St Thomas a' Becket Church, Cliffe
St Thomas a Becket Church, Cliffe High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2AW
It is rare for parish churches to be able to offer safe guided tours up their tower to see an ancient clock and an even more ancient oak bellframe and bells, but St Thomas à Becket Church, Lewes, is doing so as part of the Heritage Open Days. There is also an introductory talk about the Grade II* Listed church itself, probably founded as a chapel soon after the martyr’s death in 1170, with a 14th-century nave arcade and 15th-century tower.
This is only the second year of guided tours up the tower, part of the church’s outreach into the Lewes community and to support the improvement work funded by local people and corporate donors including the Friends of Lewes, the Town Council, the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, South Downs National Park, the Rugby Group, and the Ian Askew Trust The tour provides an introduction to the church interior and a climb up the 42 steep steps of the spiral stair to the clock room where visitors will see the clock made in 1670 by Ditchling blacksmith James Looker. You will see (and hear!) how it strikes twelve noon on our tenor bell cast by Thomas Giles in Lewes in 1616. This is the clock that is wound daily by our dedicated team of 12 volunteer clock-winders.
Then we climb another 15 steps to the Belfry to see all four bells, the earliest dating from 1566. Also remarkable is the ‘lovely and very special’ massive oak frame that supports the bells, the core of which dates to the 1400s, probably installed when the tower was first completed.
Timings & Tours
- Friday 13 September:
- 11.30 to 12.15
- Saturday 14 September:
- 11.30 to 12.15
Location & directions
St Thomas a Becket Church, Cliffe High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2AW
- Directions:
- St Thomas a Becket church is situated at the eastern end of Cliffe High Street, adjacent to a small public car park.
- Contact on day:
- Peter Varlow
- Telephone number:
- +441273483560
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Proof of booking must be produced at church. Children age 8 and above only with all under 16s accompanied by an adult. No public toilets, no dogs.42 narrow stone steps, steep and uneven, up narrow spiral staircase to Clock Room, further 15 to Belfry. No seats. Tower roof not included. Photography welcome.
- Booking contact name:
- Peter Varlow
- Booking telephone number:
- +447971497011
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
- Booking website:
- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/st-thomas-a-becket-church-tickets-964895948757
- Booking opens:
- 23 Aug 2024 01:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 13 Sep 2024 01:00 AM
Accessibility details
Before you book, ask yourself “Am I fit and well to go up the stairs”. Do not take anything up the tower. Leave bags at foot of the stair so both hands are free to grip newel rope in one hand and handrail in the other. No smoking, vaping, naked lights, ignition materials or combustibles. Be aware of trip hazards and low doorways. Wear stout shoes (not big boots, the steps are small). Rubber-soled shoes are best; no hobnailed boots that might damage stonework. No loose clothing unless tucked in, long coats/dresses/scarves etc. Clothes will make contact with dusty walls. Handrail is bare steel:
Additional information
Children welcome, under 16s free, min age 8, under 16s accompanied by an adult. No public toilets, no dogs. 42 narrow stone steps, steep and uneven, up narrow spiral staircase to Clock Room, further 15 to Belfry. No seats. Tower roof not included. Wearing gloves recommended if Covid-vulnerable. Photography welcome.
- Max no of people per tour:
- 10
- Est. tour duration:
- 0 hour(s) 45 minute(s)
