It was the largest and most complex conservation project in the Tower's history. Parliament has restored the clock tower to its former glory, as well as modernising and upgrading facilities to make it fit for the 21st century.

Yes, the Elizabeth Tower (which houses the bell famously known as Big Ben) underwent a massive and comprehensive renovation that lasted from 2017 to 2022. This was the most extensive conservation project in the tower's history. The work included repairing the masonry, restoring the clock's original Victorian colors (changing the hands and dial from black back to Prussian blue), and installing an energy-efficient elevator. The 13.7-ton bell was largely silenced for five years, only ringing for major events like New Year's Eve. The project cost approximately £80 million, significantly higher than the original estimate due to the discovery of asbestos and extensive WWII bomb damage that hadn't been previously documented. In 2026, the tower is fully visible and the bells are back to their regular "quarterly chiming" schedule. Tourists can now book guided tours to climb the 334 steps to the top to see the mechanism and the Great Bell up close.