Big Ben Restoration: What’s Happening and When You Can See It

If you’ve ever heard the chimes of Big Ben echo across Westminster, you know the sound is iconic. The tower’s been closed for work since 2017, and the buzz on the streets is all about the restoration. So, what’s actually going on inside the clock tower, and when will the bells start ringing again? Here’s the low‑down in plain English.

Why the Restoration Is Needed

The clock mechanism is over 160 years old, and the stonework showed serious wear after decades of rain, wind, and pollution. Engineers discovered cracks in the supporting framework and corrosion on the metallic parts of the clock’s movement. Those problems aren’t just cosmetic – they can affect the accuracy of the time‑keeping and, worst case, cause structural failure. The goal of the restoration is to preserve the historic integrity while upgrading the tower to meet modern safety standards.

Key upgrades include:

• Replacing the original iron pendulum with a more stable alloy.
• Installing a new, energy‑efficient lighting system that highlights the tower at night.
• Cleaning and repairing the stone façade using techniques that match the original craftsmanship.
• Adding seismic dampers to protect the tower against future vibrations.

What’s Been Done So Far

Work started with a complete disassembly of the clock’s inner workings. The massive four‑ton hour hand and minute hand were lifted out and sent to a specialist workshop for refurbishment. Meanwhile, stonemasons sandblasted the exterior to erase years of grime, then applied a breathable sealant to keep the stone protected without trapping moisture.

In 2022 the foundry began recasting the bell’s famous 13‑ton “Great Bell” (Big Ben) to replace a small crack that appeared after a 2015 renovation. The new bell will sound almost identical but will last much longer. By early 2024 the clock’s mechanism was reassembled and tested in a controlled environment before being lifted back into the tower.

All these steps have been meticulously documented, and the project team releases regular updates on their website. The next big milestone is the final calibration of the clock’s strike sequence, scheduled for late 2025.

When Can You See Big Ben Again?

Public access to the clock tower is expected to reopen in early 2026, after a final safety inspection by Historic England. The famous chimes are slated to resume in spring 2026, timed to coincide with the Queen’s Birthday Parade. If you’re planning a trip to London, you’ll want to aim for late May or June to catch the first post‑restoration strikes.

Even while the tower is closed, you can still admire the exterior from the Westminster Bridge or the River Thames. Guided walking tours often include a stop at the base of the tower, where guides share stories about the restoration process and the history of the bell. Some tours also offer a virtual reality experience that lets you see the pendulum swing inside the clock face—pretty cool if you can’t wait for the real thing.

Bottom line: the restoration isn’t just a facelift; it’s a full‑scale engineering project that will keep Big Ben ticking for another century. Keep an eye on official updates, book your London visit for mid‑2026, and get ready to hear those world‑famous bells ring again. It’s a piece of history you’ll want to hear in person.