Bell ringing times

The sound of Bow Bells can be heard every 15 minutes as the clock strikes the quarters of the hour. A toll is heard before daily services and the Angelus is rung morning and evening, as is a seasonal hymn. All this chiming is done automatically.

Change ringing (where each of the 12 bells swings through 360 degrees and is rung by an individual person) happens on feast days and other special occasions such as City events or weddings. At other times, many bands of experienced ringers from around the country come to practise on this large and famous ring of bells. A sound control system keeps the volume of practice peals to a very low level, while peals for special occasions ring out across the Square Mile and far beyond.

The schedule below is regularly updated. For further information please contact the Steeplkeeper, Simon Meyer.

*open ringing †half-muffled ringing

February

3rd 18.30 - 19.30 Practice: University of London Society
10th 17.30 - 21.00 Peal attempt: Society of Royal Cumberland Youths
13th 17.30 - 21.00 Peal attempt: Ancient Society of College Youths
18th 11.30 - 12.30 Ringing: The Bath Ringers

March
6th 18.30 - 20.00 Practice: Ancient Society of College Youths
19th 17.30 - 21.00 Peal attempt: Ancient Society of College Youths
28th 18.30 - 20.00 Practice: Society of Royal Cumberland Youths
31st 14.00 - 17.30 Peal attempt: the Middlesex Association

April
1st 08.30 - 12.00 Peal Attempt: Ancient Society of College Youths
1st 13.30 - 17.00 Peal Attempt: Ancient Society of College Youths
10th 18.30 - 20.00 Practice: Ancient Society of College Youths
16th 17.30 - 21.00 Peal attempt: Ancient Society of College Youths
28th 13.30 start - Ringing for the Marriage of Alex & Lizzie*
29th 12.00 start - Ringing for the Marriage of Oliver & Chloe*

May
21st 17.30 - 21.00 Peal attempt: Ancient Society of College Youths
22nd 18.30 - 20.00 Practice: Ancient Society of College Youths
26th 15.00 start - Ringing for the Marriage of Tom & Rachael*
27th 13.00 - 16.30 Peal attempt: Ely Diocesan Association

June
3rd 15.00 - 18.30 Peal attempt: Diamond Jubilee (ASCY)*
5th time tbc Peal attempt: Diamond Jubilee (ASCY)*
9th 14.30 start - Ringing for the Marriage of Justine & Sophie*
18th 17.30 - 21.00 Peal attempt: Ancient Society of College Youths
27th 18.30 - 20.00 Practice: Society of Royal Cumberland Youths

July
3rd 18.30 - 20.00 Practice: Ancient Society of College Youths

August
5th 10.30 - 14.00 Peal attempt: Women's Marathon (York Minster)*
12th 10.30 - 14.00 Peal attempt: Men's Marathon (ASCY)*

September
9th 10.30 - 14.00 Peal attempt: Paralypics Marathon (band tbc)*
11th 18.30 - 20.00 Practice: Ancient Society of College Youths

October
13th 10.00 - 13.30 Peal attempt: Ancient Society of College Youths
16th 18.30 - 20.00 Practice: Ancient Society of College Youths

November
3rd 10.00 - 13.30 Peal attempt: Ancient Society of College Youths
13th 18.30 - 20.00 Practice: Ancient Society of College Youths

December
18th 18.30 - 20.00 Practice: Ancient Society of College Youths