How the Elizabeth Tower was built

With the Elizabeth Tower conservation project nearing completion, this talk takes you back in time to 1834, the early construction and design phase of the iconic Elizabeth Tower you see today. UK Parliament's Estate Archivist and Historian, Dr Mark Collins, will share his knowledge on what challenges the architect faced and some pivotal moments in the tower's history.

We'll look at the unique methods used to design the tower and install Big Ben’s clock and bells. You'll also hear stories about fascinating aspects of the tower, from its exquisite gilding, stonework, shields, cross and orbs to how Big Ben got its name.

Dr Collins will conclude with his unique perspective on the conservation project. You’ll get to hear how the original drawings, photographs and historical architecture information he provided were used by the project team. The conservation project, the largest repair project undertaken on the tower, provided an opportunity for the structure and decoration to be restored to its original appearance.

This event lasts 1 hour and includes 15 minutes at the end for you to ask questions.

Limited tickets are available for those wishing to attend the talk in person at UK Parliament at a cost of £5.00. Your ticket includes a free Elizabeth Tower poster which you will receive on the day. We will send full details of how to plan your visit following registration. 

For those joining online, the event will be hosted on Microsoft Teams Live Events which you can access through web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. Safari is not currently supported. You do not need a Microsoft account to join the event. We will send full details of how to join the event online following registration. 

Next month, Dr Mark Collins will be doing part 2 of this talk series, taking you inside the tower to reveal key areas within, and the different technologies used there. Subscribe to the newsletter to hear when tickets become available.