A Unique Attraction – One of its kind….
The Bell Tower truly is a hallmark attraction as one of the most unique and iconic attractions in the world.
An outstanding landmark location linking the City and River, the Bell Tower is a unique attraction – a musical instrument of considerable historical and cultural significance with a dedication to become a world-centre of excellence in the art of English change ringing. The Bell Tower is a cultural icon with enduring authenticity, where bells and clocks from all over the world, from all through the ages, have been carefully restored, preserved, interpreted and are now celebrated by visitors daily.
There are few truly interactive attractions in our State – the Bell Tower is able to offer interaction with live historians and musicians who entertain, teach and engage the public in a totally unique experience – setting this attraction well apart as a GOLD MEDAL Major Attraction for Western Australian.
Take a tour of the Bells
This ring of bells is one of the most historic rings in the world, highly revered in English changeringing circles it is the only location in the world where a major set of changeringing bells – the only peal of 16 changeringing bells in Southern hemisphere!! – can be observed by the public whilst they are being rung ~ all in a safe, pleasant and truly unique setting.
Come enjoy a behind the scenes look at our bellringing chamber, where one of our expert bell ringers will give your group a brief history of the Bell Tower and the art of bell ringing – YOU might even get a chance to chime one of the famous bells!
Ringing Demonstrations Times
Watch Bellringers in action – General ringing demos:
Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00pm-1:00pm
Saturday and Sunday 12:00pm-1:00pm
Try your own hand – Interactive Demos:
Single bell:
Wednesday and Friday 11:30am-12:30pm
For the latest Bell ringing information:
Phone: 61+ (08) 9218 8183
Email: info@swanbells.com.au
Innovations
Audio Visual System
This building’s defining feature has recently been significantly added to with the installation of a state of the art audiovisual system that allows simultaneous viewing of the bells and ringers as well as delivering historical and venue specific DVD material for visitors. It also provides an unparalleled tool for the training of new ringers and the recording of bellringing at Swan Bells.
A state-of-the-art Audio Visual System has been installed throughout the Belltower building to significantly enhance the visitor experience, creating an interactive environment for people to engage with the bells and their history and gain a fuller understanding of the art of bellringing. The comprehensive system has introduced a whole new element to the Bell Tower experience, joining the belltower floors together and helping visitors understand the mechanisms they are learning about and connecting the floors with cameras and visuals between the bellringing chamber and the Belfry floor that houses the bells.
The system features eight standard screens and one large screen with two special speakers. One screen features in the entry foyer for arriving visitors, with three positioned around the Level 2 viewing platform floor, three positioned around the Level 4 Belfry platform and one large screen within the Level 1 Bellringing chamber to show bellringers and visitors in the demonstrations the bells in the Level 4 Belfry as they are ringing them.
Asian Bell Collection
The Bell Tower has recently acquired and displayed a rare collection of Asian Bells and is actively seeking cultural artefacts, including bells and clocks from other countries, to increase the breadth of its relevance to WA’s multicultural population and tourist base.
Turret Clock
A large late-Victorian turret clock, rescued from the famous demolished Grandstand at Royal Ascot Racecourse in the UK, has undergone a complete restoration as part of the Bell Tower collection – 2.5m long, 1m high and wide, an imposing display both inside and outside the tower. Made by Joyce of Whitchurch in 1896, the clock weighs over half a ton and strikes the Westminster (Big Ben) quarters on 4 bells and the hour on a bell weighing half a ton. Donated to the Bell Tower by Mr Mark Creasy, the clock was restored by Chris McKay and Derek Morrison and is now weight driven, and wound daily as a demonstration for visitors.
Library
A historically and academically significant collection of rare books and journals papers on church bells, change ringing, clocks and carillons been have been donated to create a specialist library. Within the over 1500 multi-lingual and varied editions, many items are extremely rare and valuable with a total value of around $50,000. This collection is the best library of ringing material outside of the Central Bellringers Council library in the UK and will be a significant attraction to visiting ringers. Custom-built wood and glass shelving is installed to house the highly valuable collection.
Spire lighting
Improvements to the spire lighting system, including new software, spectacularly light up the glass spire at night and shine on the copper sails. The spire lighting makes the Bell Tower an iconic vision for the city of Perth, illuminating in beautifully changing hues shining out over the river as a highlight on the Perth skyline. The lighting is a great enhancement that makes Swan Bells an original and stunning setting, perfect as the city’s tourism icon and combined with the unparalleled view from the Observation Deck at sunset, the ideal spot for corporate launches, weddings, and cocktail parties.
Click here for more info about hiring the Bell Tower for a function or
Click here to see more about hosting your wedding here at the Bell Tower.
Now successfully targeting the functions and weddings market as an additional business activity, establishing itself in this market place now that the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre has opened and providing an additional focus on the area.
Clocks, Bells, Sundials and a complete working set of Tubular bells are just some of the pieces in this historic collection
Its About Time is an exciting new collection for you to see at Swan Bells.
We have amassed a fascinating array of precision timepieces, bells and optical instruments that demonstrate how time was kept in the mechanical era before the 'world went digital'.
It's time you rediscovered the Bell Tower. Bring your family, bring your friends, bring your visitors to one of WA's most unique and visited tourist attractions, the Bell Tower.
Surroundings
Set amongst gardens restored with many elements of Barrack Square’s original 1938 ‘Paradise Garden’ plantings, Swan Bells is one of the few tourist attractions in the CBD.
The beautiful landscaped surroundings host ornamental ponds with nine fountains, providing the delightful sounds, life and atmosphere of running water, where visitors can wander amongst the public art and sculpture projects or relax on the green lawns under the lush shade of the many palms.
Its location adjacent to the city and on the shore of the Swan River provides the building with stunning views and, close proximity to a number of transport alternatives including the new Esplanade train station.
Where are all the school names in the tower?
Sign In 2000 – a community project of tiled paths that wind through the adjacent gardens, feature the signatures of school students from all around Western Australia allowing children to feel part of a community land-mark.
The school names are located outside the tower in the two Southern quadrants of Barrack Square
Sign In 2000 was part of the largest community project of this type ever undertaken in WA. School students from all around WA were invited to take part in Sign In 2000, offering them the opportunity to sign their names into history.
Ponds mosaics
What are the mosaics in the pond in front of the tower?
State Images – Ten stunning Mosaic Art Installations adorn the Belltower’s decorative ponds with beautifully colourful representations of regions across Western Australia. The mosaics were the subject of a State-wide competition with 400 artist community entries from the Gascoyne, Mid-West, Metro South-West, Pilbara, Peel, Great Southern, Goldfields, Kimberley and Wheatbelt are translated in mosaics in the Southern water feature
Wishing Well
It sits in the bell patterned centre court in, always a familiar favourite for tourists with funds used to support Perth Rotary Club’s charities. The forecourt area in front of the building houses modern formed, and well-used, wishing well, installed by Rotary.
The wishing well is set at the centre of brick work design of a large bell, with the bell’s clanger forming rivulets where the water overflows into the central pond. This wishing-well provides a regular income to aid Rotary’s community service. A large number of charities including Amnesty International, Diabetes Research, The Royal Flying Doctor, the Cancer Foundation and the Heart Foundation have used the building to launch appeals or for fund raising activities free of charge.
Can I learn to be a bell ringer?
Yes! Members of the St Martin's Society of Change Ringers, the resident ringing group at Swan Bells, train newcomers at the Bell Tower. Depending on trainer availability, they offer a free introduction to ringing, followed by an 8-week course on Sunday mornings. Interested people are welcome to contact the Tower Captain to determine if training is available.
Email:info@swanbells.com.au
An Architectural Icon
The distinctive and spectacular architecture of the Belltower has made it one of the most photographed buildings in Perth, cementing its iconic status as an identifier or Perth and Western Australia.
Receiving awards for architecture and building construction, including the AISC Western Australian 2002 Architectural Steel Design Award, its architectural panache has given Perth a strong contemporary image.
Its striking appearance allows it to be instantly identified by those who have seen it before, and draws the attention of those who have not. The Bell Tower now represents Perth throughout the world in the same way that the Opera House is a potent symbol of Sydney.
Bell Tower Newsletter
The Bell Tower publishes a monthly newsletter with up to date information on activities and special ringing, which is distributed to over 2,000 members.
Click here for online version of current newsletter
Click here to subscribe to the Bell Tower Newsletter
Be a Friend of the Bells – find out more!
What is the Friends of the Bells programme?
Become a Friend of the Bells! For just $2 extra on entry you can become a valued member – entitled to UNLIMITED FREE visits for a year, so you can hosts your friends and family when they visit Perth and a 10% discount on all our merchandise, Swan Bells e-Newsletter and updates on special events and exclusive offers only available to Friends of the Bells.
To find out more please contact us at :
Email:info@swanbells.com.au
