

However, the tower features a modern electric motor as a back-up in case the old mechanism fails, keeping the clock’s fellow Londoners punctual! Big Ben still uses its original Victorian mechanism to ring the bells.Another contends that it was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, a Welsh Civil Engineer who oversaw the construction. One popular account states that it was named after Benjamin Caunt, a heavyweight boxing champion. The origin of the bell’s nickname is uncertain.Upon its completion, the clock was known around the world as both the largest and most accurate four-faced chiming clock on the planet. Pretty appearances aside, the clock featured on the tower is renowned for its precision and accuracy.


While everyone knows this iconic landmark as Big Ben, the structure used to be known as “The Clock Tower”.So, buy your bus tour tickets and hop off at stop 10 on the yellow route or stop 3 on the blue route to see first-hand the legendary clock tower! A London icon built in honour of Queen Victoria, Big Ben has been ringing every fifteen minutes since the mid-19th century, keeping Londoners punctual to this day! Read on and become a Big Ben expert.īig Ben is easily accessible off our main routes.
