For the first time in five years, Big Ben chimed again as restoration work on the Elizabeth Tower moved closer to completion.

The bells in the tower struck at 11am on Friday, November 11 as the nation fell quiet to mark Armistice Day and begin the weekend of Remembrance Services.

Back in 2017 the tower, along with the bells, took a break as officials carried out an £80 million restoration project that saw the bells not ring for an extended time.

The bells did ring during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II which marked a historic occasion for the landmark.

News Shopper: Work being carried out on the Elizabeth Tower.Work being carried out on the Elizabeth Tower. (Image: Canva)

But Friday, saw the bells within the tower ring 11 times as they marked their first Remembrance performance since restoration began.

The chimes declared that it was the start of Remembrance events, with Saturday, November 12 marking the start of the Festival of Remembrance.

The bells will also ring again on Sunday, November 13, Remembrance Sunday at 11am for another 11 times, to mark the start of the two-minute silence.


READ MORE: Big Ben reveals £80 million makeover


Plus, once the silence has ended, the clock will revert to pre-2017 services, meaning Big Ben will chime every hour whilst fellow bells in the tower will ring every 15 minutes.

Although the bells will ring again, the Elizabeth Tower will not be open to visitors yet as some work is still in need of completion.