Anna Quindlen once said, “London opens to you like a novel itself… It’s divided into chapters, chapters into scenes, the scenes into sentences.”
Today, I have finally decided to open a chapter of Big Ben. This personal Big Ben travel blog explores its history, architecture, myths, and the emotional experience of visiting Big Ben at sunrise. So, please keep reading.
London is the city of dreams for many around the world. But I don’t remember dreaming of the city ever without its Big Ben. This 165-years-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, your fingers will reach for your partner’s without meaning to. You will want to kiss them, share some sweet nothings with them…proof that Big Ben is a deeply romantic place in London.
And just like that… the grand clock tower ceases to be a mere landmark. Doesn’t it? Just imagine…if a tower can make you feel this way, isn’t it perfect in every sense?
If you just want the facts like height, age, history, basic details…the usual Big Ben facts and legends, well, there’s always Wikipedia and thousands of 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…something you only understand through the visiting Big Ben London experience. Tell me, can you call the iconic Big Ben clock tower London just a clock tower? I believe it’s definitely much more than a simple tower. It’s the heartbeat of a city, it’s that silent constant of London’s skyline which never gets tired of 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, let me tell you Big Ben at sunrise is just breathtaking…please check out my youtube video to see how Big Ben sunrise London looks actually.
Now, where better to start this blog than at its very birth…the beginning of Big Ben history?
A Tower Born from Fire: The History of Big Ben London
Yes, in 1834, the story of this world-renowned tower began in tragedy, marking a defining chapter in Big Ben London history. There was a devastating fire that 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 the clock tower that emerged victorious, making him the chief architect of the Big Ben London 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 designs to this masterpiece.
Though it began in 1843… the construction was not going smoothly at all. It took 16 years of patience, endless problem-solving, and relentless craftsmanship before Big Ben was finally ready in 1859. The greatest challenge was to design the Great Clock of the tower. This clock was always intended to be the most accurate public clock in the entire world. The Big Ben designers were trying to incorporate a revolutionary gravity escapement mechanism that could ensure the clock’s precision was not affected by external factors, such as the weather. Though it took time, they successfully implemented the mechanism in 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.
For the last 165 years, Big Ben has stood tall, as 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 officially called Elizabeth Tower Big Ben stood undaunted as the Blitz raged over London, its bells unwavering even as the city rebuilt itself.
Beneath its gaze, once upon a time, the Hansom Cab ruled the streets of London, giving way to the Lanchester 10 HP, the regal Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, and the suave Aston Martin DB5. But these days, this Elizabeth Tower London gets to witness the silent hum of Teslas gliding into the future. One thing is for sure, Big Ben remained unchanged….just like a steadfast guardian of time through farewells, and the birth of a new millennium for the world and of course for London. So, when you are are visiting London, you should visit Big Ben first…after that carry on with your trip to Westminster Abbey, National Gallery London or Natural History Museum. Also, don’t forget to meet the famous paddington bear at paddington station…he is as famous as the iconic Big Ben.
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 London is, in a true sense, a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture. What do you think? 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…one of those fascinating Big Ben clock facts that never fails to amaze. The hour hand alone stretches to 9 feet, while the minute hand of Big Ben to an astonishing 14 feet. Apart from these, the bells inside the tower are bronze-made, and they weigh no less than 13.5 tons approximately, 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. And 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, which was the color Architect Pugin selected initially in the 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 the stately façade of this great tower lies a tiny prison cell…yes, you read that right. There’s really a Big Ben prison cell inside the tower. Historically, the cell was used as a temporary detention room for MPs who breached the conduct rules set by the parliament. 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, 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, without creating Big Ben myths and legends? When has the world ever resisted spinning myths around a famous icon? Hard to remember. 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 weird speculation about Big Ben London …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… Phew!
Actually, one can’t measure the value of Big Ben in hours and minutes, but in moments only…it guards memories, holds secrets of the heart, and stands as a silent witness to our every fleeting moment. To me, Big Ben will always remain the thrill of kissing a loved one beneath its towering face. I must say, somewhere, there’s a comforting certainty that no matter how far I wander, I know that if I ever return to this city of dreams, Big Ben will still be there….waiting for me all along right next to that green bridge of London.
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…
Last updated: 2026
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