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May 28, 2024 · Big Ben, London tower clock famous for its accuracy and for its massive bell. Strictly speaking, the name refers to only the great hour bell, but it is commonly associated with the whole clock tower at the northern end of the Houses of Parliament.
- Jonathan D. Betts
- It’s Actually Called Elizabeth Tower. The tower itself is Elizabeth Tower, and it’s the huge bell inside that’s called Big Ben. Why Big Ben? Well, it’s really big!
- We’re not Sure how Big Ben got its Nickname. One of the first questions many people ask about London’s famous clock is, ‘how did Big Ben get its name?’
- Big Ben’s Tower Leans Sideways. Don’t worry, the tower leans at an inclination of just 1/250 or 0.4 degrees. It’s not about to topple over, but if you look carefully when you’re standing close to Big Ben you should be able to see it tilt to one side.
- Big Ben has Always Been Important. In fact, the bell was seen as so important that when it arrived in London it was brought down the Thames in a barge as Londoners flocked to watch.
Discover Big Ben's fun facts and history such as when it was built, how high the tower is and how you can't actually see Big Ben from the streets of London.
Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the Great Clock of Westminster, [1] [2] and, by extension, for the clock tower itself, [3] which stands at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, England. [4] Originally known simply as the Clock Tower, it was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II.
- The name "Big Ben" refers to the clock tower's largest bell, not the Clock or the tower itself. At some point, London’s superstar clock tower acquired the nickname Big Ben—a name originally given not to the tower itself or even its clock, but to the largest of the clock’s five bells.
- Big Ben's clock tower has gone by several names. Even though it has assumed the Big Ben moniker, the tower has its own official name. For the bulk of its life, the landmark was known simply as the Clock Tower, but it was commonly referenced (especially by the Victorian press) as St. Stephen’s Tower.
- The bell took its name from one of two famous Bens. The original “Ben” who lent his name to the bell is a bit of mystery. The prime candidate for the handle’s inspiration is Sir Benjamin Hall, a 19th century engineer and politician who was also a famously large man.
- A lawyer and an astronomer designed the clock movement. While you might guess that the English government would have charged top clockmakers with the task of creating such a prominent timekeeper, the pair who actually designed the clock were not trained horologists.
Oct 24, 2014 · Big Ben is actually a nickname that refers to the Great Bell within the tower itself. Officially, the tower is referred to as Elizabeth Tower, connected to the Palace of Westminster . So what are some of the interesting facts about a bell, you ask?
Discover the history and facts of Big Ben, the iconic clock tower that has witnessed many events in Westminster and British history.
