What is the future of Big Ben?

The UK parliament said restoration of the tower is in its final stages and could be finished in October with the return of Big Ben's infamous sounds around the same time period. Tours of Elizabeth Tower are expected to reopen to visitors in spring 2023.



The future of Big Ben (the Great Bell inside the Elizabeth Tower) is bright and "banging." Following the massive 5-year conservation project that ended in late 2022, the tower has been fully restored with its original Victorian clock mechanism and striking blue clock hands. In 2026, the focus has shifted to public access and modern preservation. Guided tours inside the tower have resumed, allowing visitors to climb the 334 steps to see the bells up close—though these must be booked months in advance. The tower is now equipped with energy-efficient LED lighting that can change colors for national events. For the long term, the "future" involves a rigorous maintenance schedule to ensure the clock remains accurate to within one second, serving as London's iconic heartbeat for centuries to come.

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In 2012, the tower commonly called Big Ben was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in honour of the Queen. It is the most recent twist in a long history of confusing names and nicknames.

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The London clock tower, Big Ben was rotated by a quarter, causing the hammer to strike a different place of the bell. Meanwhile, the hammer was lightened to prevent further damage. The bell has sounded at a slightly different pitch ever since, and the crack has never been repaired.

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When Big Ben's restoration is complete, visitors will have to climb 334 stone steps to reach the belfry? or take the newly installed elevator.

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Visitors will be able to book a maximum of eight tickets per person, depending on availability. The Big Ben tour is not suitable for everyone. Visitors must be aged 11 and over and be comfortable climbing 334 steps and experiencing high noise levels from the clock mechanism and bells - earplugs will be provided.

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The 13-tonne Big Ben bell was largely silenced for five years while a major restoration of the Elizabeth Tower took place, with the “bongs” finally resuming regular service in November 2022.

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The clock face of the Elizabeth Tower, which houses the famous Big Ben bell, is cleaned every couple of years.

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The clock tower – colloquially known as Big Ben after its massive bell – has been slightly off center since it was erected in the mid-19th century. Like many old buildings, its position has been shifting imperceptibly for years due to environmental factors such as seasonal temperature and moisture level changes.

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8 Fascinating Facts about Big Ben in London
  • We're not sure who Ben was - but we have a couple of ideas.
  • The Clock Tower took over 15 years to build.
  • Big Ben is a marvel of Victorian engineering.
  • Big Ben miraculously survived World War II.
  • The bells of Big Ben chime a distinctive melody.


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When completed, the frame and hands were Prussian blue, but were painted black in the 1930s to disguise the effects of air pollution. The original colour scheme was reinstated during the 2017–2021 conservation work. It was found that no fewer than six different colour schemes had been used over the past 160 years.

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