Within the belfry (whose bells were first broadcast by the BBC in 1932) is a spiral with 334 steps with a total of 399 to the lantern (the Ayrton Light) and an elevator is also expected to be added during the current restoration work. The hour hand is 9 ft (2.7m) long, and the minute hand is 14 ft (4.3m) long. The clock faces are 23 feet (7m) in diameter. The four faces of the clock are 55 meters above ground. Prior to 2012, the tower had been known as the Clock Tower of the Palace. It is this gigantic bell that is known as Big Ben and not the bell tower itself. In 1859, the great bell rang out for the first time. Winding takes over an hour, and someone has to wind the clock three times a week. Of course, in order to keep Big Ben’s chimes sounding at just the right moment the clock has to be adjusted and wound. The clock tower as we see it, was built in 1844. In fact, the clock is accurate to within two seconds every two weeks. The clock became operational on 7th September 1859. Big Ben and Elizabeth Tower are some of the most famous landmarks of the United Kingdom. The Elizabeth Tower is often mistakenly called Big Ben which is actually the name of the bell within the tower inscribed with the name of Sir Benjamin Hall, First Commissioner for Works after whom it is believed the bell takes it’s name. Big Ben is the worlds largest four-faced chiming clock. The tower was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 in honour of Queen Elizabeths jubilee and stands 96 meters tall housing 11 floors. There’s something strangely satisfying about looking behind the scenes of an iconic building and there are fewer buildings more famous than the Houses of Parliament and the iconic Clock Tower. Star of many a films establishing shot, Big Ben is Londons best-loved landmark, affectionately nicknamed for the 13-tonne bell housed within the Elizabeth.
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