You do not have to be a ringer to visit the St Mary Abbots tower and see the bells being rung. Visitors are welcome to join us on Sunday mornings when we ring from 8.45 to 9.30 and on Thursday evenings when we practice from 7.30 to 9.15. The tower is on the North side of the Church,

When you visit, please be aware that ringing is more difficult than experienced ringers make it look. It requires concentration to ring well, and indeed distracting someone who is ringing can be positively dangerous, since there is a very heavy bell on the other end of that flying rope. We therefore observe some simple rules in the bell tower, to ensure both safety and good ringing:
 

• Never go further up the tower than the ringing room (where the ringers stand) without one of the ringers to guide you.
• Stand well back from anyone who is ringing to avoid becoming entangled in the ropes.
• Whilst ringing is going on, avoid talking, moving around or making a lot of noise.
• Do not take photographs using a flash, as this can be distracting.

If ringing is going on when you arrive, do feel free to slip into the ringing room and sit down on a nearby bench to watch. We will say hello properly when we've finished ringing!

Perhaps you've wondered about learning to ring yourself. If so, please get in touch. We'd love to recruit some new ringers.