Norman Tower Open Day
- Next Event
- 18th September 2:00pm
- Event Finishes
- 18th September 5:00pm
About this event
The Norman Tower Bell Ringers are sharing opening the Norman Tower for Heritage Open Days!
Enjoy a brief history of the Norman Tower, find out about the bells in the Tower and hear about the art of bellringing.
Visitors will be able to enjoy a brief history of the Norman Tower, find out information about the bells in the Tower and hear about the art of bellringing. This will include a demonstration of bellringing.
This event is free and part of Heritage Open Days 2025.
The site is accessed by three sets of steps. This includes a spiral staircase and the steps are worn and uneven. Sensible, flat shoes must be worn. Please note the visit does not include going to the top of the Tower. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult and this is not suitable for children under 8. No dogs are allowed.
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About the Venue
The Norman Tower, which was the principal gateway into Bury St Edmunds' great abbey church, houses a fine peal of twelve bells (with a thirteenth semitone bell) was built between 1120 and 1148 and is one of the oldest Norman buildings in England and one of the most complete Norman buildings in the UK as it has never been altered.
The original ten bells were cast by Thomas Osborn of Downham Market in 1785. The heaviest bell, the 'tenor', weighs just over 27 hundredweight and sounds a C# note.
In 1973 the bells were re-hung by Taylors of Loughborough in a cast iron frame lower down the tower, with their original wooden frame preserved higher up. In 2010 an appeal was launched to augment the bells to a cathedral ring of 12, and two new trebles (lighter bells) were dedicated on Easter Sunday 2012, then hung and rung for the first time on Easter Monday. In 2013, a 13th bell was added. This helps learner ringers, as there is a requirement to learn on 8 bells before progressing to higher numbers (10 and 12) - a ring of 10 bells contains within it only 1 true octave, that comprising the 8 heaviest bells, but the provision of a 13th (semitone) bell makes a lighter octave available in the ring of 12.
Approximately 175 full peals have been rung since records began in November 1879. The bells are rung on Sundays from 9.00 am for the 10 o'clock Eucharist, and quarter peals are regularly rung before Sunday evensong. The bells are also rung for weddings and other special occasions.
The tower is not open to the public. However it does open to the public for special events and the National Heritage Open Days event in September.
