![]() ![]() ![]() However, the structure still stands and while you might not be able to synchronise your watch to the sound, there is much that you can see and enjoy around the Big Ben. ![]() The iconic landmark is being restored and repaired, and will begin sounding its famous chimes until 2021. The Big Ben has fallen silent for the first time in its 157 years of almost continuous timekeeping. The complete tour takes about 1-1.30 hours. Big Ben (now rechristened Elizabeth Tower), stands tall at 96 metres and has the world’s second largest four-faced chiming clock.īig Ben is in London, located near of the Palace of Westminster (not to be confused with the nearby Westminster Abbey).īig Ben is open to visitors all year around. This iconic landmark is immensely popular with tourists and even the locals have a soft spot for it in their hearts. The nearest train station is Waterloo, a 12-minute walk away.When you think of London, you immediately think of Big Ben, the monument is that synonymous with the city’s culture. The nearest Underground station is Westminster, a 4-minute walk away, while a number of buses stop at Parliament Square on Victoria Street, directly opposite. Getting to Big Benīig Ben is located in Westminster in Central London. Inside the tower, 334 stone steps may be climbed to the top from which stunning views of the city can be observed, as well as the famous bell itself!įor foreign visitors, the adjoining Houses of Parliament may be explored, which provide a fascinating look into the heart of Britain’s government, while the surrounding area also features of host of London’s most interesting sites – Westminster Abbey, Parliament Square, the Cenotaph and 10 Downing Street to name a few. Tours inside the tower itself are available to citizens of the UK, who are required to contact their local MP in order to get tickets and must arrive on a scheduled day. Thousands of visitors flock to Westminster to view its stunning design and vast proportions, widely considered a marvel of Victorian architecture. Today Big Ben is one of the most recognisable symbols of London in the world, with the catchy nickname now encompassing the clock tower as a whole. Another popular, although less likely, theory is that it was named after Ben Caunt, a champion heavyweight boxer of the mid-19th century who also went by the nickname. ![]() While it is unclear exactly where the name Big Ben originated, it is thought to have been named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the man in charge of commissioning the structure. When it was unveiled, it was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock in the world, and on each of its sides is represented one of the four nations of the United Kingdom – a rose for England, thistle for Scotland, shamrock for Northern Ireland, and leek for Wales. The tower itself is named Elizabeth Tower and, along with its collection of bells and four vast clock faces, was constructed between 18 in the neo-Gothic style. Though the name ‘Big Ben’ is often attributed to the entire clock tower attached to the Houses of Parliament, it is actually the nickname of its largest bell – also known as the Great Bell. Big Ben is one of the United Kingdom’s most iconic landmarks, and has for almost two centuries towered over Westminster’s busy streets to the awe of Londoners and tourists alike. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |