Rain chose the prompt "Clocks" for this week and I immediately had to think of one of the most famous clocks in the world - Big Ben, the nickname of the beloved clock tower of the Palace of Westminster in London. It holds the Great Bell and I'm pretty sure that everyone would recognize the sound of the four quarter bells which chime on the quarter hours. If not, you can listen to the quarter bells and the Great Bell here.
The clock tower was designed by Augustus Pugin in a Perpendicular Gothic Revival style and was completed in 1859. It is 316 feet (96 meters) tall and 334 steps lead from ground level to the belfry. The dials of the clock are 22.5 feet (6.9 meters) in diameter.
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The clock still uses its original mechanism. It was designed by Edmund Beckett Denison and George Airy, the Astronomer Royal at the time, and constructed by Edward John Dent and Frederick Dent. The first Dent mentioned was a famous English watchmaker noted for his highly accurate clocks and marine chronometers. The clock is highly reliable and can be adjusted by adding or removing pre-decimal pennies (the old penny used before 1971) from the pendulum. The Great Bell weighs 13.5 long tons (13.7 tonnes; 15.1 short tons). You don't want that to fall on your feet.
Big Ben was officially named Clock Tower until 2012 when it was renamed to Elizabeth Tower to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The nickname Big Ben originally refered to the Great Bell, but is widely used for the entire tower.
Big Ben is a British cultural icon, easily recognizable. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. During its recent renovation, the bells remained silent between 2017 and 2021.
Right across from Big Ben stands the statue of the greatest British politician of the 20th century, Sir Winston Churchill. You can see Big Ben through his legs.
And if you feel like it, you can give Big Ben a kiss. Why not?
(This face is for Nicole's Friday Face Off)
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Since this is for Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date, let's have some typical British pub food - fish and chips with mushy peas. Don't forget a pint of beer to go with it.
Oh, 1992 war ich das letzte Mal in London! Wie die Zeit vergeht.
ReplyDeleteAber Fish & Chips werde ich ganz bald in Freo genießen!
Big Ben is possibly the most famous clock in the world. Mushy peas? Not for me. My English mother liked them, but I never did.
ReplyDeletethe street frames and the food are looking very nice
ReplyDeleteBig Ben is an iconic symbol of Britain, as you say, Carola, and Winston Churchill no less. How did that country ever slide downwards from Winston Churchill to Boris Johnson? Political rot knows no national boundaries, does it? As for fish and chips and mushy peas, I am salivating at the mere thought. We had them at a little restaurant in Conwy in Wales, where the claim on the door said, “This may be the best fish and chips you have ever had.” They were right! Hugs from Ontario - David
ReplyDeleteYum! Fish & Chips! I remember seeing Big Ben, when I visited my brother in London. Great photos!
ReplyDelete...Carola, I love all the angles that you captured of BIG Ben.
ReplyDeleteBig Ben is such an icon! Is there ever a bad photo (apart from the scaffolding years). But you caught some fabulous angles one doesn't often see.
ReplyDeleteYou have some interesting views of that famous clock. I like them because they are different from what you usually see. And now I need lunch. Fish and chips and mushy peas with a pint is one of my favorite meals. Too bad here in the US you usually get cole slaw, which I like, but mushy peas is something I like better. Hope you are having a good week Carola. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteThe fish looks amazing and I enjoyed your clock photos.
ReplyDeletePhotos like this make me very homesick, sigh! Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteBig Ben is known all over the world.
ReplyDeleteDa hast Du ja dem großen Ben eine ausgiebige Fotoserie gewidmet. Das ist wohl eines der wenigen Uhrenbilder, die die meisten schon nach dem ersten Augenaufschlag zuordnen könnten. Die Fish and Chips schauen gut aus...ob die auch so schmecken? Ich habe leider noch nie orginal englische F & C kosten können.
ReplyDeleteALles Liebe und eine gute Zeit
Violetta
Thanks for bringing back lovely memories of my one time trip to London. I certainly remember the lovely sounds of the chimes from Big Ben.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to see big ben and all that's around it. I really love how you shot these photos. Ohhhh now that is fish n chips! Thank you for sharing with FFO and have a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos of 'Big Ben' ~ London is a fascinating visit ~
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Your photos are terrific! Such an enjoyable and informative post.
ReplyDeletebest, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I loved everything except the mushy peas, Carola! Thank you for the wonderful information you put together about this iconic clock! I have seen it and heard it. And I have enjoyed a number of servings of London's fish and chips ~ but nothing is ever going to make me enjoy mushy peas. Happy weekend and hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteOh my Carola, I so enjoyed seeing all of your wonderful photographs, you certainly got some great views of Big Ben, with so many different angles.
ReplyDeleteThat fish and chips with mushy peas, yes typical British pub food.
Enjoy these last days of January.
All the best Jan
Carola, when we spent a scant 3 days in London last October, Big Ben was seen only from a distance on a dreary day. After seeing this post I know we need to see it close-up on a future visit, so thanks for providing such great photos and informative text. As for fish and chips, we really enjoyed mushy peas and it's a pity that the Americanized version doesn't include this side. ANother reason to return to the UK as if we really needed one.
ReplyDeleteEs precioso, me encantaron las fotografías. Abrazos Carola.
ReplyDelete