Local towers

There are three rings of bells in central Guildford: Holy Trinity (8 bells, 23-3-8), St. Mary's (6 bells, 15-0-21) and St. Nicolas' (10 bells, 22-1-10).  Guildford Cathedral is at the top of Stag Hill next to the University (yes, those annoying bells that wake you up on a Sunday morning!).  The Cathedral has a ring of twelve bells (30-1-10).  We are in the Guildford district, which is quite an active district where you should be able to find lots of other keen ringers!

Guildford Cathedral 12 bells 30-1-10 SU985501 (map) Practice night: Tuesday 2000 - 2130 (see this link for more info about the Cathedral)

Holy Trinity 8 bells 23-3-8 SU999495 (map) Practice night: Wednesday 2000 - 2130

This was the temporary Cathedral of the Guildford Diocese from 1927 until the new building on the Stag Hill was consecrated in 1961.

St. Mary's 6 bells 15-0-21 SU996493 (map)

Lots of quarter-peals are rung here!  It was the leading quarter peal tower in 2000.  The tower is the oldest building in Guildford dating from 1050.  To enter the ringing chamber, you have to walk through the loft on an earthen floor and clamber through wooden beams from the spiral staircase.  1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 were cast by Lester & Pack in 1754 the 5 having been recast by Whitechapel in 1951.  These bells are hard to strike well, particularly the 6.  You'll probably like them for their eccentricities.

St. Nicolas' 10 bells 22-1-10 SU998495 (map) Practice night: by arrangement.  Practices coming up are on these dates (2000 - 2130):

5 Jan ; 2 Feb ; 2 & 30 Mar 2009

Stoke-next-Guildford (S John-the-Evangelist) 6 bells 7-0-14 SU997507 (map)

An easy going ring of six within one mile north of Guildford.  Members of the society tend to ring here a lot because the tower is normally easily available for peals and quarters.

Last updated: 19-08-2008