In the July 2017 edition of Tower Talk, there is a feature on a visit to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry which cast Big Ben!

The name Big Ben is often used to describe the tower, clock and bell but the name was first given to the Great Bell, cast at Whitechapel in April 1858.

The Elizabeth Tower, which stands at the north end of the Houses of Parliament was completed in 1859. The Great clock started on 31st May, with the Great Bell’s chimes heard for the first time on 11th July and the quarter bells first chimed on 7th September 1859.

The Clock Tower at the Palace of Westminster. Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0

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