’t open to overseas visitors, nevertheless UK residents can arrange a tour though it does entail walking up 334 steps to get to the top as there is not any such factor as a lift.
Augustus Pugin designed the clock and dials which incorporate 312 portions of opal glass and all sides of the clock has a Latin inscription which denotes ‘O Lord, preserve protected our Queen Victoria the First.’
Famend for its reliability, London’s iconic clock ran accurately on time during heavy bombing through the Blitz even with two damaged clock faces. The clock faces were darkened at night time in the course of the World Wars I and II to prevent attack. The one time Big Ben has had a serious breakdown was on 5 August 1976 when it was taken out of service for 26 days over 9 months. In August 2007, London’s this clock had six lengthy weeks of upkeep to switch the bearings in its drive practice and ‘great bell’ striker.
Big Ben is a effectively-liked icon for London and the UK. The picture and the chimes are used by ITN’s News at Ten, ITV Information bulletins, BBC Radio 4 and the BBC World Service. London’s historic clock after all, also performs a very essential role in the course of the New Yr’s Eve countdown and celebrations when all eyes turn to the clock.
On Could 2009, Big Ben London celebrated its a hundred and fiftieth anniversary and we look ahead to one other a hundred and fifty years of correct time and chimes.
Read MoreLondon’s Massive Ben
Massive Big Ben, one in all London’s most well-known icons, is located within
Big Benthe tower of the Palace of Westminster which contains The Houses of Parliament, The House of Lords, The House of Commons and Westminster Hall.
Big Ben in London is actually the nickname of the thirteen tonne bell located at the top of the tower although it is usually extended to include the clock and the clock tower. The tower was inbuilt 1288 and the bell rang out its first chime on 31 Might 1859. It’s the World’s biggest 4-faced chiming clock in addition to the third-tallest free-standing clock tower.
Read MoreAbout Us
Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, and is generally extended to refer to the clock or the clock tower as well. Some believe this extension to be incorrect, but its usage is now entirely commonplace. More...