Taunton Minster Bells

Taunton Minster Bells The bells of Taunton Minster (St. Mary Magdalene) have been heard in Taunton since at least 1633 and a carillon since 1711.

The tower was built in the 15th and 16th centuries, financed by the prosperity created by the wool trade, and was rebuilt in 1858-62 (in replica) under the guidance of the architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. It is considered to be one of the best examples of a Somerset tower and at 163 feet (50 m) tall is a local landmark. On completion of the re-build, the donkey who had hauled all the stone up th

e tower was himself hoisted to the top from whence to survey his handiwork! Nowadays a Peregrine Falcon resides up its dizzy heights from which precipitous lodging he flies to catch his prey. The tower was described by Simon Jenkins, an acknowledged authority on English churches, as being “the noblest parish tower in England.”

The tower itself has 15 bells with a carillon which alsoi stikes the time. Thirteen bells are hung for ringing but there are two additional accidental (semitone) bells hung for chiming. The bells of St Mary's have been heard in Taunton since at least 1633 and a carillon since 1711. Over the years they have played an important part in the town's celebrations of significant national and local events. These have included victory celebrations at the end of World War 2 an, the welcome-home parade for the Marines of 40 Commando after their tour in Afghanistan and the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne. The current Bells were all cast together as one complete ring in 2016 and were installed at the end of 2016. The work done to remove the old ring and install the new one has been recorded on the page together with some of the fundrasing events that took place. More recent post inlcude some Key ringing events that have taken place. We look forward to marking the Queens 70th anniversary of her sccesion to the throne as well as marking the the Church being granted Minster staus in March 2022.

Thank you to our new friends at Spaxton for welcoming us to their practice 🔔🔔
16/06/2026

Thank you to our new friends at Spaxton for welcoming us to their practice 🔔🔔

Ringing for Ascension Service on the middle 6 bells. Ringing rounds and call changes, good, fun ringing.Thank you Oliv...
14/05/2026

Ringing for Ascension Service on the middle 6 bells. Ringing rounds and call changes, good, fun ringing.
Thank you Olivier for taking the picture.

All 12 bells up, after a visiting band the day before, giving us the opportunity to ring all 12 bells for Sunday ringing...
03/05/2026

All 12 bells up, after a visiting band the day before, giving us the opportunity to ring all 12 bells for Sunday ringing.
A great turnout of Minster ringers - call changes, rounds and Grandsire triples.

15/03/2026

Happy Mother’s Day

A great turnout. All the bells were up, thank you Wimborne Minster ringers, a visiting band who rang the day before and...
25/01/2026

A great turnout. All the bells were up, thank you Wimborne Minster ringers, a visiting band who rang the day before and kindly left the bells up for us.
We rang rounds, call changes and plain hunt. It was also a great opportunity to ring all 12 bells down in peal - which was really good. Enjoyable ringing today.

Fun ringing today, and great to welcome Helen back to Sunday Ringing 🔔🔔
18/01/2026

Fun ringing today, and great to welcome Helen back to Sunday Ringing 🔔🔔

At the Annual General Meeting of the Taunton Branch of the Bath &Wells DACR, held at St Andrew’s Church in Taunton last ...
17/01/2026

At the Annual General Meeting of the Taunton Branch of the Bath &Wells DACR, held at St Andrew’s Church in Taunton last week, three members of the same family, Angela Henderson, Jackie Henderson and Harry Thorne-Henderson all received the Association of Ringing Teachers’ (ART) highest level of achievement for students. Jackie, Angela and Harry received their Level 5 certificates.

Jackie, Angela and Harry have all rung over 40 quarter peals and look forward to ringing their 50th quarters this year, as well as some more peals. 18 of the quarters were rung to mark Harry’s 18th birthday.
Also a lovely mention in the local Somerset County Gazette and branch newsletter.
Well done and congratulations

Another reason to celebrate 😄Please welcome our 3 newest members, elected to the Bath and Wells Diocesan Association of ...
15/01/2026

Another reason to celebrate 😄
Please welcome our 3 newest members, elected to the Bath and Wells Diocesan Association of Change Ringers, this week.
L to R, Oscar, Matthew, Olivier 🔔🔔

Congratulations to Keith 👏 celebrating 40yrs membership of the Bath and Wells Diocesan Association of Change RIngers.
12/01/2026

Congratulations to Keith 👏 celebrating 40yrs membership of the Bath and Wells Diocesan Association of Change RIngers.

Sunday ringing on Dec 27th. Minor, Doubles, Call Changes and the opportunity to raise and lower in Peal on a Sunday wit...
29/12/2025

Sunday ringing on Dec 27th. Minor, Doubles, Call Changes and the opportunity to raise and lower in Peal on a Sunday with a steady band 😃

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Taunton Minster
Taunton

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