Inside Big Ben's Makeover
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- Опубликовано: 14 апр 2020
- Join Fred Mills inside the £80M restoration of London's Elizabeth Tower, the iconic structure at the heart of the UK's Palace of Westminster. For more by The B1M subscribe now - ow.ly/GxW7y.
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Presented and narrated by Fred Mills - / fred_mills
Read the full story on this video, including images and useful links, here:
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Please note that this documentary was produced in January 2020 before the current measures to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic were introduced. Additional footage and images courtesy of UK Parliament, Mark Duffy, Jessica Taylor, David Holt, Sir Robert McAlpine, Catherine Babbington and the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.
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This is a fantastic video guys! I've never seen Elizabeth Tower in such intricate detail and learning the insane logistics of the project is pretty mind-blowing and fascinating!
Emmm... Haven't you seen Mary Poppins?
Hello! May I please know what that red flower's name is? And what is its significance to the tower? Thank you!
I never knew it was called Elizabeth Tower. I always knew it as Big Ben... so I thank you for giving me the proper terminology.
Crafty Barstool what’s that and how is it relevant? not clicking on a random link.
@@yammmit not relevant just view mongering or maby relevant im isolating so making craft idea videos
They really are working around the clock.
Is this the TIME for puns? 😂🤘
Have got to HAND it to you. That was a good pun
Dang. Y'all really CLOCKING in these puns
Stop
Clock hammer time
We threw a bunch of seed around Big Ben, but we only grew Thyme.
It’s honestly so weird seeing the tower up this close.
I think that's probably why half the people came to this video. I know that's why I clicked
Once in a lifetime opportunity
It's pretty cool, so much detail that you'd never see from the street
ikr it's gigantic
Weired flex
I hope Notre Dame is restored this way, and not 'modernized'
Well they said it will be rebuilt just as it used to look
Except for no smoking signs :D
Great Hun. same
@Great Hun. dude
Nôtre d'âme is the center of Paris, even France.
She is the heart of France, the country donated a billion euros to repair her.
Nope they won't
Money well spent. Big Ben will be a master piece when it is finished. She will look beautiful again. There is craftsmen still out there, all I can say is Thankyou for restoring a gem that will shine bright again.
'The clock tower known as big ben is getting a 21st century makeover'
Removes scaffolding and the clock face is now a digital one
No way 🤪
LOL. imagine they replaced it as digital by using a LED wall with ads on it
*its not the tower its the bell!*
Edmond Elephant says..
A true 21st century makeover will have some sort of subscription
My exact thoughts. Why on Earth haven't they swapped the clock for a digital one like decades ago? So backwards and outdated.
"the workers tucked little messages in the cracks, wishing us well" - (doesn't show them) feels bad man
Had the same thought. Given their age and likely fragile condition, they were surely stored in archives. I would assume and trust they will place those on public display at some point.
There are similar messages in the York Minster from hundreds of years ago. I believe there’s a bit of graffiti that fundamentally says ‘Choir practice is too cold’ which has been traced back to the 16th century. I love historical messages like that!
Right?!?
I assume that was something he was told had happened at the beginning of the project years ago when the work began so there would be no footage for him to record
"You are reading this note because it fell through the cracks! S'time to get off your arse and get to rebuilding her again boys!"
Can’t wait for it to be completed, been in London for over 3 years now and I’ve had enough of looking into scaffolding 🤦♂️😂
Excuse me.. 3 years?!
@@TEENYcharma yes it’s been ages since it last had no scaffolding
@@TEENYcharma he said it started in 2017
That’s government for you.
@@DavidBcc European government no less
I need to visit London again to see this!!
Much love from Australia 🇦🇺
Much respect for correcting flawed data and digitizing everything to make it easier for future restorers.
It's amazing the changes in everything that digitization/computers had brought to everything like this. Like instantly knowing where each part of it is and at what stage of work. It would have taken millions of pages of files and hundreds of people to keep track of all of that, and a lot of it not even possible only a couple decades ago.
@@emjayay question is, how much of that will be useful in couple decades from now. Try to open digitised files from 20 years ago. Either you miss the drives to read the data or the programs that can. It won't be much different in 20 years from now, yet alone in 100 years or so when the next renovation will take place.
@@blubbber This type of technology is not going to be obsolete in 20 years. The DXF file was introduced in 1982 and is still commonly used today; that's 39 years ago. 3D files are a bit different, but there's many ways to batch convert or upgrade them to the latest format.
@@blubbber It's possible that they are creating a printed version, just in case. Of course, you might need a huge building to store the printouts.
@@blubbber I'd say that now data formats are a lot more standardised and most are here to stay.
Protocols such as TCP (server handshake to check connection), ASCII (formatting text in binary) , SMTP (email protocol) have been around for 50+ years because they got standardised early.
Mind-boggling to think we get access to this level of content for free.
Tell us about it.
Even more mind-boggling, people who have ad-block are watching this content at the literal expense of B1M. It's infuriating.
Is your Internet bill free? Your phone contract free? Your electricity bill free? I pay for all of those to browse the Internet when I wish.
@@JakeobE Can you still make money from ads on RUclips to begin with?
Reminds me of how good discovery channel used to be
This was great to watch, it's such an iconic structure. It'd require a bit of a trip, but, a worthwhile and similar restoration job is the one currently ongoing to the Canadian Parliament on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
i wanted a watch so my dad let me ho ho.
although i'm not british by birth, i'm british by heart! I'm filled with joy seeing the Old BB getting the best treatment it deserves!!! Thank you for the superb video!
Finally staying up until 4AM is paying off
In my case it's getting up at 4 AM. Even without work LOL
4am... may well just sleep next night...
Dapper Wolf this was posted at 12PM in U.K. time. i live in California which is 8 hrs behind U.K. and would you look at that 4AM ;)
Oh my goodness it’s 4 am for me too
Simon Wilson thanks for your input
Obviously as someone from the UK, you see this on TV or in London and it just looks normal. But you don't really realize the detail and workmanship that went into constructing and maintaining it. It really is a work of art.
I've been keeping track of the restoration from across the pond. It's looking great, cheers from the USA!
I appreciate how little fluff there is to B1M videos - its pure education & entertainment
Honestly, I don’t know how you’re not on TV, like Netflix or NatGeo. What a great channel and fantastic videos! Thank you for all your hard work. It’s very much appreciated.
because TV is dead. RUclips is now the place to be
Why go on Netflix or National Geo, when you can have your own channel???
probably makes more money from this and has pure freedom of control over creativity
They should be on VHS and all
Cable Television used to have intellectual channels like this. But cable content creators soon realized these channels are way over the comprehension of the avg veiwer. So now we have dumbass shows like Britain has Talent and World Wrestling Federation to please the moronic masses.
This video gives out a whole new perspective in the restoration of this famous clocktower many of us online would have never seen before. The level of hand-detail of the structure from the glass panels in the face of the clock and the decorative stonework around the tower is truly mind-blowing and big respect and much applause to these workers!
Absolutely, the most wonderful video I have ever seen. I went through BB about 30 years ago what a magnificent structure. No wonder England is so proud of such a beautiful structure
I'm so happy I had the chance to visit the tower, such a masterpiece!
When you see the B1M and you immediately come in
I mean i did come
spunk
@@MrJustin2105 coomer
Cheers from across the pond.
I had no idea about the existence, duration and scope of this project but I'm glad to see our friends restoring a landmark known the world over.
Thanks from the UK 🇺🇸🇬🇧💪
Harley O’keefe from fiji!
Nice one. Start of a mega project restoring the whole palace, which will cost billions and take decades.
I remember a photo someone posted online depicting the tower in the background covered in scaffolding, with only the clock face visible. Now I know a complete restoration is in progress! As someone who has an obsession with vintage design, that's… absolutely beautiful!!
Spent just shy of a year living in London in 1998, loved hearing the bells every day. Honestly it was one of the things I most missed when I return to the states. I love Britain, I miss it deeply. In comparison to Gertrude Stein America is my country but London is my home.
Facist
I never expected to see Elizabeth Tower this close thanks to you guys.. Mind Blowing..
I live 20 mins walk from there. Probably visited the clock once. I might go and have another look oneday soon.
My friends dad had worked on big bens fixing process thing
I remember him talking about it last year..
The peel of the chimes takes me back to the BBC World Service. "This is London"
As a Londoner I look forward to seeing it fully restored! Its an excellent breakdown of what is happening, and why the project has the costs it does that not seen covered in many other publications. Great stuff!
I love seeing how they’re taking care to document everything and try to make any future work as easy as possible. I feel like a lot of restorations of the past that were “state of the art” for the time have now been seen as potentially damaging the original work, but documenting the work should at least make correcting any issues easier in the future.
No doubt future generations will disparage our work as being equally ham-fisted.
@Great Hun. Eh? Have you been on the Special Brew again?
Come on. This isn't like some really old historical clock tower. Nothing like for example 600+years old Prague's clock tower but 19th century "gothic" wannabe.
@@boutek Still, this is London's landmark. Even more recognized than Westminster Palace (due to, you know, typical political shenanigans).
Big Ben is the most iconic buildings that London is very proud of. And will be iconic for thousands of years to come.
21st century makeover, it is now the Emirates Clock Tower.
LOL....OR WORST.
Love how you are really getting involved with the filming.
Makes one proud to be British. (I'm not. But I greatly admire the country.)
Is it the first time we see the face behind that voice in this channel?
@@changyang1230 no he's shown his face in a couple of videos
Last summer was the first time I’d been back to England since I was a baby, and what happens when I go to Big Ben? It’s covered by scaffolding.... figures 😂
Metal In Your Head you know it’s comin of on 2021
@@daffyducklovestowooohoo4255 good thing everyone has the finances to go to London whenever they want
It's not much of a sight anyway with or without scaffolding
So basically you’ve never seen it lol
I miss London! Hope to visit London soon after the pandemic
*5:23** He Tries To Feel The Texture While Having Gloves On.🤣👏🏻*
He was trying to touch it not feel it
You can feel through gloves...
Guessing not allowed to touch the face un gloved
Yes you not allowed
For 15 years I drove from Hampshire to the East End of London every working day, I would always try to hit Parliament square at 6am to hear Big Ben, awesome video
Bit sad that fella.
@@coreywilliams1454 knock it down? is it a racist building?
@@Nothingmajor777 What? How does me saying he is a bit of a sad loser mean I would Big Ben knocked down?
@@coreywilliams1454 its not really sad but ok
The original stone used was actually sourced from up in Yorkshire, in my town actually. From a quarry on The Chevin in a place called Otley.
This channel is such a gem. Thanks for all the work you do to bring us these truly insightful and entertaining videos!
I never really understood how much of a beauty the Big Ben tower was until the upclose of this video
This made me emotional for no discernible reason
yes!! i felt a bit weird getting a bit choked up, especially the sort of coda (?) expressed at the end.
LOL you ppl are so gay
get a grip of yourself man!
Of course there's a reason.
@@brahimkherb5973
I went on my first trip to London two years ago and was excited to see big ben...only to see it covered in scaffolding. My heart sank!!!!! The trip was incredible, 70 degree sunny weather in London how lucky is that! I will def visit London again, it was incredible, but only after Big Ben is back lol.
That was a once in a lifetime event.
grim reaper no
The quality of these videos is amazing literally like watching a documentary on tv programme!!
This video was great!! What a beautiful piece of architecture this tower is. I never knew the detailing was so intricate & beautiful with colour. May it stand for many more years.
I never knew how drastic the changes would be on this beautiful landmark! Can't wait to see it finished!
I can finally understand what is going on with Big Ben. Seeing it hidden during my visit in November was a bit disappointing. Great work!
I've been following the channel since very close to its inception, and this is one of your best videos so far. Keep it up!
Any chance you can do a video on the security at the bottom, like how the gates, alarms, cameras etc all work? Would be very interested to know about this
pahahaha that be a class video mate 😉
Never expected you here Ally XD
😂 worth the go mate
Security round the clock mate ;)
you wouldn’t get in
I have said it before, and after this post, I will likely say it again. Another great message supporting the great things the British building industry does. Well done B1M keep up the good work. The message will be understood.
The notes from the previous generations must have been an amazing find.
Yes. Tampa Theater built in 1926 I had the pleasure of remodeling. 9 million dollars in paint for a thousand square foot area. It was truly a blessing to be involved in that project, and seeing the signatures of the people that played the organ in 1930 and 1935 and 1940 and artists that had been there was incredible.
Amazing! I hope to visit London one day, and get to see this in person. So much history is held within this tower. Thanks for sharing.
This channel never fails to delight and inform. One of my favorite channels. Keep up the great work Fred
One of my dreamlist to travel and see the Big Ben in London. Its honourable for the viewers to see this privillages videos. Tq @B1M for your hardwork to makes all your viewer stay up to date with newest construction news and updates.🥰
I can't wait to be able to hear Big Ben strike again across London. It is extremely weird walking down the road and not being able to hear it.
It's quite emotional seeing Big Ben for the first time. It is one of the world's most iconic structures.
I thought they were just doing maintenance. This is amazing! I’m excited to see it when it’s all complete!
Just imagine what's involved in the multi-billion pound renovation of the Palace of Westminster.
This project is so important not just for the British but internationally. It's like our Opera house in Australia. Really impressed with the works. Looks like ground breaking work for the Westminiter Palace as well.
Would love to Visit the Opera House, in fact id love to visit Australia, its been this POM's wish since a child and i still haven't managed to do it.
Great Hun. ?
@@G0DKING ignore him, he's like that idiot in the comments ya know
2:30 Elevator?! Surely you mean a lift old chap.
Well the majority of our viewers are now in the US so we put down our tea, finished our scones, thanked the Queen for her garden party and went with elevator.
Hahahahhahah
@@TheB1M lmao! 🇺🇸👀🇺🇸
@@TheB1M Is preserving the British language not as important as its landmarks?
johnadamsisadrunk No. American English is the superior.
I love that have left messages of good luck tucked into the nooks and crannies and I hope the current craftsmen did the same. It really does look stunning now.
I really like this video! One thing I don't see mentioned is the crazy amount of detail and ornamentation that the clock and its faces have, details that you can really only see when you're standing next to it! A truly once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm glad you shared with everyone!
Such an incredible project on and iconic and historic structure. Everyone that's placed their hands on that building in the past few years, should be proud that they've had a part and such an impressive restoration. From across the pond I can't wait to see the finished result. The bit about the notes tucked in the walls is so incredible. I've been lucky enough to hold 130 year old blueprints the word hand drawn and been involved in a restoration on a structure not quite as large but with every bit as much detail. Holding those hand-drawn blueprints changed the way I understood construction forever. Be safe on those decks!
Just like the original builders couldn't imagine the technology we have to perform this restoration, imagine another restoration in 150 years, using technology that we today could not even fathom today. Let's hope all contingencies are used to store and secure all this work. Even digital records could be lost to events we can not see in the distant future, just like prints were lost from the past. Just some interesting thoughts. ...
The fact that they left notes wishing future workers the best, tells me they knew they were part of something special.
This is truly a National Geographic level documentary. Very high quality. Keep up the good work!
Beautiful work. I was confused by the colors until It was shown that was the original design. Wonderful how to point they are bringing Big Ben back to life!
I went to London in June 2019 and was a bit disappointed to see some of parliament and Elizabeth tower covered in the scaffolding but it gives me a reason to go back to that wonderful and vibrant city ❤️❤️❤️
I love this as I'm someone with a interest in conservation architecture as well as all the classical orders of architecture and the incredible engineering behind the edifice.
No one cares.
@@zionsky7761 what is wrong with being a advocate of heritage architecture especially buildings in the style of the Palace of Westminster as the building incorporated traditional materials but also used the latest technology of the time.
I went to London for a holiday in 2018 and I booked a room with a view of the Big Ben. When I looked out the window I didn't recognize the Big Ben because it was covered in scaffolding.
Renovate your browser for better results
@@Ron.S. 😂🤣🤣😂😂🤣🤣😂😂 noooo 🤣😂🤣🤣
Internet Explorer lol
We need google chrome. Where are you?!?!?!?!
F
Me who has lived in London during this restoration and not even noticed it 👀😂
How?
How?
How have you not noticed the scaffolding
@@DarwinskiYT because only the tourists visit the landmarks
Any thing past zone 1 and half of zone 2 is not London babe
What a wonderful video. I've watched it twice. Thank you so much for bringing this video to light. Thank you
2 things:
the way he touches/rubs the clock 😂
And I'd like to have seen the notes from the previous workers
I had a tour of the Tower for my 11th birthday (2012) and stood in the Belfry on the stroke of noon. Amazing experience.
I just went to a trampoline park :£
I was only turning 8 in 2012. I am almost 16 now.
It is so greatly sophisticated and marvelous in its setting and being restored to its original state, Big Band maintains its prominence ever. Being under it, as well as in the West Minster Abbey, and other iconic structures (1992), I keep fond memories and feel proud of the experiences there makes me stand out although it was longtime ago. Great experiences!!
I wish everyone could look at this amazing structure and realize how blessed we really are.
God Bless
Easily one of the best channels on YT. Great to travel vicariously through these vids while on lockdown, Thank you!
genuinely a fascinating video. Makes you appreciate the work that has been done on Elizabeth Tower and better understand to what detail the restoration has taken place.
We saw the Tower in 2016, again with the scaffolding in place in 2018, & was suppose to be there this fall. Due to the COVID-19, we will be returning next year & cannot wait to see the restoration!! Thank you for the video which explained so well what is being done!
The ultimate symbol of Britain. Good work. Thanks.
I'm asian and loves world's heritage landmarks, it has a long history. So thank you for keeping it for the generation.
that's freakn amazing and beautiful how Europe cares to look after it's historical buildings
Ik we do look after the old buildings as they look so beautiful😍
L0rdCROISSANT she’s so perfect
I done the Big Ben tour in 2013 and it was well with it. To stand behind the clock face and be there when it strikes 12 o'clock was worth the three month wait for the tour. I loved climbing the 300 steps to the top.
Just a beautiful iconic structure forever. I love that tower !! And wowzers wow Fred the host narrator is soooo dreamy gorgeous ❤️❤️❤️
When they’re finished, I wonder if they would service my grandfather’s pocket watch.
I am a simple man.
I see B1M.
I press like.
f142007 your a simp
@@OrdinaryJoe12 😭🤣
Another great video. It is going to be a gorgeous update once it is done. Hopefully I will get a chance to see it when it is complete. Love and respect from NJ in the U.S.A.
fascinating film , i will appreciate all the hard work that has gone into the restoration when i see the finished product in future . also hats off to the plan to document every possible detail of todays restoration so that future restoration experts will better understand what was done today , how and why , just amazing
“21st century makeover” they’re gonna replace the clock face with a giant digital clock
Good grief!!!
_when you realise that was on the _*_simpsons_*
No way 😲
No way, Old Boy! 🕛🔔🔔🔔🕛
Will they also have a electronic chime for the bell sound? 😳
Absolutely beautiful! A true work of art that all of humanity can be proud of. Thank you so much United Kingdom!
It’s looking beautiful, well done to everyone involved in the restoration project. Can’t wait for it to be unveiled 😊
I love the new irl videos, you’ve really upped the quality of these videos, well done
Thank you for mentioning the gilders. It's a craft close to my heart & certainly a prominent part of this restoration!
Amazing. One of your best so far. The shot of you standing on the scaffolding and ten panning up to the clock face gave me chills.
Thank you for this.
Never have I seen dedication to one of the worlds most beautiful icons. What a beautiful monument. God love her
ive heard of this restoration from a few years ago and me wacthing this video is amazing to see such detail and some history.
Had the opportunity to visit London and see the Big Ben once only to find it covered in scaffoldings. Glad its close to reopening. Quality video making by the way.
The B1M is my favourite channel on RUclips. Thank you for keeping me entertained during lockdown!
Great video. As someone who will likely never visit London I really appreciate this up close look.
I had a tour up there a few years ago just before the works started. Fantastic experience. Amazing building
I loved how they still used penny weights to fine tune the clock pendulum to keep the time accurate through the seasons.
Great video. Possibly your best yet. Very informative and we were able to get up close shots showing the beauty of the tower. The intricate detail and craftsmanship. I had no idea it was so colorful. Thank you.
She’s truly a beautiful tower
It’s a ‘he’ 😉
1 Step Ahead “Elizabeth tower”
The bell is a He
The tower itself is a She
SGT Bigboi “Big Ben”
It's "IT" 🙄
I’m a professional drummer and percussionist from the USA and avid British history junkie. So I was curious and did some math. Since it’s opening day in 1859 until today, 26th of October 2021, the Big Ben bell instrument alone has chimed 9,167,340 times. This does not include the various brief stoppages such as the two years during WWI and the current restoration. So I’d conservatively put that figure somewhere around 9,000,000 strikes of the hammer mallet on the Big Ben instrument! Also, the hammer mallet has continuously struck the same small contact area of its surface for almost its entire existence but the ablation wear depth has only been about 2-3mm. It is slightly cracked but those Victorians really built quality stuff to last. Or more accurately, The Whitechapel Bell Foundry who cast it.
It’s astonishing. Peace!
I love how a lot of landmarks in this world are being restored to their original appearance.
Wait till you see the Pyramids! lol
@Tyler1915 Oh! Tell me about it!