Visit to Big Ben & Elizabeth Tower

This January the students descended on the Houses of Parliament for look behind the faces of arguably the most iconic clock on the face of the planet. Unfortunately iconic status and accessibility don't come hand in hand as the belfry (and "peak" of the climb) room sits some 334 above street level...

     

Unfortunately photo taking is prohibited, but as the story of "Big Ben" - and, for horologically inclined, the mechanical principles involved in making such a time keep behemoth - are both intricate and fascinating subjects, we recommend choosing your own area and investigating further! Here are some quick facts to get you started on the journey towards Great Clock Nirvana:

• The Tower itself (officially named "Elizabeth Tower" in 2012 for HM the Queen's Diamond Jubilee) stands over 96m tall and is 12m square, with 11 floors inside. There are 334 steps up to the belfry and a further 59 to the "Ayrton Light" - not included in the tour - which is lit when parliament sits into the evening and was put in place to allow queen Victoria to see from Buckingham palace. 

• The hour hands are made of gunmetal and are 2.7m long, weighing in at 300kg. The minute hands are made from copper sheet, 4.2m long and weigh just 100kg. In the past, flocks of birds perching on the hands have affected the clock's famous accuracy. As a result they are now protected by birds of prey 'employed' by the Houses of Parliament. 

        

• The mechanism weighs around 5 tonnes and whilst the pendulum weighs just 310kg it is 4.4m in length. The largest bell - ol' Big Ben himself - tips the scales at an impressive 13.7 tonnes.