| The Great Bell in the clock tower of the Houses | | | | September to 16 November telling the story of |
| of Parliament, fondly known as “Big Ben,” | | | | the famous London clock, tower, and bells. The |
| is widely recognised as one of Britain’s most | | | | 2009 Big Ben £5 Crown, one of the official |
| iconic landmarks. And what better time to visit | | | | licensed coins celebrating the London 2012 |
| this favourite attraction than during its 150th | | | | Olympics, bears an image of the famous clock |
| Anniversary year? The clock began ticking on the | | | | face, and will now play a part in the giant |
| 31st of May 1959, but it wasn’t until 11 July | | | | clock’s famous accuracy. |
| 1959 that Big Ben first struck the hour in the | | | | Coins have played an important part in keeping |
| Palace of Westminster. | | | | the clock accurate from the very beginning. The |
| A number of events have already taken place in | | | | coins—originally pre-decimal pennies—are |
| London to commemorate Big Ben’s 150 | | | | stacked on the clock’s pendulum and added |
| years of service. The famous clock tower’s | | | | or subtracted as necessary to affect the rate at |
| miniature version, suitably christened “Little | | | | which it swings. Several of these 150-year-old |
| Ben,” which stands near Victoria Station, | | | | coins were removed on Thursday and replaced |
| chimed out the hours for the first time on July 10 | | | | with the new five-pound Crown, in a historic |
| from 7am to 7pm to celebrate the anniversary. | | | | event helping to celebrate the clock’s |
| Portcullis House held a special exhibition from 21 | | | | :anniversary. |