The Big Ben chimes every 15 minutes, between the hours of 9am and 9pm. It also chimes on the hour, with the number of chimes increasing at special times, such as New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Eve, the Big Ben chimes twelve times. It is a tradition that has been kept since 1859, when the bell was installed.
Big Ben is not only a cultural icon of the country but is also seen as a symbol of parliamentary democracy as the tower is an integral part of the Palace of Westminster London. Standing on the north end of the palace, the tower is a neo-gothic structure that is 96 m tall with four sides measuring 12 m each at the base.Big Ben is located in the Westminster district, in the West-End of London, along the north bank of the River Thames, easily accessible by tube and on foot. On foot : from Buckingham Palace in approximately 20 minutes, walking alongside St. James' Park and straight on to Parliament Square - Get directions Big Ben has played an important role in London's history. During World War II, the clock tower remained unscathed despite the bombing of the surrounding area. It has also been the focal point of many celebrations, including New Year's Eve fireworks and the opening of the 2012 Olympic Games. In 2017, Big Ben was shut down and covered with scaffolding, and a team of 500 people got to work, reports The New York Times. Their job was to restore every one of Big Ben's 3,500 pieces to former glory — the first full restoration to ever take place. It is a tough job made tougher by the fact that, as Esquire tells us, there is not really a The Big Red Holloway, London, United Kingdom. 481 likes · 13 talking about this · 192 were here. London's freshest late night venue. Open late 7 nights The radius of Big Ben is approximately 23 meters (75 feet) from the base of the clock tower to the top of the hour hand. The clock tower itself stands approximately 96 meters (315 feet) tall, making it one of the tallest structures in London. Big Ben is a beloved symbol of London, and its chimes can be heard across the city.