Clock Tower, St Albans

St Albans Clock Tower

The Clock Tower, St Albans, Hertfordshire, England is a tower constructed in the fifteenth century. The tower is located in the centre of the city near other medieval buildings. It believed to have been designed as a secular belfry, and as such is a rare survival in England. It has been claimed to be the only medieval town belfry in the country.[1]

It has been recognised as a grade I listed building by Historic England.[2]

Bells and clock

The Tower contains a large medieval bell and an eighteenth-century bell.[3][1]

When the Tower was built clocks were relatively rare in England, although St Albans Abbey had a famous astronomical clock designed by Richard of Wallingford. It may be that the Tower was not initially provided with a clock. There is evidence, however, that a clock existed in the Tower in 1485.[3] The present clock is nineteenth century.

Access

The building has been opened under the auspices of the Heritage Open Days scheme.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "St Albans Clock Tower: Heritage Open Days". 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  2. ↑ CLOCK TOWER. Historic England. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  3. 1 2 The Clock Tower, St Albans: its origin and history. St Albans and Hertfordshire Architectural and Archaeological Society

Media related to St Albans Clock Tower at Wikimedia Commons

Coordinates: 51°45′05″N 0°20′26″W / 51.75130°N 0.34053°W / 51.75130; -0.34053


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