Tower Tours to begin at The Hub at St. Mary’s
The Tower of St. Mary’s in Lichfield’s historic Market Square is reopening to the public once again. Tours will begin from 25 June for adults and children aged 10 yrs plus. Visitors will climb the 144 steps, leading to the viewing platform at the base of the spire for stunning panoramic views of our beautiful Cityand the surrounding counties.
The Hub at St. Mary’s is delighted to announce that a £56,000 grant from HS2’s Community and Environment Fund (CEF) has enabled necessary repair work and renovation, ensuring that the tower is once again safe for public visits. The CEF has been created by HS2 to add benefit to communities along the route that are demonstrably disrupted by the construction of HS2.
Initially, three Tower Tours will be available on Saturdays at 10am, 12 noon and 2pm with this being extended to additional days through the summer.
As part of this 2 year, £85,000 project, the historic bells have also been refurbished and the project will see the establishment of a ‘Bell Ringing Learning Centre’. The bells will be rung on special occasions and will be using the very latest technology to ensure that local residents will not be able to hear the bells during practice sessions!
The Hub CEO, Louise Fleming says: ‘We are thrilled to welcome visitors back to tour the Tower and enjoy the spectacular views for the first time since 2017.
It’s very exciting to be able to hear the bells of St. Mary’s once again. This has been possible with the help and support of local bell ringing volunteers from the Lichfield and Walsall Archdeaconry Society of Change Ringers.’
The clock at St. Mary’s has already been restored and both locals and visitors are now enjoying the return of the once familiar sound of the Market Square clock striking.
Helen Wass, Head of Historic Environment at HS2 Ltd, said: ‘HS2’s wider historic environment programme is the largest in the UK and seeks to advance our understanding of the past, creating knowledge, engaging communities and leaving a lasting legacy. We are delighted that funding for the restoration of the Tower of St Mary’s has enabled the local community to celebrate their heritage, safely enjoy the magnificent views of Lichfield and for the facility to become a centre of excellence for bell-ringing.’
Extra funding to support this heritage project work has been very gratefully received from Swinfen Broun Charitable Trust, Lichfield Conduit Lands Trust, Lichfield City Council CIL Fund, The Pilgrim Trust and the UKSPF fund.
We recommend booking in advance via the Hub website but if we have space, you can book on the day at the Hub Coffee Shop.
Tickets and all other details visit thehubstmarys.co.uk
Find out about The Hub and all Hub events thehubstmarys.co.uk
