But it was also built at time when not everyone was carrying an iPhone, so it served a practical purpose of telling the time as well. The tower was immaculately designed as an important symbol of the country and democracy itself. What is Big Ben used for?īig Ben was designed for both looks and function. The construction of Big Ben was completed in 1859. No one can say for sure how it got its nickname, but the words Big Ben are now known worldwide and associated with this specific, iconic clocktower in London. The two most likely Bens for which the bell earned its nickname are Sir Benjamin Hall (an engineer who oversaw the installation of the clocktower) or Benjamin Caunt (a famous boxer at the time). That explains the “Big” but the “Ben” part is open to interpretation. The bell weighs over 13 tons and was the largest bell in the UK when it was built. The nickname Big Ben originally referred to just the largest bell, the Great Bell, which is housed inside clocktower. It was a fitting honor given that the largest tower is already called Victoria Tower after Queen Victoria. Stephen’s tower.” It was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II. The official name of Big Ben is actually Elizabeth Tower. The clocktower itself was previously named “Clock Tower” or “St. This new technology quickly became the gold standard for future clocktowers around the world.īig Ben is one of the most iconic film locations in UK and is often seen in establishing scenes of films and tv shows set in London. In fact, an entirely new mechanism was invented and built for the clock inside Big Ben. The clock itself is renowned for being one of the most accurate clocks in the world, especially notable at the time it was built. It is currently the third tallest clocktower in the UK. The largest bell (known as Big Ben) chimes every hour, while the smaller bells chime every 15 minutes. The chiming clocktower has four clock faces and houses five bells. The clocktower is one of the three main towers at the Palace of Westminster. In this post, I too will use the term Big Ben to refer to the whole clocktower.īig Ben is the nickname given to an iconic gothic clocktower in Central London. By extension, many people use the nickname Big Ben for the entire tower. Then we’ll share some practical information for visiting Big Ben during your trip to London.īefore I go too far in this post, I want to clarify that Big Ben technically refers to only the large bell inside the clocktower. In this brief but thorough guide, we’ll explain everything you never knew you didn’t know about Big Ben. Enjoy one of the world's most famous buildings in your own home! 3 x AAA Batteries required, they are not included.Picture London and you’ll probably picture the famous clocktower known as Big Ben. Puzzle comes with a printed base board, so it can be displayed on a shelf or table top. Each puzzle piece is printed with a number on the reverse side, so you can either assemble the puzzle by eye, or just by following the numbers. No glue required! The Big Ben puzzle has 216 high quality plastic pieces and measures 44cm tall when complete. The puzzle uses unique hinged plastic pieces, which slot together to build a sturdy and strong "building". The completed puzzle will glow with a green, yellow or a red light, automatically changing to make this an effective and dramatic addition to any room. This "Night Edition" Big Ben 3D puzzle uses LED technology to create 3 different coloured lighting effects. The delightful ensemble is especially magnificent once darkness has fallen and the neighbouring Houses of Parliament are bathed in a warm, golden glow – and Big Ben too shines in a fabulously atmospheric light. Big Ben is one of the most prominent landmarks in England and the largest bell in the Elizabeth Tower of the Palace of Westminster in London.
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