![]() The fabric was repaired and renovated between 20, during which the bells remained silent with few exceptions. The clock tower has been part of a Grade I listed building since 1970 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. It is one of the most prominent symbols of the United Kingdom and parliamentary democracy, and it is often used in the establishing shot of films set in London. The Elizabeth Tower is a British cultural icon. There are four quarter bells, which chime on the quarter hours. Its nickname may be derived from Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw its installation, or heavyweight boxing champion Benjamin Caunt. The Great Bell was cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry and weighs 13.5 long tons (13.7 tonnes 15.1 short tons). It is known for its reliability, and can be adjusted by adding or removing pre-decimal pennies from the pendulum. It was designed by Edmund Beckett Denison and George Airy, the Astronomer Royal, and constructed by Edward John Dent and Frederick Dent. The clock uses its original mechanism and was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock in the world upon its completion. The dials of the clock are 22.5 feet (6.9 m) in diameter. Its base is square, measuring 40 feet (12 m) on each side. The tower stands 316 feet (96 m) tall, and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps. It is elaborately decorated and includes symbols related to the four nations of the United Kingdom, the Tudor dynasty, and a Latin inscription to Queen Victoria. The tower was designed by Augustus Pugin in a Perpendicular Gothic Revival style and was completed in 1859. The tower was officially called the Clock Tower until 2012, when it was renamed to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II. The tower is nicknamed " Big Ben", a name which was originally applied only to the largest bell of the clock. It contains the Great Clock, a striking clock with five bells. The Elizabeth Tower is the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster in London, England. The Elizabeth Tower is not open to the general public however UK residents can apply for a visit by writing in advance to their MP.51☃0′03″N 0☀7′28″W / 51.5007°N 0.1245°W / 51.5007 -0.1245. ![]() On 31st December 1923, the BBC first broadcasted the chimes of Big Ben and this has become traditional even in present day.Big Ben is Britain's most frequently featured film location.The minute hands are 4.2 metres in length and weigh around 100kg.Three hundred and twelve pieces of glass can be found in each clock face.The Union Flag is also flown from the Victoria Tower whenever parliament is in session.The clock faces are illuminated when parliament is in session. The dials are over seven meters in diameter and are cleaned every five years by abseilers using soap and water.If the clock is too fast, another penny is added to the pendulum, or if it is too slow, a penny is removed. The clock is adjusted every year using an old penny coin.Big Ben is the UK's most popular tourist attraction.The tower was built upwards from the inside so there was no scaffolding to be seen from the outside.There are 334 steps to the top of the clock tower.On the 31st May 2009, Britiain celebrated the 150th anniversary of the structure's completion.On the 27th July 2012, Big Ben chimed thirty times at the start of the London Olympic Games.The great bell weighs over 13 tons and it's chimes can be heard for five miles.The spire at the top of the clock tower is named Little Ben. ![]() By all means, weighing in at 13,760kg, Big Ben is big however St Paul's Cathedral is home to the largest bell in London. ![]() Or it could have been named after Ben Caunt, a champion heavyweight boxer in the 1850s.
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