The clock tower that houses Big Ben is attached to the Houses of Parliament– and visitors are welcome! Whenever either the House of Commons or House of Lords are in session, it’s free for the public to go inside and sit in the public galleries.

Sit in the Public Galleries at the Houses of Parliament Standing at 96 meters tall, it is a focal point of the Grade I listed Palace of Westminster, which forms a part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.ĭuring this renovation period, international travelers can still enjoy a tour of the Houses of Parliament and visit the surrounding area’s most popular attractions and participate in the below activities. The bongs last fell silent for maintenance in 2007 and a prior refurbishment project from 1983-5.Įlizabeth Tower is currently the most photographed building in the UK, located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. Quieted for only the third time in history, Parliament’s specialist clock makers will ensure that Big Ben will still bong for important national events such as New Year’s Eve and Remembrance Sunday. This essential program of works will safeguard the clock on a long term basis, as well as protecting and preserving its home – the Elizabeth Tower.” As Keeper of the Great Clock I have the great honor of ensuring this beautiful piece of Victorian engineering is in top condition on a daily basis. “Big Ben falling silent is a significant milestone in this crucial conservation project. Steve Jaggs, Keeper of the Great Clock, says:

The public will be able to see one working clock face visible at all times throughout the process, though other faces will be covered at certain points. Weighing an impressive 13.7 tons, the custom-built Victoria clockwork mechanism will continue telling time silently after the striking hammers are disconnected. In order to preserve the iconic Victorian engineering of the Great Clock and Great Bell, Big Ben’s famous striking will be paused until 2021. For the next four years, Big Ben’s bongs will fall silent as a major conservation project begins at Elizabeth Tower on August 21, 2017.

New York, New York (August 15, 2017) – For 157 years, the iconic time-keeper of the capital city has rung out every hour to the note of E, accompanied by distinct chiming bells every 15 minutes.

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