Big Ben, North-East end of the Palace of Westminster, London - 22nd May 2009

Big Ben is the largest 4 faced clock in the world, and will be 150 years old in 2009.

Except for a few maintenance periods, during which it is stopped, Big Ben has continued to keep accurate time and chime out the hour for all those years.

The four dials of the clock are 23 feet square, the minute hand is 14 feet long and the figures are 2 feet high. It is precisely regulated with a stack of coins which are placed on the massive pendulum,

The name Big Ben actually refers to the 13 Ton bell hung inside. It takes it's name from the first man commissioned to built it, Sir Benjamin Hall.

The bell was brought from the old Palace of Westminster, and given to the Dean of St. Paul's by King William III (1650 – 1702).

Before returning to Westminster to hang in its present home.

The bell tower was refashioned in Whitechapel in 1858, designed by Augustus Pugin in the Gothic Revival Style.

The tower stands over 315ft high, while the clock faces stand 180ft above the ground!

During the Second World War, an incendiary bomb destroyed the Commons chamber of the Houses of Parliament, but the clock tower remained undamaged and continued to keep time and strike away the hours..the chimes were broadcast to the nation and became a symbol of hope to all who heard it, during thoses troubled times.

The chimes of Big Ben were first broadcast by the BBC on 31st December 1923 inside the turret there is a microphone which is linked directly to Broadcasting House for this purpose.

Inside the tower there are cells were Members of Parliment can be imprisoned for a breach of parliamentary privilege, the last recorded case of this happening was in1880.

The tower is not open to the public but those with a Special interest ? are able to have permission granted through thier MP!