Why was Big Ben built?

Why was Big Ben built? #3 – Big Ben was built 164 years ago The Palace of Westminster was destroyed in a catastrophic fire in 1834 and parliament decided that they would build a new clock tower as part of the restoration works.

Has the face of Big Ben changed?

One of the most visible changes to the tower has been the restoration of the clock-face framework to its original colour of Prussian blue, used when the tower was first built in 1859, with the black paint that was used to cover up the soot-stained dial frames now having been stripped away.

Can we go inside Big Ben?

Inside Big Ben and how to visit You can visit Big Ben by booking a 90-minute guided tour that takes visitors up 334 stairs to see the clock mechanism room, behind the four clock dials and the Belfry, where the famous bell is located. Tours can be booked by visiting the official UK Parliament website.

Who built Big Ben and why?

Big Ben was built by Edward John Dent and his son Frederick Dent, who were renowned watchmakers of the time. The clock became known as the most accurate clock in the world at the time it was created. Big Ben and Elizabeth Tower were constructed in the Gothic Revival architectural style.

What is inside the Big Ben?

The Elizabeth Tower is the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster in London, England. It contains the Great Clock, a striking clock with five bells. The tower is nicknamed Big Ben, a name which was originally applied only to the largest bell of the clock.

Why Big Ben was taken down?

On 21 August 2017, Big Ben's chimes were silenced for four years to allow essential restoration work to be carried out on the tower. The decision to silence the bells was made to protect the hearing of the workers on the tower, and drew much criticism from senior MPs and Prime Minister Theresa May.

Why is Big Ben famous for kids?

The tower of Big Ben is an important London landmark. The clock is known for being an excellent time-keeper. The bell is known for the sound it makes as it chimes every hour on the hour. Four smaller bells in the tower chime the quarter hours.

Why is it called Big Ben?

The moniker Big Ben has been in use for over 150 years, and the nickname was originally applied only to the enormous bell inside the tower. The Great Bell received i's sobriquet in honor of Sir Benjamin Hall, the First Commissioner for Works, who raised Big Ben to its current place atop the tower.

What are 3 interesting facts about Big Ben?