St Albans Clock Tower
St Albans Clock Tower
St Albans Clock Tower
4.5
About
Completed by 1405, the Clock Tower is the only surviving medieval town belfry in England and is designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The tower with its fine bell has survived over 600 years of use. The Clock Tower was first and foremost a political statement. The townspeople used it to assert their freedom, power and wealth in the face of the premier Benedictine Abbey of England (now St Albans Cathedral). The Clock Tower is generally open from Easter (Good Friday) to the end of September, every Saturday and Sunday and Bank Holiday, between 10.30am and 5pm. Last admission 4.45pm. It is also sometimes open on other special occasions like Heritage Open Days (September), the Food & Drink 'Feastival' (September) and the Christmas Lights switch-on (November). Admission: Adults: £1. Children: free. Unfortunately the Clock Tower is not wheelchair or buggy accessible or for those who experience claustrophobia. The climb up to the top is via 93 very narrow and steep steps.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
358 reviews
Excellent
205
Very good
120
Average
29
Poor
2
Terrible
2
GRAHAMMMCFARLANE
Bedford, UK608 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
The Clock Tower is well worth a visit - you get a great view of the environs of St. Albans - the grandchildren loved it also.
Written 7 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roland J
8 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
Not for those with a nervous disposition! This wonderful clock tower is located in the heart of the beautiful City of St Albans and climbing to the top gives a splendid view of what is often called God's Own City. The old stone steps lead up very narrow stairways with lots of places to stop and enjoy the sites - half way up you can stop and admire the old bell end - and when you reach the top the views are majestic. I would not recommend this to fat people though as they may struggle for space and not be able to move very quickly (if at all). It is unlikely they would get stuck but they might fall and squash somebody and it would take them a long time to get down from the top which may delay them getting to the excellent nearby pie shop. All in all recommended but with aforementioned caution. When I visited there was a very knowledgable old person who knew all about the history and was happy to tell me in explicit detail how the tower was once the largest erection outside of London, which was fascinating although sadly I have forgotten most of what they told me because I had been in the nearby Boot public house all morning.
Written 22 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eddie M
St. Albans, UK737 contributions
Sept 2013 • Couples
This is a bargain for £1. You get one of the best views in St Albans. At the top of the tower you can look in all directions, you can spend plenty of time to look around and take plenty of photos. However if you are claustrophobic or suffer with vertigo this experience is not for you.
Written 30 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wolfboy27
St. Albans, UK96 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
Lived in St Albans for about 3 years before finally getting round to going up here.
It only takes about 10 mins to get up and down but the views from the top are great, especially on market day!
If you live in St Albans and haven't been up then do, just for a few mins of fun!
It only takes about 10 mins to get up and down but the views from the top are great, especially on market day!
If you live in St Albans and haven't been up then do, just for a few mins of fun!
Written 24 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
motmoody
london15 contributions
Aug 2012 • Family
You get a great view from the top although you need not to worry about stairs ,tight spaces or heights
Written 29 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debby K
Jerusalem, Israel307 contributions
Nov 2019
It's nice to see, but it is not the reason you should go to St Albans. You can see it since you are there, already, to see the wonderful Roman remains and the cathedral.
Written 26 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
therichastill
Stevenage, UK3,237 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
It's only £1 to climb to the top of the Clock Tower so go on! Why not go for it?
There's 93 steps to get to the top and it's quite a narrow staircase although there are passing points along the way.
When you get to the top you will enjoy the view of the whole of St Albans and the surrounding countryside. Well worth it.
When you get back down check out the gift shop with lots of reasonably priced gifts.
There's 93 steps to get to the top and it's quite a narrow staircase although there are passing points along the way.
When you get to the top you will enjoy the view of the whole of St Albans and the surrounding countryside. Well worth it.
When you get back down check out the gift shop with lots of reasonably priced gifts.
Written 27 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shane😁😁
Northamptonshire, UK14,687 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
When i was a teenager my friends and i used this clock tower as a meeting point for a night out as it was sandwiched in between 2 public houses.This fantastic grade 1 listed building is situated at the end of the High Street close to the market stalls.The last time i climbed up to the top,the views from above were spectacular and it cost something like 50 pence.Today this clock tower which is approaching 600 years old still works and is situated fairly close to the cathedral and its grounds too.
Written 2 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason D
St. Albans, UK13 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
So, it's a Clock Tower but this has some history attached and it's well worth the cardio challenge of getting to the top to have a look out over the skyline and take in the views. Narrow steps though so be careful.
The staff are knowledgeable and seem happy to share their knowledge with those interested enough to enquire.
We have lived in St. Albans for some time but had never visited the Clock Tower until my mum came to visit - well worth it we thought but have to say that the experience may well be more enjoyable on a nice day than a gloomy one.
The staff are knowledgeable and seem happy to share their knowledge with those interested enough to enquire.
We have lived in St. Albans for some time but had never visited the Clock Tower until my mum came to visit - well worth it we thought but have to say that the experience may well be more enjoyable on a nice day than a gloomy one.
Written 15 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sweetwinks
Somerset, UK27 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Narrow, spiral stairs led to a spectacular view. Pauses on landing on the way up offered opportunities to look at informative displays about the history of the tower.
Written 11 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Opening times/ days and entry price
Written 8 February 2015
Check the St Albans tourist website but from recollection this attraction is open weekends from Easter to September 1030am to 5pm with a few extra days like bank holidays and residents first weekend.The cost of entry this year was £1 for adults and children free. Hope that helps... Enjoy
Written 2 October 2015
What days and times it is open and cost of entry
Written 8 February 2015
The Clock Tower is open every Saturday and Sunday from Good Friday until the end of September. It is opened at 10:30 am and closes at 5pm. Cost of entry is £1 for adults and children are free
Written 24 March 2015
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