London's Big Ben Hidden Gems: Surprising Secrets of the Iconic Tower

When you stroll past the Thames in London, the chimes of Big Ben are probably the first thing you hear. Most visitors think they know everything about the clock tower, yet the monument hides a handful of stories that even locals often miss. Below we peel back the layers of the Westminster clock and reveal the quirks, myths, and hidden features that make it more than just a time‑keeper.

What Exactly Is "Big Ben"?

Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell inside the Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster. While many use the name for the whole tower, technically it refers only to the 13‑ton bell that strikes every hour. The tower itself was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to honor Queen ElizabethII’s Diamond Jubilee. This distinction matters when you hear locals debating "Big Ben vs. Elizabeth Tower"-they’re talking about the same structure, just different parts.

Hidden Gem #1: The Original Clock Face Was Made of Iron

When the tower was completed in 1859, the four clock faces were crafted from cast iron and then painted white. In 1934, a thin layer of glass was added to protect the dials from soot and weather. If you look closely on a rainy day, you can still see the faint iron ribs behind the glass, a reminder of Victorian engineering.

Hidden Gem #2: The Bell’s Mysterious Crack

The Great Bell cracked during testing in 1859, rendering it unusable for a slight moment. Rather than discard it, the foundry repaired it by removing a sliver of metal from the rim, creating the distinctive, slightly off‑beat tone you hear today. The cracked bell is still in place; the crack can be seen at the 17‑minute mark on the clock’s face if you stand at the base and look up.

Hidden Gem #3: A Secret Chamber for the Clock’s Mechanism

Most visitors assume the clock’s machinery lives inside the tower’s walls, but the actual escapement and pendulum sit in a concealed chamber on the fourth floor, accessed only by a winding key turned by a dedicated caretaker. The chamber maintains a constant temperature of 13°C (55°F) to keep the pendulum’s swing precise-a fact known only to the handful of clock‑keepers who receive a yearly invitation.

Hidden Gem #4: The Westminster Chimes Have a Hidden Rhythm

Every quarter‑hour, the tower plays the Westminster chime melody, a pattern originally composed by WilliamDixon. If you isolate the notes, you’ll notice a subtle syncopation that mirrors the rhythm of the Thames’ tide-a poetic nod to the river that frames the building.

Hidden Gem #5: The Tower’s Light Was Once a Naval Signal

During WorldII, the tower’s illuminated clock face served as a covert beacon for Allied ships navigating the foggy Thames. The light was dimmed after the war, but a faint glow still remains, detectable by local photographers using long‑exposure settings near the Westminster Bridge.

Practical Tips for Experiencing These Secrets

• Visit on a weekday morning (8am-10am) to avoid crowds and hear the clock’s mechanism as the caretaker winds it at 5pm.
• Take the Westminster Underground Station exit onto Bridge Street for a clear view of the iron ribs on the clock faces.
• Bring a polarizing filter to capture the glass protecting the dials; it reduces glare and reveals the underlying ironwork.
• Join a guided tour led by Historic Royal Palaces; they sometimes grant a glimpse into the secret chamber (subject to security clearance).
• For night‑time photography, position yourself near StJames’s Park to capture the subtle post‑war navigation light.

Comparison of Popular Myths vs. Hidden Truths

How Big Ben Influences London Life Today

Beyond the clock’s historic allure, its chimes mark the rhythm of the city. Parliament sessions start at 11am, timed to the strike of the bell; the London stock exchange’s opening bell mirrors this tradition, creating a symbolic link between governance and commerce.

Every New Year’s Eve, the first chime of Big Ben signals the moment Londoners count down from 10, a practice that began after the 1978 fire that temporarily silenced the tower. The sound also cues the closing of the London Underground lines on the last night of the year, ensuring commuters know it’s time to head home.

Preserving the Tower for Future Generations

The most recent conservation project, completed in 2023, replaced the clock’s wiring with solar‑powered LEDs while retaining the historic mechanism. The effort, led by English Heritage, introduced a monitoring system that alerts engineers to temperature fluctuations in the secret chamber, safeguarding the pendulum’s precision for decades.

Local schools now organize field trips that include a hands‑on workshop on clock‑making, where pupils build mini‑escapements using 3‑D‑printed parts-a nod to the tower’s legacy of craftsmanship.

Quick Recap of Big Ben’s Hidden Gems

• The clock faces started as iron, later protected by glass.
• The Great Bell’s distinctive tone comes from a repaired crack.
• A temperature‑controlled secret chamber houses the pendulum.
• The Westminster chime mirrors the Thames’ tide rhythm.
• The tower’s illumination once guided wartime ships.