In honor of its 150th birthday, celebrated today, Big Ben is undergoing a spring cleaning.

Maintenance of the London timepiece involves winding it three times a week and keeping it oiled.

The bell was cast in April 1858 and was first rung in the clock tower May 31, 1859.

As readers know, the chimes of Britain’s favorite monument are featured in Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway.

Watch the news video of the noteworthy birthday.