Inside Big Ben, a London icon that's been ringing since 1859
It's among the world's most photographed landmarks, a symbol of the United Kingdom and an engineering marvel. And for London's Big Ben the most important night of the year is fast approaching.
It's among the world's most photographed landmarks, a symbol of the United Kingdom and an engineering marvel.
But London's Big Ben also has an important job to do as it rings in the new year.
Three expert technicians are employed full time to tend to the icon and about 300 mechanical clocks in the adjoining Palace of Westminster.
The ABC was granted access to the tower to see how they've been preparing for December 31.
"Everyone is looking to this clock, to Big Ben, to strike midnight and let us know when New Year's Day has started," says one of the clockmakers, Andrew Strangeway.
"The fireworks are timed to go off with the strike of Big Ben so we have to be on time.
"Last New Year's, in fact, we struck midnight within about five-thousandths of a second of time, which for a 166-year-old clock is pretty good."
Andrew Strangeway is one of three clockmakers employed at the Palace of Westminster. (ABC News: Adrian Wilson)
Mr Strangeway, 39, is the youngest of Big Ben's clockmakers. His two colleagues are in their 60s.
While the 11-storey, stone-clad tower is often referred to as Big Ben, Mr Strangeway points out it's actually the largest of the bells housed inside it, not the structure itself, that's been given that nickname.
The actual building is officially called Elizabeth Tower, named after the late Queen Elizabeth II during her 2012 Diamond Jubilee year.
Inside the tower, for technicians like Mr Strangeway, ear protection is a must when the bells go bong.
"It reaches somewhere in the region of 110-115 decibels when Big Ben strikes, so ear defenders are a must," he says as the 200-kilogram hammer pulls back to hit the bell.
You can feel the vibrations.
Mr Strangeway is a qualified mathematician who retrained as a clockmaker because he wanted a job where he could work with his hands.
The mechanism inside Elizabeth Tower dates to the 19th century. (ABC News: Adrian Wilson)
The clock mechanism inside the tower is intricate and pristine.
"It's the clock itself that is going to lift and drop the hammers that ring the bells on the quarters and on the hour, and because they're big bells you need you need a big clock," Mr Strangeway explains.
"The clock has been here since 1859, and it's really the same mechanism that has been here the entire time, so it's working in exactly the same way as it has for over 165 years.