Bell Ringing in Berwick Town Hall

Berwick Town Hall, Marygate, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 1BN

Visit the Bell Tower in the Town Hall to find out about the history of Berwick's bells and have a go at ringing them yourself!

Click any image to enlarge it.

There has been a building on this site for many centuries connected with the Guild of Freemen. The present building, completed in the 1760s is listed and contains a bell tower with a ring of eight bells and a curfew bell. Most of the bells were originally cast at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. As part of the “Ringing in the Millennium Project”, the bells were restored and a new cast iron frame fitted tied into the structure of the tower. The work was completed on time and the bells rang in the millennium. The bells are rung on specific occasions, including the nightly curfew bell at 2000. This was originally rung to notify the inhabitants that the gates into the town were to be closed.

Event Times

Sunday 10 September: 1500-1700

Wednesday 13 September: 1500-1600

Sunday 17 September: 1500-1700


Booking Details

Pre-booking: Required

Suitable for children 10+ and adults. Bookings must be made for each person attending and via Eventbrite.

If you have difficulty doing this, contact Berwick Record Office on 01289 301865 or e-mail berwickarchives@northumberland.gov.uk

Booking Contact: Berwick Heritage Open Days

Go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/berwick-heritage-open-days-34043664105

Booking opens: 14 August 2023 09:00

Booking closes: 17 September 2023 16:00

Access

Meet at the side entrance to the building in the foyer. There is no lift and so there are some flights of stairs to climb to reach the bell tower.

Additional Information

Max 12 people per tour/session. Each tour lasts about 35 minutes There will be other activities in this building on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September including exhibitions, and access to the prison. (See other event listings) Go to our social media sites nearer the time for further updates.

During the Heritage Open Days period, you can listen to Berwick's bells on our website - https://berwickhods.org.uk/bell-ringing-in-town-hall/. 

Contact for the day: Berwick HODS Team - 07365 800503 www.berwickhods.org.uk

About the author 

Linda Bankier

Linda Bankier is the Berwick Archivist and has run the Berwick Record Office for many many years. She has over 30 years experience delving into the archives of Berwick and North Northumberland, researching the history of people and unearthing unusual stories and information about the area in the past.
Linda also enjoys encouraging people to use the archives to understand and celebrate our rich and unique heritage.

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