Big Ben, located in Westminster, London, is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United Kingdom. Contrary to popular belief, "Big Ben" is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. The tower itself was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to honor Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
The tower was completed in 1859 and designed by architects Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin. The clock mechanism was designed by Edmund Beckett Denison and Edward John Dent. Interestingly, the clock's accuracy is regulated by a stack of old penny coins placed on the pendulum. Adding or removing a penny changes the clock's speed by 0.4 seconds per day.
Standing at 96 meters tall, the Elizabeth Tower has 334 steps leading up to the belfry. The Great Bell, known as Big Ben, weighs 13.5 tons. The bell's first chime rang out on July 11, 1859. However, it cracked shortly after its installation and had to be recast. The crack remains visible to this day, and the bell is struck with a lighter hammer to prevent further damage.
The clock faces are made up of 312 pieces of opal glass, and each face has a diameter of 7 meters. The minute hands are 4.2 meters long, and the hour hands are 2.7 meters long. During World War II, the clock tower survived bombing raids, although the Commons Chamber of the Palace of Westminster was destroyed.
A lesser-known fact is that the Elizabeth Tower leans slightly to the northwest by about 0.26 degrees due to ground conditions and tunneling for the London Underground. The tower is monitored closely to ensure that any movement is within safe limits.
The clock tower is not open to overseas visitors, but UK residents can arrange tours through their Members of Parliament. The tower underwent major renovations starting in 2017, which included conservation work on the clock mechanism, stonework, and roof repairs. These renovations are expected to be completed by 2022.
Big Ben remains a cultural symbol of the UK and has appeared in various films, literature, and media. Its chimes are broadcast live by the BBC, marking the hour and serving as a timekeeping standard for many across the world.