Top 10 Fascinating Facts About Big Ben

Big Ben stands tall at an impressive height of 96.3 meters. The architecture and interior design of the tower follow the Gothic style, one of humanity's highest achievements, showcasing the distinctive beauty of Western art. The lower 61 meters of the tower are built with stone-covered bricks, while the rest of the structure features a spire made of cast iron. The clock has four faces, each 55 meters above the ground. The base of the tower, which spans 15x15 meters, is made from concrete that is 3 meters long and 7 meters deep. The tower weighs a total of 9,553 tons. To this day, Big Ben is known as the 'largest four-faced clock with a bell in the world.' The clock's mechanical system was completed in 1854, and the entire tower was finished five years later, in 1859. The four clock faces are set on a 7-meter-high stone block, and the tower contains 576 transparent glass panels, resembling the stained-glass windows found in churches of that era. If constructed today, it would cost an estimated 222,000 USD (around 5 billion VND) to complete the tower.

Many tourists share that when viewed from across the River Thames, Big Ben stands tall and solitary, reaching for the sky. This sight marks your arrival in London. Indeed, for over 1.5 centuries, Big Ben has been a proud symbol of the UK's capital. Big Ben chimes every hour, with its sound rarely interrupted. To date, the tower is 157 years old, and it chimes every 15 minutes with its iconic 'bong' sound. The bells only stopped ringing during the first two years of operation due to World War I in 1916, a few times due to weather, and four times for maintenance. An interesting fact is that on February 17, 1924, the chimes of Big Ben officially became the musical signature of the BBC radio station.

Initially, Big Ben was just a part of the Westminster Palace, which was rebuilt after the historic fire of 1834. The tower, along with its massive clock mechanism, took over 20 years to complete before being officially inaugurated. However, it never failed to impress the people of London. The clock tower has stood the test of time, not only displaying architectural beauty but also blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape of the River Thames and other landmarks.

To fully explore the tower, you must climb the stairs. The impressive number of 334 steps awaits those who wish to reach the top. Since Big Ben does not have an elevator, visitors who want to go inside and ascend must tackle the stairs. However, accessing the tower for a tour is not easy, as security measures are extremely strict.

The Big Ben Tower leans slightly westward at an angle of 0.26 degrees. According to calculations, to achieve the same tilt as Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa, Big Ben would need another 10,000 years. Quite a lengthy period, wouldn’t you agree?

Starting on August 21, 2017, major restoration and preservation works began on the Elizabeth Tower, following surveys that revealed multiple holes in its roof. The electrical wiring and heating system were outdated, raising concerns about fire risks. Even more alarmingly, the Big Ben clock tower had tilted 46 cm from its original position.

The Big Ben clock tower was initially proposed as part of Charles Barry’s design for a new palace, following the destruction of the old Westminster Palace in a fire on the night of October 16, 1834. At its inception, Big Ben was fully named the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster. The tower was completed on April 10, 1858, but its recognition as an iconic structure came much later, with widespread acclaim beginning on July 11, 1859.

This is why many consider this the true completion date of the monument. An interesting tidbit is the “predecessor” of Big Ben. This was the Great Tom, often considered the predecessor of Big Ben. The St. Paul’s Cathedral currently oversees and maintains the Great Tom, which continues to function well after repairs from previous damage.

The design of the Big Ben clock face was crafted by Augustus Pugin. Each face of the clock is embedded in a square stone block, each side measuring 7 meters, with a total of 576 transparent glass panes. This design mirrors the style of stained-glass windows found in many churches across England during that time. The minute hand of Big Ben stretches 4.2 meters in length and is made of copper.

Each Big Ben clock is framed by a decorative border, intricately carved with a Latin inscription along the bottom edge. The inscription reads: "DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM VICTORIAM PRIMAM", which translates to: "Lord, protect our Queen Victoria".

Over the years, several external factors have impacted the accuracy of the Big Ben clock. On New Year’s Eve in 1962, heavy snow and ice caused the clock to slow down, resulting in Big Ben chiming in the new year 10 minutes late. The first and only mechanical failure occurred in August 1975 when the air brake regulator of the clock’s mechanism broke after more than 100 years of service.

In 2015, it was discovered that Big Ben was running 6 seconds slow. Engineers solved the issue by adding or removing coins to adjust the clock’s accuracy. This was also one of the rare occasions when Big Ben stopped working. Additionally, the clock tower is cleaned every five years, with all four clock faces being scrubbed thoroughly.

Many people are curious about why the clock tower is called Big Ben. Here's a fun fact: the name Big Ben actually comes from the nickname of the large bell inside the tower. The tower houses five bells, and Big Ben is the largest, weighing 13 tons, with its official name being Great Bell. Technically, Big Ben refers to the largest bell inside the clock tower, which weighs 13.7 tons and chimes every 15 minutes, along with the other four bells. The clock tower is often mistakenly called St. Stephen’s Tower.

On the occasion of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the British Parliament announced that the Big Ben tower would be officially renamed Elizabeth Tower starting June 4, 2012. The tower is a global cultural icon of the United Kingdom, symbolizing stability, security, and democracy. It is one of the most iconic landmarks of the UK and parliamentary democracy and is frequently featured in films set in London. The clock tower is part of the Grade I listed building since 1970 and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

The Big Ben Clock Tower has long been a symbol of the United Kingdom. If you're planning a visit, here's a tip: the tower is most magnificent when viewed from the River Thames or while taking a walk on Westminster Bridge, the route leading to the Houses of Parliament. Seeing the tower from the Thames means you've arrived in London. At sunset, the four clock faces are illuminated, making them visible from miles away. A 2008 survey of over 2,000 people concluded that everyone considers Big Ben to be a symbol of the UK.

For any traveler to the UK, the first thing to do upon arriving in London is to visit the Big Ben Clock Tower. This truly iconic landmark should not be missed. The clock tower is considered most beautiful when viewed from the eastern bank of the Thames, especially as dusk falls, casting a soft purple hue over the clock faces. Additionally, visitors strolling along Westminster Bridge, on their way to the Houses of Parliament, will find many beautiful perspectives to admire this landmark.

Big Ben is not actually the name of the magnificent tower itself. Its official name was derived from the Queen of England, Elizabeth, while Big Ben is simply the nickname for the large bell hung inside the tower. In June 2012, the tower officially became known as Elizabeth Tower to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. However, the name Big Ben remains popular and commonly used by the public.

The exact origin of the name Big Ben is unclear, with two main theories: One suggests it was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, a commissioner of the project, known for his tall stature and affectionately called “Big Ben.” The other theory ties the name to a heavyweight boxing champion of the time, Benjamin Caunt, whose nickname was also “Big Ben.”