St Thomas a' Becket Church, Cliffe
St Thomas a Becket Church, Cliffe High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2AW
It is rare for parish churches to be able to offer safe guided tours up their tower to see an ancient clock and an even more ancient oak bellframe and bells, but St Thomas à Becket Church, Lewes, is doing so as part of the Heritage Open Days. There is also an introductory talk about the Grade II* Listed church interior, founded as a chapel and becoming a church probably after the martyr’s death in 1170, with a 14th-century nave arcade and 15th-century tower.
After the introductory talk the 42 steep steps of the spiral stair take visitors to the clock room to view the clock made in 1670 by Ditchling blacksmith James Looker. It is the second-oldest in Sussex and certainly the most complete. You will see (and hear!) how it strikes twelve noon on our tenor bell cast by Thomas Giles in Lewes in 1616. The clock is wound daily by our dedicated team of 12 volunteer clock-winders – and it keeps good time!
15 further steps are climbed to the Belfry to see all four bells, the earliest dating from 1566. Also remarkable is the ‘lovely and very special’ massive oak frame that supports the bells, the core of which dates to the 1400s, probably installed when the tower was first completed. This is the third year of guided tours up the tower, and they have been fully booked each time. Access is part of church’s outreach programme into the community to support local tourism, following tower access improvement work funded by local people, corporate donors, the Friends of Lewes and others.
Timings & Tours
- Friday 12 September:
- 11.30 to 12.15
- Saturday 13 September:
- 11.30 to 12.15
Location & directions
St Thomas a Becket Church, Cliffe High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2AW
- Directions:
- St Thomas a Becket church is situated at the eastern end of Cliffe High Street, adjacent to a small public car park.
- Contact on day:
- Peter Varlow
- Telephone number:
- +447971497011
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- You can book the free of charge by clicking on the appropriate link to the Eventbrite website. You will need to set up a user name and password if you have not booked through Eventbrite before. Booking opens on 21 August and closes the day before the event. For venue tours which happen more than once, you will be able to select the day/time you want during the booking process. You will receive confirmation of your booking by email. Please let us know at [email protected] if you cannot come.
- Booking website:
- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/st-thomas-a-becket-church-tickets-1540999162979
- Booking closes:
- 11 Sep 2025 06:00 PM
Accessibility details
Before you book, ask yourself “Am I fit and well to go up the stairs”. Do not take anything up the tower. Leave bags at foot of the stair so both hands are free to grip newel rope in one hand and handrail in the other. No smoking, vaping, naked lights, ignition materials or combustibles. Be aware of trip hazards and low doorways. Wear stout shoes (not big boots, the steps are small). Rubber-soled shoes are best; no hobnailed boots that might damage stonework. No loose clothing unless tucked in, long coats/dresses/scarves etc. Clothes will make contact with dusty walls. Handrail is bare steel:
Additional information
Children welcome, under 16s free, min age 8, under 16s accompanied by an adult. No public toilets, no dogs. 42 narrow stone steps, steep and uneven, up narrow spiral staircase to Clock Room, further 15 to Belfry. No seats. Tower roof not included. Wearing gloves recommended if Covid-vulnerable. Photography welcome.
- Max no of people per tour:
- 10
- Est. tour duration:
- 0 hour(s) 45 minute(s)
