Big Ben in London – Facts and History

Big Ben Clock Tower

The Big Ben Clock, is actually a misnomer; it is the bell inside structure that is named Big Ben. Big Ben has become one of most prominent symbols of the city in the history of London. It has also become one of the best know sites in all of England. The title of “Big Ben” is often used to refer to the clock and clock tower but is actually the nickname for the great bell of the clock. The History of this iconic landmark is as dramatic as its stunning architecture. It all begins in 1834 when a fire ravaged the Palace of Westminster, destroying the majority of the buildings. What many people call Big Ben Clock Tower was actually named the Clock Tower or Saint Stephens Tower. Nonetheless, most people know the entire structure as Big Ben in London. To mark the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II’s 60 year reign as Queen, the tower was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012.

When the time came to rebuild, there was an open invitation to architects and, after much debate, Charles Barry was chosen. Parliament asked him to add a clock tower to his design and he was happy to oblige them. Unfortunately, he was not a clockmaker and after a few attempts to find one, Parliament chose George Airy to find one. Airy wrote up an exhaustive list of requirements that the clock should meet. Among them was the desire that the hourly strike would be accurate to within one second. Many felt that this, and Airy’s other requirements were impossible to realize.

Then Edmund Beckett Denison, an amateur clockmaker, began work on the problem. Along with Edward Dent, he designed a clock that featured a double three-legged gravity escapement. This was an innovative step in clock-making.’ The Bell was originally made by Warners of Cripplegate but unfortunately it cracked under testing. This bell was smashed up and re-cast by the Whitechapel Foundry and became what is now known as ‘Big Ben’ or ‘The Great Bell.’ When it was transported to Westminster, it was placed on a trolley and pulled along by sixteen horses. Crowds of cheering people lined the streets.

Facts of Big Ben

1. The best travel sight and attraction, Big Ben is actually the name of the huge bell, but most people use it to refer to the clock and the tower as well. It is the world’s largest chiming clock with four faces.
2. The clock tower was built between 1843 and 1858 and is 316 feet high and it is part of the Palace of Westminster. Although the public is not allowed inside, there are great views from the nearby London Eye.
3. Big Ben was probably named for the Commissioner of Works, Benjamin Hall, a man well known for his large size.
4. The clock tower has featured in dozens of movies, including Shanghai Knights and the 1978 version of The 39 Steps. Both films feature an exciting climax with the hero hanging from the clock hands.
5. The minute hand on Big Ben weighs about 220 pounds and is just over 12 feet long. Every year, the hand travels the equivalent of about 118 miles.