Visiting London without taking a photo of Big Ben is like not going at all, but there’s still a lot an average person doesn’t know about this popular tourist sight.
Real Name
Referring to this attraction as Big Ben is actually inaccurate. The official name of this structure was the Clock Tower until it was renamed to Elizabeth Tower in 2012, in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Legendary Nickname
Big Ben is actually the endearing nickname of the tower’s biggest bell. Most people believe it was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw its installation. Others insists this famous building owes its nickname to heavyweight champion Benjamin Caunt.
Magical Penny
Whenever Big Ben is running fast, it can be adjusted with a surprisingly trivial object – a single penny. Adding a penny to the pendulum can slow up the time by 0.4 seconds per day.
Limited Visits
Visiting Big Ban is easier said than done. As of 2010, only residents of the UK are allowed to take a tour with a special permission. Unfortunately, all the tours have been suspended until at least 2021 due to renovations, but you can at least enjoy the view.