The tower was designed by architects Charles Barry and Augstus Wellby Pugin.Īn important part of the tower's restoration is to improve fire prevention standards.

The last extensive conservation work on the UNESCO World Heritage site were completed between 19. The clock was designed and installed in 1859, with the aim of creating the most accurate public timepiece in the world.įrom spring, Big Ben and the four quarter bells will once again sound out the famous Westminster Quarters melody and resonant bongs throughout the day - the first time they have done so since the restoration began in 2017. The task has been particularly painstaking given that neither the original designer, Edmund Beckett Denison, nor installer, Edward John Dent, kept detailed records of how it was constructed. The Elizabeth Tower, housing the Big Ben bell, is seen clad in scalffolding, over the Houses of Parliament, in central London in 2017 The final face has now been restored and is showing the correct time. In January this year Big Ben's iconic clock faces caused some confusion as baffled passersby noticed that one of the four dials was stuck at 12 o'clock. Photographs of the four newly-restored clock faces on the Palace of Westminster's Elizabeth Tower showed hands on the west dial jammed at 12 o'clock. When black paint was stripped away from the dials during repair work earlier this year, it was discovered that it was originally painted in a dark hue known as Prussian blue. The bell at the world-famous London landmark was barely rung while the tower was covered in scaffolding - which was removed in late 2021, revealing a view of the clock face's restored original paint colour. Over the past five years, the 96-metre tower and the clockwork and bell mechanism within it have undergone the biggest repair and conservation project in its history.

The last remaining face of Big Ben has now been fully restored to its former glory - and showing the correct time - after its refurbishment.

Bigben racestoel