Chichester Cathedral’s bell tower is the only surviving medieval cathedral detached bell tower in the country, out of at least seven which previously existed.
It houses a ring of eight bells together with a fixed hour bell, and a clock which strikes on the bells.
The earliest reference to bells being rung at Chichester is in 1232 when there were a few bells in the central tower. The current Bell Tower was built around the year 1400 to house the bells and a clock in a more robust structure. The oldest of the existing bells date back to 1587, and the bells include the only remaining unaltered medieval minor five within the county. There are currently eight ringing bells in the tower varying in weight from about a quarter of a ton up to nearly a ton. There is also a fixed bell which the clock strikes the hour on, which weighs over three tons. The current bells are mounted in an impressive oak frame with dates back to 1731.
Access to the ringing chamber and belfry if via the entrance on the south face of the tower into the ground floor, and then a good climb up a spiral staircase.
The Cathedral has an active band of bell ringers, who practice on Wednesdays between 7.00pm and 9.00pm and ring on Sundays between 9.30am and 10.15am, prior to the service. The bells are also rung for weddings and other special occasions.
Become a Bell Ringer!
Have you considered bellringing? It’s good fun, challenging, and great exercise for the mind and body, as well as being a fantastic way to make new friends.
We’re always keen to recruit new ringers so if you’d like to give it a go, are free on Wednesday evenings and reasonably fit, then we’d love to hear from you.
For more details on how to join, or just come along to see if you’d like to get involved, then please contact the Cathedral's Bell Tower Captain at: bellringers@chichestercathedral.org.uk