An iconic London landmark, Big Ben is actually the name of the bell within the clock tower which was renamed to the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to marked the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
The tower itself is 96 metres tall and features five bells of which Big Ben is the largest weighing in at 13.5 tons. In 1834 a fire destroyed most of the original Palace of Westminster causing it to be rebuilt with the addition of Big Ben. The tower itself leans by 50cm at it’s peak due to ground conditions changing since it was built.
The clock itself is famously accurate it’s chimes being within one second accuracy each day. Adjustments are made by placing old penny coins on the clock’s pendulum to adjust the speed the hands move.
