Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral has a ring of ten bells, with the tenor (the heaviest bell) weighing 28-0-6 (28cwt, 0qt, 6lbs) (or 1.4 tonnes). The Durham Cathedral Guild of Bell Ringers is the group responsible for ringing the bells for services and special occasions.

The bells are hung at the top of the central tower. This wasn't the case until 1693, when Christopher Hodson recast the original mixture of bells (hung in the north-west tower) into a ring of eight bells. Hodson went on to cast a ring of bells for St Oswald's church a year later. There were 8 bells until 1980 however the installation had deteriorated and the bells were not rung extensively. The bells were rehung in a new frame in 1980 and two more were added to augment the ring to ten in the key of 'D'.

Click here to download a brief history of the Cathedral's bells (PDF).

Click here to download a short clip of Bristol Royal being rung as part of the D&N 10 and 12 bell quarter peal weekend 2017 (1.5MB).

Email: cathedral@durhambellringers.org.uk (Ellen Crabtree - Guild Secretary)

Ringing Times

Practices are held on the first, thrid and fifth Thursdays of the month. We ring for Matins every Sunday and for some evensong services.

Our latest ringing schedule can be found by clicking here.

Click here to view peals and quarter peals rung at Durham Cathedral.

Safeguarding

Durham Cathedral Guild of Bell Ringers prides itself on being welcoming to all ringers and is committed to ensuring a safe and caring environment for young people and vulnerable adults. Click here to view our safeguarding policy.

(Photo Courtesy of Jed We)