Abberley’s Amazing Clock Tower Surrounded by a Forest.
The Abberley Clock Tower is part of Abberley Hall School and is located within their private grounds and only open on special occasions. However, there are many excellent viewing points outside of the school grounds. Locals have named it Little Ben due to its resemblance to London’s iconic tower and clock – Big Ben.
It was built for John Joseph Esq, as part of the Abberley Hall Estate and was originally designed by James Piers St Aubyn in 1882 and built by Patman and Fotheringham during 1883 under the guidance of Master Mason George Long. It was completed the following year and is said to have cost £7980.
The clock was made and installed by J.B. Joyce of Whitchurch in Shropshire. The company was originally established in 1690 and still maintain it on a regular basis thus making it one of the oldest surviving businesses in Britain.
The tower is 161ft (49m) high and because of the elevation of the forested hill it appears to be considerably taller – as can be seen from the photograph at the top of page. Close up it becomes very tempting to think of it as Little Ben. There are three general rooms above which is the sewing room. There were originally two flushable toilets however these are no longer used. The top of Abberley Tower houses a 16 bell carillon said to weigh approximately 21 tons.
The tower was never meant for long-term human habitation but was occupied during WWII as Home Guard Observation post for enemy aircraft targeting to the city of Birmingham. It was also featured in a children’s ghost story by Gene kemp.
ADDRESS & CONTACT
Abberly Hall School
A443, Abberley, Worcestershire, England, United kingdom – WR6 6DD
POSTCODES
Sat Nav Postcode: WR6 6DD
Sat Nav Postcode Parking: WR6 6DD
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