Keeping Burghley's Bells Ringing

Built in the 16th century, the clock tower at Burghley House forms a central feature of the East range of the house. Topped by a massive pyramidical obelisk, it is distinctive both when seen from outside the house and from the inner courtyard. For nearly 500 years, the bells within the tower have rung out on the hour and on the quarters to mark time for those in the House and across the surrounding Parkland.

Burghley’s House Director, Miranda Rock, who lives at Burghley with her family noted that the strike of the bells on the quarter hour had become dull and the sound had lost its usual resonance. Upon an internal inspection of the clock tower by Burghley’s Estate Maintenance team it was discovered that the framework and flooring supporting the bells had fallen into disrepair. Rotting to the oak bell frame and damage to the lead flooring had caused movement to the structure, resulting in the bells hanging at an angle and being unable to chime as they should.

Thanks to Gift Aid contributions from visitors, we have been able to commence repair and preservation works to the bell frame and clock tower. Working closely with heritage consultants, the Burghley team drew up plans to repair or replace the internal structures of the clock tower to ensure any damage is rectified and the structure preserved for the future.

With the clock tower standing at 111ft tall, a complex structure of scaffolding is required to allow the repair work to safely take place. With the scaffolding in place, the first task was to carefully remove the three bronze bells from the tower. With the tenor bell and two treble bells weighing 115 kilograms and 80 kilograms respectively, a custom rail system and electric winch was required to transfer the bells securely from the tower, via the scaffolding to ground level. The bells have been sent for restoration and conservation to the only remaining bell foundry in the UK, John Taylor & Co based in Loughborough. Here the three bells will be fully refurbished, with additional work being carried out on the tenor bell to replace the cast iron clapper inside, allowing it to be rung by hand on special occasions.

With the bells removed the Burghley team can carry out the detailed process of surveying and cataloguing the existing bell frame, clock tower flooring and internal support structures. Once this is complete, the bell frame will be carefully taken apart and removed from the tower. Each piece will be meticulously measured, itemised and templated before the Burghley Carpentry Team begin the task of replacing individual pieces with a like for like replacement crafted from oak sourced from the Burghley Estate.

Repair and conversation work will also take place to the lead flooring and oak joists inside the tower along with additional restoration and weather proofing to the external structure.

With the new bell frame in place and supporting structures restored, the refurbished bells will be rehung, and their dependable chime will once again sound out across the Estate.

The clock tower’s obelisk shape is symbolic of immortality and power and makes a statement, intended by the 1st Lord Burghley as relevant to the dynasty that he knew that he was founding. The clock face carries the arms of the Cecil family surrounded by the belt of the hugely prestigious Garter order that William Cecil was appointed to in 1571.

The original clock would have had a 16th century movement using a verge escapement which would have been very inaccurate, requiring frequent adjustment. It was replaced in 1778 with a more efficient mechanism made by the eminent horologist John Whitehurst of Derby. Since then, the three bells in the tower have provided an accurate measure of time for residents and visitors at Burghley.