Event, the experience design agency, is celebrating the opening of the Elizabeth Tower tour at the Palace of Westminster. The new exhibition spaces were officially revealed by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, on 4 September.
The tour, designed by Event, consists of four new spaces which provide an insight into the political, cultural and social significance of the Elizabeth Tower. This experience also offers visitors the opportunity to take a close look at the famous clock’s mechanism and bells, including Big Ben.
The Elizabeth Tower conservation programme took place from 2017 to 2022 and is the most extensive restoration programme in the building’s history. The launch of these exhibition spaces marks the final stage in the public reopening.
Climbing the clock tower
Event has transformed the tower’s 334-step climb into a multisensory and engaging tour, which is led by an expert guide.
Visitors will learn about the clock tower’s fascinating history through famous and lesser-known tales from the building’s history. These narratives are interlaced, ranging from iconic appearances in popular culture to behind-the-scenes stories about the difficulty of constructing and maintaining the amazing construction. The tour also explores the building’s significance as a national symbol of resilience in times of difficulty.
The new exhibition spaces include a range of archival material, artefacts and models to support the tour guides’ storytelling. Event has designed these new features so that they can be customised to the needs of each tour group. Media, lighting and sound are all controlled by the tour guides.
As guests ascend the tower, the tour is designed to build excitement through rich storytelling. It concludes with a series of experiences which focus on the clock and bells – with guests reaching the top to stand next to Big Ben as it strikes the hour.
Rosie Wanek, senior designer at Event, comments: “We really wanted to create something where visitors have the opportunity to connect to the Elizabeth Tower story – wherever they are coming from – but also give them space to experience the clock and the building up close.”
Event’s project Oman Across Ages was recently shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival 2023 in the completed buildings, culture category. The firm will present the project to the judging panel at the World Architecture Festival in Singapore, taking place 29 November – 1 December.
Images ©UK Parliament/Maria Unger
