Anna Quindlen once wrote, “London opens to you like a novel itself… it\’s divided into chapters, chapters into scenes, the scenes into sentences; it opens to you like a series of rooms, doors, and passages.”
Today, I finally decided to open the chapter titled Big Ben.
Ever since my childhood, London was the city of my dreams. I do not remember imagining the city ever without its Big Ben. This 164-year-old Big Ben always seemed more romantic to me than being an architectural masterpiece. It’s like… if you stand under the clock tower with clothes warm enough to keep you cozy, without meaning to, your fingers will reach for your partner’s. You will want to kiss them, share some sweet nothings with them.
And just like that… Big Ben ceases to be a mere landmark. If a place can make you feel that way, isn’t it perfect in every sense?
If you just want the facts—height, age, history, basic details—there’s always Wikipedia and thousands other websites. But, none of them would tell you how Big Ben etches itself into your soul and makes a permanent place in your memory with its unbeatable charm. You can’t call Big Ben just a clock tower, it’s definitely more than that. It’s the heartbeat of a city, a silent constant of London’s skyline whispering stories through time. If you truly wish to feel London to its core and let its spirit wrap around you… begin with Big Ben.
And where better to start than at its very birth?
A tower born from Fire
Yes, the story of Big Ben began in tragedy. In 1834, a fire ravaged the old Palace of Westminster. It left London in desperate need of a new parliamentary complex. But this time, it couldn\’t be about rebuilding only. London wanted something extraordinarily symbolic to the spirit of Britain. So, a competition was held to design the Westminster’s new Palace.
And it was British Architect Sir Charles Barry’s design of clock tower which
emerged victorious making him the chief architect of the Big Ben project. But, unfortunately, Barry was no expert in clock making—that responsibility fell to Edmund Beckett Denison, an amateur horologist who would go on to design one of the most precise timekeeping mechanisms in history. Later, the Gothic Revival-style tower of Big Ben was finalized by Augustus Pugin, who added several intricate design to this masterpiece.
Anyway, the construction, which began in 1843, was anything but smooth. It took 16 years of relentless craftsmanship, endless problem-solving, and patience before Big Ben was finally ready in 1859. The greatest challenge was the designing of the Great Clock which intended to be the most accurate public clock in the world. The big ben designers were trying to incorporate a revolutionary gravity escapement mechanism that can make sure that external factors like the weather couldn’t interfere with its precision. Though it took time, but they successfully implemented the mechanism to the clock. However, the journey to perfection was paved with broken bells, rust issues due to London’s damp air, and countless setbacks.
But it was all worth it when in 1859 this 316 feet tower stood tall, ready to mark history with its unmistakable big ben chimes.
Now for last 165 years, Big Ben has stood tall, a silent witness to history’s grandest moments. It heard the first shots of World War I and the last echoes of World War II, chiming through the reigns of Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II. Once known as St. Stephen’s Tower, the clock tower big ben stood undaunted as the Blitz raged over London, its bells unwavering even as the city rebuilt itself.
Beneath its gaze, the Hansom Cab once ruled the streets, giving way to the Lanchester 10 HP, the regal Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, the suave Aston Martin DB5, and now, the silent hum of Teslas gliding into the future. Through farewells, and the birth of a new millennium, Big Ben remained unchanged—a steadfast guardian of time in a world forever racing forward.
An Architectural Love Letter
Big Ben isn’t just a pretty face, it represents the height of Victorian engineering and craftsmanship. The chimes of big ben have marked historic moments being the silent witness to everything London went through. This grand clock tower has also inspired countless clock towers across the globe, from the Peace Tower in Ottawa to Mumbai’s Rajabai Clock Tower.
I believe Big Ben is in true sense a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture, isn\’t it? Its verticality, pointed arches, and meticulous detailing give it an almost celestial aura…never failing to impress its audience. The tower has four faces ( big ben clock faces), each 23 feet in diameter being one of the largest in its own category. But, the iron-made hour hand stretches only to 9 feet, while the minute hand to an astonishing 14 feet. The bells inside the tower are made of bronze and weigh around 13.5 tons, delivering a chime so deep and resonant that it feels like it is the sound of London breathing.
Here’s a fun fact—do you know that the name ‘Big Ben’ originally referred to the Great Bell inside the tower? Later it was decided to call the entire structure Big Ben. Oh another thing, if you decide to ever go inside Big Ben, don’t expect an elevator. Unlike other world-famous clock towers, Big Ben gives you a chance to climb a 334-step spiral ascent allowing you to relish that old school tower charm.
Honestly, 334 steps is no joke, I understand. If you are an Asthma patient or suffering from chronic Arthritis, reconsider climbing these many steps.
Have you noticed one thing about the clock dial of Big Ben recently? Since the last restoration, it’s been brought back to the original Prussian blue color, this was the color Architect Pugin selected initially in mid-19th century.
Before I stop rambling about architecture (I promise, just one last thing!), here\’s a little secret hidden within Big Ben’s towering grandeur. Tucked away behind its stately façade lies a tiny prison cell—yes, you read that right. It was historically used as a temporary detention room for MPs who breached parliamentary conduct rules. In 1880, an Atheist MP, Charles Bradlaugh earned himself a detention in this room for refusing to swear a religious oath and he was locked there overnight until he learned a lesson. Though the room no longer holds MPs thrown out of the chamber, but it still exists.
Now, don’t you think that you can check out this special prison room- it’s not for tourists or common people to enter. It’s concealed behind a special door which can only be accessed through a particular chamber in Parliament.
Legends, Myths & Mystique around Big Ben
Did you really think the storytellers and legend-weavers would leave Big Ben untouched? When has the world ever resisted spinning myths around an icon? No. And that is why, Big Ben also has its fair share of whispered tales.
There’s the eerie tale of Big Ben striking 13 times at midnight…How can a clock strike more than 12th time? Apparently, British believers mark it as an omen of doom, particularly for the Royal Family. Also, the folklore suggests that, if Big Ben clock strikes 13th time at midnight the stone lions at Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square will awaken and they will walk around the streets of London.
Apart from these two, there isn’t much of weird speculation about Big Ben …except for one. Even today, some still believe the name of Big Ben came from Sir Benjamin Hall, a rather large man who oversaw the bell’s installation. I am glad that many still do not believe in it… I so want the name of Big Ben to be born out of something grander.
One can’t measure the value of Big Ben in hours and minutes, but in moments only- it guards memories, holds secrets of heart and stands as a silent witness to our every fleeting moment. To me, Big Ben will always remain the thrill of a first kiss beneath its towering face. Somewhere, it gives me a comforting certainty that no matter how far I wander, I know that if I ever return, Big Ben will still be there—ready to listen to my side as if it had been waiting for me all along..
Big Ben truly helps one realize that time isn’t meant to be chased. It’s meant to be cherished…After all, when time is wrapped in history and emotion, it is never just time- It’s Magic.
And on that note, let’s move on to my next London blog—before reality tries to dull the magic…