![]() Big Ben chimed thirty times to welcome in the official start of the London Olympic Games on 27th July 2012. It remains the most iconic film location in the capital.ġ6. 'Big Ben' has become one of the most well-known symbols of both London and England and is frequently featured in films set in the city. The clock faces are over seven meters in diameter and are cleaned every five years by abseilers using soap and water.ġ5. Since 2003, it tilts by almost a millimetre per year.ġ4. This is due to some tunnel excavation close by. The clock tower is actually a little slanted and leans slightly towards the northwest by 8.66 inches. There are 334 steps to the top of the clock tower however it is not open to the public to use for viewing the city.ġ3. The Elizabeth Tower was built from the inside outwards, meaning that no scaffolding was visible to the outside world.ġ1. The Clock Tower is often mistakenly known as the St Stephen's Tower which is really located on the west side of the Palace of Westminster and is used as the public entrance.ġ0. Big Ben is the most popular tourist attraction in the United Kingdom.ĩ. If the clock is too fast, a penny is added to the pendulum, or if it is too slow, one penny is removed.Ĩ. The time of the clock is adjusted every year using an old British penny. The Union Flag is flown from the Victoria Tower whenever Parliament is in session.ħ. The weather vane at the top of the clock tower is known as Little Ben!Ħ. Without a doubt, Big Ben is big! However the largest bell in London can be found in St Paul's Cathedral.ĥ. The first chime of Big Ben was heard on the 31st of May, 1859.Ĥ. Big Ben chimes every fifteen minutes and can be heard for up to five miles around.ģ. ![]() The Elizabeth Tower is situated at the north end of the Palace of Westminster which is more familiarly known as the Houses of Parliament.Ģ. The tower is an icon of British culture and is recognized by people all over the world. Many define it as the most famous clock in the world, but they are wrong, it is much more than that. Due to a 5 year delay of the work being completed, there were no official celebrations for the opening of the Clock Tower, however celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Elizabeth Tower took place 31st May 2009.ġ. Apby Joe Big Ben is the name given to the great bell of more than 13 tons that has been on top of the Elizabeth Tower since 1859. The tower was completed in 1859 and to this day, the 96 metre (315 ft) tall structure houses what remains the largest clock in Great Britain and the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world. On the 28th September 1843, the foundation was laid for what was to be the tower which would house the largest clock in the world, at the time. Alternatively, the bell could have been named after Ben Caunt, an 1850s champion heavyweight boxer. There are a couple of theories for the origin of this nickname, the most likely being that the Great Bell was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the First Commissioner for Works between 1855 - 1858. The Great Bell of the clock, weighing in at over 13 tons, acquired the nickname of Big Ben which is often extended as a reference to the clock tower itself. Affectionately referred to as Big Ben, the Clock Tower was officially renamed as the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
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