London’s Big Ben Restoration: Saving Our Icon for the Future

If you’ve walked near Westminster Bridge in London anytime since 2017, you couldn’t miss the scaffolding wrapping Big Ben. This wasn’t just a quick patch-up job. The restoration of London’s most famous clock has turned into one of the city’s longest-running fixes, right at the heart of the capital’s oldest landmarks district. Whether you’re a Londoner dodging tourists or someone who loves a good walking route along the South Bank, it’s impossible to ignore how this hands-on job changes the local vibe.

If you thought it was mainly about a new lick of paint, think again. Crews are working on everything from stone cleaning to fixing the intricate cast iron roof and sorting out the clock’s dials. They even swapped all 2,567 pieces of glass on the clock faces. There’s high-tech stuff too, like brand new energy-saving lights and upgraded acoustics for the famous chimes. The restoration has even made sure the Elizabeth Tower won’t need another massive fix for decades—saving everyone from more scaffolding eyesores any time soon.

• Why Big Ben Is a London Icon
• Inside the Restoration Project
• Surprising Facts About the Clock and Tower
• How Restoration Impacts Daily Life in Central London
• Best Places to See Big Ben During Works
• What’s Next for Big Ben and Local Heritage

Why Big Ben Is a London Icon

Ask anyone living in or visiting London what comes to mind when they think of the city, and you’ll hear “Big Ben” almost every time. But here’s something most tourists don’t know: the name “Big Ben” actually refers to the Great Bell inside the Elizabeth Tower, not the clock or the tower itself. Locals, though, call the whole thing Big Ben—it’s just easier that way.

Standing right next to the Thames and the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben has been the go-to image on postcards, souvenirs, and London-themed anything for ages. You’ll spot it in everything from New Year’s Eve broadcasts on the BBC—where its chimes mark midnight—to Hollywood films showing off London’s skyline. Its unmistakable outline gives everyone a clear point of reference in Westminster and has pretty much become the symbol of London's spirit.

"Big Ben is, without doubt, London’s best-known landmark and a symbol of the nation’s democratic spirit." — Historic England

Here’s a look at what makes the Big Ben clock tower stand out:

• The tower was finished in 1859, right after a big fire damaged the old Palace of Westminster.
• Each clock face measures just over seven metres across—the size of a typical London double-decker bus.
• The chimes first rang on July 11th, 1859, and haven’t stopped except for repairs during World War II and now, the restoration.
• The accuracy and design have made it a standard for timekeeping in the UK—you still hear, “Set your watch by Big Ben.”
• Its distinctive “bong” is even broadcast on BBC Radio 4 as the hourly signal, tying it into British daily life.

Some quick numbers for the details crowd:

Next time you’re near Westminster, check out the crowds snapping selfies or filming the bongs—it shows how much locals and visitors still connect with the tower. The restoration isn’t just about keeping an old building going. It’s about holding onto something Londoners actually care about—especially when so many other city landmarks are changing fast.

Inside the Restoration Project

Big Ben’s restoration—actually, the Elizabeth Tower’s—has been full-on. The project kicked off in 2017, originally planned for four years but stretched past 2023 because hidden problems kept popping up. It’s no wonder; a building from the 1800s always throws up surprises once you start poking around.

Right away, the teams realized it wasn’t just the clock hands or the bells needing attention. Over 30,000 tiles on the roof were checked or replaced. Every glass panel in the clock faces got swapped too, and if you stand near Parliament, you might spot the original bright blue paint restored on the clock’s dials—much more vivid than the faded black most Londoners remember.

The scaffolding wasn’t just for show. Workers went up and down daily to repair crumbling stonework, weathered after decades of seagulls, car fumes on Westminster Bridge, and London’s unpredictable rain. Rusted ironwork had to be treated or replaced, and water damage ran deeper than expected. Teams even found damage caused by pollution from the old London smogs.

One cool update: LED lighting replaced the old bulbs, saving energy and giving the tower a crisper look at night. There’s a whole new lift inside (no more stair climbing for emergencies) and a modern fire safety system installed. These upgrades mean the tower is safer and much easier to keep in shape in the future.

• The clock mechanism, which chimes every 15 minutes, was completely taken apart, cleaned, and rebuilt by hand.
• All four clock faces had their dials and numbers repainted to match the original Victorian colour scheme.
• Craftspeople used traditional materials—like Anston stone from Yorkshire—so the repairs stay true to the original designs.
• London’s iconic bell, Big Ben itself, stayed in place but workers installed a temporary electric hammer to keep the chimes going during the upgrade.

The Big Ben restoration isn’t just about keeping up appearances. Every move was about making sure Londoners and visitors can keep hearing those chimes for another 150 years without more major shut-downs.

Surprising Facts About the Clock and Tower

Most folks don’t realise that Big Ben is actually the nickname for the Great Bell inside the tower—not the whole structure. The official name of the tower is the Elizabeth Tower, renamed in 2012 for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. And as for the clock faces, they’ve been keeping time for London since 1859, minus a few hiccups during wartime and heavy maintenance.

Here are some facts that stand out, even if you pass by every day:

• The bell inside weighs about 13.7 tonnes—roughly what double-decker buses would weigh stacked on top of each other.
• Each clock face on the tower measures over seven metres across. You could park a black cab inside the circle and still have space to spare.
• The minute hands are 4.2 metres long and weigh about 100kg each, which is close to the same as a London market stall loaded with veg for the day.
• When the clock was first installed, builders used a penny to help regulate its accuracy. It’s still a tradition. Today, a 1p coin added or removed can change the clock’s timing by a fraction of a second.
• Even during the biggest bits of restoration, the chimes for Remembrance Day and New Year’s Eve kept going—these moments matter too much for any Londoner to miss.

Here's a quick look at some of the Big Ben highlights in numbers:

Seeing the scaffolding up close, you get a sense for just how detailed the work is. Every single bit of golden detail you see from Westminster Bridge has needed hand-cleaning or repair. And the protection of these details isn’t just for show—it’s to keep Big Ben at the centre of London’s skyline for generations to come.

How Restoration Impacts Daily Life in Central London

The Big Ben restoration hasn’t just changed London’s skyline—it’s made quite a difference to people living and working in Westminster. For starters, the familiar chimes were almost completely silenced for years. The famous bong only returned for special moments like Remembrance Sunday and New Year’s Eve. This left many locals feeling the days were a bit quieter than they should be—especially since the chimes usually mark out each hour for anyone nearby.

Daily walking routes and cycle paths near the Elizabeth Tower have seen regular detours because of ongoing works. Bus stops were shifted, and traffic around Parliament Square got heavier at certain times. People heading to Westminster tube station might have noticed the change, especially during the morning rush or while navigating rowdy crowds on event days like the London Marathon or Extinction Rebellion protests.

Tons of visitors to Big Ben (and nearby sights like the London Eye or Southbank Centre) were surprised by how much scaffolding hid from view—some even planned return trips just to see the finished restoration. Street performers around Parliament often found the usual crowds were thinner, with tourists opting for selfies in front of other famous London attractions until the wraps came down.

But not everything has been an inconvenience. The restoration created over 500 jobs including engineers, stonemasons, and conservation experts—most hired through UK-based companies. Several businesses nearby—cafes, pubs like St Stephen’s Tavern, and souvenir shops—adjusted menus or opening hours to pick up extra trade from the steady stream of construction workers and curious visitors.

• Chimes silenced on most days since August 2017
• 800+ protective panels installed around the clock faces
• Roads closed or re-routed over 200 times due to site deliveries

If you're commuting by bus in Zone 1, watch out for temporary stops. Taxi drivers have been sharing handy detour tips with locals and keeping meter charges fair when Parliament Square gets gridlocked. If walking, approaching from St James’s Park or across Westminster Bridge gets you the best peek of the tower—if you’re willing to swerve around a bit of fencing.

Love your usual shortcut through Westminster? Just check TfL’s live updates before heading out, as closure notices sometimes pop up with little warning. But even with all the dust and disruption, there’s a real feeling that this is a once-in-a-generation project. Locals know they’re witnessing London history in the making—right outside their front door.

Best Places to See Big Ben During Works

Catching a good view of Big Ben in London hasn’t been easy with all the scaffolding. Still, you can grab a great photo for your feed and see the progress if you know where to stand. Don’t sweat it if you want that classic shot—there are tricks locals use to work around the building works.

• Westminster Bridge: This is the classic spot for photos, especially at sunset when the lights start to come on. Even with scaffolding, the bridge gives you a wide-angle view, and you can include the Thames and London Eye in the background.
• Parliament Square Garden: Right across from the tower, this small park puts you as close as possible to Big Ben. Even if some views are blocked, you can see how the restoration team works up close. There are benches for a breather and usually a few food stalls nearby for a quick snack.
• South Bank (near the London Eye): Walk across Westminster Bridge to the South Bank and look back for a different angle. It’s a popular route for runners and cyclists, and you’ll often see street performers at weekends. You get a cool riverside backdrop with the Houses of Parliament included.
• Victoria Embankment: Head south along the river and you’ll find a less crowded angle for snapping photos. This walkway is quieter in the evenings and perfect for getting a picture without crowds in the way.
• Sky Garden: For something special, book a slot at the free Sky Garden (20 Fenchurch Street). On a clear day, the view stretches over the entire city, including Big Ben—scaffolding and all. Book online in advance to beat queues.

If you want to catch the chimes, just remember Big Ben’s bells were mostly silent during restoration except for big events like New Year’s Eve and Remembrance Sunday. You can check upcoming chime times on the official UK Parliament website.

The best time for decent light is late afternoon, especially in the summer months. London weather is famously unpredictable, so check the forecast before heading out. If your goal is to see the Big Ben restoration in action, try catching the team during weekday working hours—you might spot cranes and workers tackling the next bit of history.

What’s Next for Big Ben and Local Heritage

Now that the dust has pretty much settled on the repairs, what actually happens next with Big Ben? First off, the Elizabeth Tower will finally be visible again, with all that scaffolding gone. This means the clock will go back to being one of the top photo spots for visitors and a familiar sight for Londoners heading into Westminster or zipping past on the bus.

The official reopening is set to include guided tours again. If you’re a UK resident, you can book a visit through your MP to climb the 334 steps to the belfry. Non-residents will have to hold tight, but there’s talk of expanding access in the next few years. For teachers, schools, or curious kids, the Parliament Education Centre is keeping the history alive with new learning programs focused on the restoration story.

For everyone in London, the new lighting installed in the tower is energy efficient and designed to reduce light pollution in the neighbourhood. It’s a small thing, but it’s making a difference, lighting up the skyline at night without messing with central London residents’ sleep schedules.

This project has also brought up questions about how we handle heritage buildings across the UK. There’s a big focus now on using local materials for repairs—like limestone from Yorkshire and ironwork from foundries in the Midlands. After seeing the public interest in Big Ben, other sites like St. Paul’s Cathedral and even local gems like Wilton’s Music Hall are looking to draw on this momentum to push for their own repairs.

Here’s a quick look at the impact so far, and what might change in local heritage work:

Tip for locals: Once tours reopen, book early—from experience they fill up fast, especially during school holidays and London Open House events. And if you’re just after a good view, the Westminster Bridge and Parliament Square Gardens both give clear lines of sight for snaps now that the iconic hands of the clock are ticking again.