From fire to clock tower
In 1834 a great fire destroyed the old Palace of Westminster. A new palace was planned, and Charles Barry led the design. Augustus Welby Pugin shaped the Gothic look and the tower that grew out of it. Neither of them should be named as the sole architect of the whole.
This is an independent guide, not run by the UK Parliament. The dates below follow the published Parliament timelines. The painting at the top shows Westminster in the eighteenth century, long before the tower existed.
Timeline of the tower
The main dates in order.
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1834 | A great fire destroys the old Palace of Westminster |
| 1843 | Building of the tower begins |
| 1854 | The clock mechanism is finished |
| April 1858 | The present Great Bell is cast in Whitechapel |
| April 1859 | The mechanism is installed after the building work ends |
| 31 May 1859 | The clock starts |
| 11 July 1859 | The Great Bell strikes the hour for the first time |
| 1863 | The bell is turned by 90 degrees and the hammer made smaller |
| 2012 | The tower is renamed Elizabeth Tower |
| 2017 to 2022 | Major repairs, then a return to regular operation |
Westminster tours and cruises near Big Ben
Walking tours, river cruises and sightseeing trips around Westminster, with live prices and availability.
Why the date is 1859
"Completed in 1859" needs a short explanation. The tower went up from 1843, and the clock mechanism was ready in 1854. The mechanism was installed in April 1859, once the building work was done, and the clock began to run on 31 May 1859. The first stroke of the hour followed on 11 July 1859.
The bell that cracked
The bell cracked again later in 1859. In 1863 it was turned by 90 degrees and a smaller hammer was fitted, so that it could strike the hours again. You can read more on the chimes page.
The Elizabeth Tower
The name Elizabeth Tower dates from 2012, the year of the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II. Big Ben remains the name of the bell, and most people use it for the whole tower.
The renovation of 2017 to 2022
The tower was repaired between 2017 and 2022. The photo of the scaffolding shows the tower during that work. Regular operation of the bells and the clock returned in 2022, so the tower is not closed for good.
What did the repairs cost?
A joint report of the parliamentary committees, published on 5 February 2026, gives an agreed budget of £61 million after the business case and a final cost of £88 million. It names unexpected asbestos and war damage as reasons. An earlier estimate from February 2020 was £80 million. That is an older figure and not the final bill.
Getting inside today
International visitors were allowed on the tower tours from 2023. Today, tickets are sold online only. A limited number of free tickets for UK residents can be requested through a Member of Parliament. Tickets are generally not refundable, but if the organizer cancels for reasons such as the work of Parliament, security or health, the ticket price is refunded.
A World Heritage setting
The UNESCO listing covers the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and Saint Margaret's Church. For a visit, the Abbey page has the details for the Abbey, which has its own ticket.
Clock and accuracy
The clock was designed by Edmund Beckett Denison and built by Edward John Dent. The astronomer George Airy set the demanding original rule that the hour stroke should deviate by no more than 1 second. The clock page explains the mechanism.
After the repairs
Visiting the tower today.
Tours returned in 2023
Tower tours resumed in July 2023, and international visitors were allowed at that time. The tour prices of 2023 are out of date. Tickets for tours from 1 August 2026 cost £55 for adults and £35 for ages 11 to 17.
Tower tour guide →Who can go in
UK and international visitors from 11 years can take the tour, but the climb is 334 steps and not for everyone.
Can you go inside? →The clock today
The Great Clock is a weight-driven mechanism designed by Denison and built by Dent, and it started running in 1859.
The Great Clock →Keep reading
Numbers, bells and views of the tower.
Big Ben history: frequently asked questions
When was Big Ben built?
Building of the tower began in 1843. The clock mechanism was installed in April 1859 and the clock started on 31 May 1859. The first hour stroke came on 11 July 1859.
Who designed the Elizabeth Tower?
Charles Barry was responsible for the design of the new palace, and Augustus Welby Pugin shaped the Gothic design and the tower. Parliament names both.
Why did Big Ben close for repairs?
The tower was repaired from 2017 to 2022. Regular operation returned in 2022.
How much did the renovation cost?
A report of 5 February 2026 gives £88 million as the final cost against an agreed budget of £61 million. An estimate from 2020 was £80 million.
Is Big Ben still closed?
No. The bells and clock work normally, and tower tours are offered again. Tours can be cancelled at short notice by the organizer, so keep your plans flexible.
When was the tower renamed?
In 2012, for the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II, it became the Elizabeth Tower.