DID YOU KNOW?
O The tower's clock is adjusted using pre-decimal pennies. Adding one penny to the pendulum causes the clock to gain two-fifths of a second in 24 hours O Strong wind on the clock hands can affect the clock’s accuracy
O Big Ben’s bongs were first broadcast by the BBC on 31 December 1923, and the tradition continues on New Year's Eve to this day
O The origin of the bell's nickname is not known for sure, though some believe it was named after Benjamin Caunt, a heavyweight boxing champion
O The latin inscription under the clock face translates as ‘Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First’
O A special light above the clock faces is lit when parliament is in session
O The clock is hand-wound three times a week. Each winding takes about 1.5 hours to complete O The Elizabeth Tower contains its own prison cell, originally designed for unruly Members of Parliament