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.



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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.

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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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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.

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2012: The Clock Tower is renamed the Elizabeth Tower to honour HM Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.

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At close proximity, the sound of Big Ben measures 118 decibels, which is loud enough to cause physical pain. To make the bell chime, the copper and tin bell is struck by a hammer weighing 200kg. The bell, weighing 13.7 tonnes itself, makes the musical note “E” when struck.

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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.

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The clock tower, which is also known as the Elizabeth Tower, is 315 feet (96 meters) tall and has 393 steps. The clock mechanism weighs five tons. Its pendulum is 12.8 feet (3.9 meters) long. The Great Bell weighs 13.5 tons.

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