Westminster tube station brings you up right at the foot of Big Ben on the western end of Westminister Bridge. On 16 Oct, 1834 the palace of westminister and surrounding were almost completely razed to the ground by fire, resulting in the building of the golden Gothic glory in use today. Its most famous feature is Big Ben , the clock tower overlooking Westminister Bridge.On May 31, 1859 it rang for the first time over London.
Big Ben London has its own historical charm.
Big Ben Facts
The Big Ben is the clock Tower of the palace of Westminster, which has a height of 316 feet. A flight of stairs leads up to the tower. Not only does the tower house the clock but on closer scrutiny one will also come across small chambers that serve as prison cells for errant Members of Parliament who breach the parliamentary code of conduct.The clock strikes the hour on the 13-ton bell that gives the tower its name, and which can be heard upto 4.5 miles away.
Measurements of the Big Ben Clock
The frame of the clock is made out of cast iron and the dials are a whopping 23 feet in diameter.
The numerics on the clock are two feet each, massive by any standards and the phrase - "God save our Queen Victoria" is engraved in Latin. This massive clock was easily one of the world's largest and even now is among the largest clocks in the world.
BBC Connection of Big Ben
Big Ben London has its own historical charm. The BBC radio's connection to Big Ben is legendary and during the Second World War, the bells of Big Ben broadcast on BBC served as a beacon of hope to listeners all over the world. Since 1856, the year of its inception, till today, Big Ben has been an out standing time keeper which is unmatched anywhere else in the world. The clock has indeed been remarkably accurate over the years.
Scenic Beauty of Big Ben If you want to experience the real beauty of Big Ben be there at the West Minister Bridge or the other bank of River Thames during dusk.
As dusk descends on the city of London, big ben clock is illuminated along with the Westminster Palace and the clock when viewed from the vantage point of Westminster Bridge makes for a truly ethereal sight. Visiting Big Ben at night, you also get to know whether the parliament is in session or not through the light that shines on top of the clock.
Big Ben Pictures
A collection of pictures on Big Ben can be found at our Photo Gallery
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