Things You Should Know about Elizabeth Tower

You know you’re in London the moment you spot Big Ben – that huge clock tower near the Houses of Parliament. However, “Big Ben” happens to be just a nickname given to the Great Bell found in the same tower. The Elizabeth Tower, as this tower is officially called, has a fair share of fun and interesting facts about it, not to mention historical figures associated with it.

Who is Big Ben?

Book a stay at Best Western Palm Hotel Cricklewood and head for the Great Bell. It was called Big Ben after Sir Benjamin Hall, the first Commissioner of Public Works in 1855. Hall oversaw the reconstruction of the Houses of Parliament. Thus, his name was inscribed on the Great Bell in honor of the commissioner. Since the bell is huge, people decided to call it “Big Ben”.

Do You Hear the Bell?

According to a 2008 survey in the UK, 2,000 people think that the Big Ben is the most popular landmark and tourist attraction in London. The sound of the bell is quite as popular and familiar to London residents, too. The bell chimes every 15 minutes and its sound is audible even to people living five miles away.

‘Keep our Queen Safe’

The clock face of the Big Ben has an inscription in Latin: Dominesalvamfacreginam nostrum Victorian primam. In English, it means ‘Oh Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First.’ Clearly, the construction of the Big Ben itself is a unifying act among the English during the Victorian period, which was also a time of harsh child labor and poverty. Incidentally, the bell acts as a reminder of the truce that took effect in World War I. The bells also toll for the fallen soldiers of Britain.

A Herculean Task

Amidst the socioeconomic crisis that struck London during the Victorian era, the construction of the Elizabeth Tower met several issues in terms of budget, delays, and bureaucracy. Even the building of the tower mas marred by politics. There were technical problems, of course, such as minute hand glitches and problems with the clock’s mechanism.

This mechanism, however, needs due crediting. It’s surprising to know that the designer of the clock mechanism is a lawyer, not a clockmaker. Edmund Denison modified the initial design by Edward Dent, so the formally eventually became recognized as the chief designer.

Maintenance

Big Ben (or at least the clock’s face) is cleaned every five years by window washers. Assisted by a rappel, the washers go down from the belfry and start the job.

If you book accommodation near Wembley Arena then you will have easy and quick access to many other amazing places in London that can save your time and a lot of your effort as well.