22 Aug 2023
Have you climbed the Clock Tower recently? You may be in for a welcome surprise…
The Clock Tower is undoubtedly a landmark symbol of St Albans. A medieval treasure unique in England. St Albans City Tour Guides have the pleasure of describing it to visitors from ground upwards during their guided walks but also from roof downwards on Saturday mornings, when they tell visitors to the rooftop about the story of the tower and the panoramic view.
From glimpses of Roman Verulamium to an eye level view of top of the Cathedral tower or a bird’s eye view of the higgledy-piggledy rooftops of the Tudor inns and buildings of the Market Place.
Visitors were originally able to work out their bearings and identify significant features from a table type ‘toposcope’ up on the roof. This has not stood the test of time, but now the Tour Guides Association is delighted to announce that clear, informative signage has been installed to enhance visitors’ experience.
The new signage was officially unveiled by the Mayor and patron of the Tour Guides Association, Cllr Anthony Rowlands and chairman of the St Albans Tour Guides, Terry Turner.
They were joined by teams from St Albans Museum + Gallery and the Clock Tower itself, on the roof of the tower for a special ceremony last Friday.
The Mayor said: “The Clock Tower is one of our most loved and instantly recognisable landmarks as well as a great visitor attraction. I was very impressed by the new signage and thank the Tour Guides for providing it.
“It will help explain the fascinating history and importance of the tower to all who climb to the top to take in the panoramic views.”
One of his major themes in his mayoral year is recognising the work done by so many local community organisations to promote the history of the city, particularly as an ex-history teacher himself, and he thanked all the associated groups for providing these services to local residents and visitors to the city.
This new signage, funded by the City of St Albans Tour Guides, is a collaboration between the Tour Guides, the Clockateers, St Albans Museums and the district council. It has been produced by local graphic designer, Roy Bellamy, working with Terry Turner and Clockateers chairman, Robert Osborne. It features photographs taken by local photographer Ricky Barnett.
Each year any surplus funds from ticket sales are donated to local good causes or charities. In recent years donations have been made to the Highfield Park Trust, the Harpenden Trust, the Redbourn Community Group and the Museum + Gallery.
As well as providing the new signage, St Albans Tour Guides continue to bring local history to life on guided tours – both public and private – from just £6 per person. All the guides are fully trained and qualified as Blue or Green Badge Guides with the Institute of Tourist Guiding.
For more information about walks and talks from the St Albans Tour Guides, and to book, visit www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk
The Clock Tower is open 10.30am – 5pm every weekend and bank holiday Monday until Sunday October 1. Entry is £2 for adults. For more information visit www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/visit/clock-tower
