The second theory is that it was named after a heavyweight boxing champion at that time, Benjamin Caunt.The first is that is was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the first commissioner of works, a large man who was known affectionately in the house as "Big Ben".The origin of the name Big Ben is not known, although two different theories exist. Westminster pier is next to the tower and is served by a number of river bus travel options. There are a several London bus routes that go past the tower, and Westminster Tube station is directly across the road, serviced by the Jubilee, District and Circle lines. Where is Big Ben?īig Ben is found in the Elizabeth Tower at the north end of The Houses of Parliament in Westminster, Central London, next to the river Thames. How tall is Big Ben?Įlizabeth Tower stands at more than 96 metres (105yrds) tall, with 334 steps to climb up to the belfry and 399 steps to the Ayrton Light at the very top of the tower. A lighter hammer was fitted and the bell rotated to present an undamaged section to the hammer. A short time later, in September 1859, Big Ben cracked. The metal was melted down and the bell recast in Whitechapel in 1858.īig Ben first rang across Westminster on.
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In 1844, it was decided the new buildings for the Houses of Parliament should include a tower and a clock.Ī massive bell was required and the first attempt (made by John Warner & Sons at Stockton-on-Tees) cracked irreparably. The Palace of Westminster was destroyed by fire in 1834. In June 2012 the House of Commons announced that the clock tower was to be renamed the Elizabeth Tower in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.The latin words under the clock face read DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM VICTORIAM PRIMAM, which means "O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First".
The chimes of Big Ben were first broadcast by the BBC on 31 December 1923, a tradition that continues to this day.Even after a bomb destroyed the Commons chamber during the Second World War, the clock tower survived and Big Ben continued to strike the hours. Big Ben's timekeeping is strictly regulated by a stack of coins placed on the huge pendulum.A special light above the clock faces is illuminated when parliament is in session.There are 312 pieces of glass in each clock dial.
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