Whitechapel Bell Foundry
Whitechapel Bell Foundry
4.5
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Whitechapel
Whether you're here for its dynamic street life, world class galleries or famed curry houses, you're bound to be wowed by the uniquely cosmopolitan flavor of Whitechapel. Long gone are the days when Jack the Ripper stalked its streets. And despite his mysterious legacy bringing throngs of curiosity driven tour groups to its back alleys and otherwise serene garden squares, these days you're more likely to catch a cutting edge fashionista scurrying through its age old lanes than criminals of any sort.
How to get there
- Beckton • 6 min walk
- Whitechapel • 6 min walk
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4.5
74 reviews
Excellent
43
Very good
20
Average
6
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Sandygranny
Sandy, UK935 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
The Whitechapel Bell Foundry was founded in 1570 and has been operating ever since.
Famous bells manufactured at the foundry include the original Liberty Bell (1752), the Great Bell of Montreal and Big Ben at the Palace of Westminster, weighing more than 13 tons.
Tours are held every other Saturday and you need to book well in advance. Unfortunately we had not booked but had a look at the exhibits in the small museum and read about the history of the foundry, which was very interesting. There is a nice shop where we bought a small bell as a souvenir.
Famous bells manufactured at the foundry include the original Liberty Bell (1752), the Great Bell of Montreal and Big Ben at the Palace of Westminster, weighing more than 13 tons.
Tours are held every other Saturday and you need to book well in advance. Unfortunately we had not booked but had a look at the exhibits in the small museum and read about the history of the foundry, which was very interesting. There is a nice shop where we bought a small bell as a souvenir.
Written 18 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flapjack_the_puffin
Mawson Lakes, Australia83 contributions
Jul 2011 • Solo
Everyone goes to London to hear Big Ben chime. But a wonderfully special side-trip is to visit this Bell Foundry and see where Big Ben was made. I wasn't lucky enough to get a place on the Saturday guided tour, but I visited the foundry regardless, on a Monday, and had a very enjoyable morning.
There is a small museum in the foyer of the factory to look around, which tells the story of the foundry, and its most famous bells. It was something completely different to learn about, and well worth the visit. There is also a shop, for all types of bell memorabilia.
The receptionist at the foundry was lovely, and said that because it was a warm day, the big doors to the factory around the corner were likely to be open. She suggested that I walk down there so I could look in and see the workers making some bells. I took her advice, and sure enough, I could see the bells being made. It was a really special experience to visit the place where so many famous bells were made.
There is a small museum in the foyer of the factory to look around, which tells the story of the foundry, and its most famous bells. It was something completely different to learn about, and well worth the visit. There is also a shop, for all types of bell memorabilia.
The receptionist at the foundry was lovely, and said that because it was a warm day, the big doors to the factory around the corner were likely to be open. She suggested that I walk down there so I could look in and see the workers making some bells. I took her advice, and sure enough, I could see the bells being made. It was a really special experience to visit the place where so many famous bells were made.
Written 8 December 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crow M
Devon271 contributions
Sept 2012 • Family
Came in September. Booked well in advance. Seem to remember it was about £12 a head but easily worth it. Strongly recommended. Take the detail and advice on the website very carefully. This is a very u usual place. Probably the only place like this worldwide. It has been caught up in both British European and American history for many centuries. The tour is very well planned and conducted. Everything was clear and interesting. Whatever your age (but they don't allow under14s for safety reasons) it is fascinating. Highly recommended.
Written 25 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jana K
5 contributions
Nov 2022
Unfortunately, the building is abandoned and there is graffiti all over it. The neighborhood is sketchy. While I was taking photos, a random man advised me not to keep my camera out because someone might snatch it out of my hands. We later saw another tourist couple wandering around the building with disappointed scowls.
Written 16 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wiganuk
wiganuk31 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
Arrived at the door to the foundry be a woman who asked to the tickets, tried to make casual conversation with her regarding various items on show in the first room but to be honest she wasn't really bothered and even turned her back on us. When the tour started we had a very informative few mins about the history or the foundry and was told that if anyone had any questions they only needed to ask. During the tour people did ask questions only to get rather sarcastic answers back or I don't wish to answer that question, one lady asked could the guy maybe ask something about some vibration sound the bell made she was a bell ringer only to be told "I have no intention of asking that question" It rather but a downer or what should have been a very good day out but it seems off the cuff remarks, sarcastic replies or poor humour from the foundry owner/guide ruined it. I had already be pre-warned of this by a friend who had been before and yes the guide lived up to what he has said! Who want's a tour when the guide is being rather sarcastic well I don't. yes you may be the longest running manufacturing company in the UK but it doesn't mean you have to have a attitude problem showing people around who have paid good money!
Written 13 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
happy_chappie024
London, UK20 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
Excellent tour. My wife and I went during the Jubilee celebrations, and were allowed to go round by ourselves and chat to the workers. Usually it's an organised group tour, so we were lucky to go during the period we went. Either way, a brilliant tour and well worth the £10.00 per person. Big ben, the American Liberty bell, and numerous other bells were cast here. At the end of the tour they have a set of hanging bells that ring all the peals known. Highly reccomended.
Written 9 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike B
Kinver, UK11 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
We did our visit last week and during the Olympics, so it is a self- guided tour, it was wonderful, everyone is so friendly and stops whatever they are doing to chat to you, show you what they do and answer any questions you have. Highly recommend a visit.
Written 8 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eurotraveller224
Warwick, UK70 contributions
Jun 2012 • Couples
We popped into the Bell Foundry as we were passing. What an experience. Amazing friendly staff. The smell of the metal. Its like history. VISIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Written 30 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lloydb
Philadelphia, PA25 contributions
Apr 2011 • Couples
A must see especially if you're from Philadelphia. Only a short walk from the tube. Don't expect to see a large factory. It is more like a corner store. Check their web site for tour dates. Only open for tours certain weekends.They do expect you to reserve and prepay but since they don't have an internet or credit card pay system I was able to e-mail their staff and they reserved two spots and I paid when we got there. This is a small factory so you are in close quarters especially when you go "upstairs". It was warn in April. I can't imagine the heat from the furnace during the summer. You see Big Ben size bell castings down to handbell casts. Very interesting. Wonderful gift shop. Do you know the Liberty Bell and Big Ben were tuned before they left the factory?
Written 17 July 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen H
Newark-on-Trent, UK76 contributions
Jun 2013 • Friends
Whitechapel Bell Foundry is the oldest manufacturing company in Britain that is still in business, in continuous operation definitely since 1570 and possibly since 1420. I organized and led a group of 25 visitors and can say without hesitation that everyone loved it.
Tours only take place on Saturdays when the Foundry is not operational, and are so rare and sought after that they are often booked up a year ahead. They typically run on only 22 Saturdays a year. It is best to monitor the company website to get on a tour but if you are lucky you might get a ticket if you turn up unannounced. At £12 a person it is a total bargain.
The external appearance of the WBF is modest, but as soon as you come in, it is clear you are somewhere special. After all, you have just walked in through the life-sized original outline used in the manufacture of one of the world’s most famous bells, Big Ben, made right here in 1858.
The present address is the company’s only site. All its operations have been done here since 1738, and the many famous bells made in these very premises also include the original Liberty Bell of 1751.
This ancient company has been owned and operated by the Hughes family since 1904. Our expert host and guide was Alan Hughes, not only the managing director but also a qualified and experienced bell-founder. The only doubtful point in his guidance was his assertion that he has worked for the company for 47 years. He does not look much more than 50, so bell-founding must be good for your health.
In about 90 minutes, from Alan’s opening explanation of bell moulding (done with sand, clay, horse manure and goat hair) to the magnificently resonant final demonstration of one of the great bells, we were given a thorough introduction to the casting, tuning, installation and maintenance of church bells, and the manufacture and repair of musical hand-bells and other small bells. In a ‘church bell’, any inscription is hand-stamped into the mould before it dries, giving raised lettering on the bell. In contrast, ships’ bells are not tuned and so are not musical. Moreover, they are cast in plain sand moulds and any inscription is engraved afterwards.
Medieval monks used chopped straw rather than goats’ hair, but that aside, the principles of bell casting have remained unaltered for 5,000 years. We also received a fascinating insight into the bell-ringing habits of different nations, explaining how the custom of ‘change ringing’ is almost exclusively English (no, not even British: just English). In England there are approximately 5,500 sets of bells made for change ringing, and no more than 200 in the rest of the world.
So much more could be said of this visit, not least about the woodwork shop with its beautiful bell wheels; but it must be kept for a future account, because from its great interest we hope to repeat this visit. Drawbacks to be mentioned: foundries by their nature are dirty places with sharp objects lying around. No open-toed sandals, no children under 14. Some low ceilings and two sets of steep narrow stairways.
Tours only take place on Saturdays when the Foundry is not operational, and are so rare and sought after that they are often booked up a year ahead. They typically run on only 22 Saturdays a year. It is best to monitor the company website to get on a tour but if you are lucky you might get a ticket if you turn up unannounced. At £12 a person it is a total bargain.
The external appearance of the WBF is modest, but as soon as you come in, it is clear you are somewhere special. After all, you have just walked in through the life-sized original outline used in the manufacture of one of the world’s most famous bells, Big Ben, made right here in 1858.
The present address is the company’s only site. All its operations have been done here since 1738, and the many famous bells made in these very premises also include the original Liberty Bell of 1751.
This ancient company has been owned and operated by the Hughes family since 1904. Our expert host and guide was Alan Hughes, not only the managing director but also a qualified and experienced bell-founder. The only doubtful point in his guidance was his assertion that he has worked for the company for 47 years. He does not look much more than 50, so bell-founding must be good for your health.
In about 90 minutes, from Alan’s opening explanation of bell moulding (done with sand, clay, horse manure and goat hair) to the magnificently resonant final demonstration of one of the great bells, we were given a thorough introduction to the casting, tuning, installation and maintenance of church bells, and the manufacture and repair of musical hand-bells and other small bells. In a ‘church bell’, any inscription is hand-stamped into the mould before it dries, giving raised lettering on the bell. In contrast, ships’ bells are not tuned and so are not musical. Moreover, they are cast in plain sand moulds and any inscription is engraved afterwards.
Medieval monks used chopped straw rather than goats’ hair, but that aside, the principles of bell casting have remained unaltered for 5,000 years. We also received a fascinating insight into the bell-ringing habits of different nations, explaining how the custom of ‘change ringing’ is almost exclusively English (no, not even British: just English). In England there are approximately 5,500 sets of bells made for change ringing, and no more than 200 in the rest of the world.
So much more could be said of this visit, not least about the woodwork shop with its beautiful bell wheels; but it must be kept for a future account, because from its great interest we hope to repeat this visit. Drawbacks to be mentioned: foundries by their nature are dirty places with sharp objects lying around. No open-toed sandals, no children under 14. Some low ceilings and two sets of steep narrow stairways.
Written 20 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bit of a strange one, but does it have a smell of molten iron? My dad was an iron moulder, I would love to recapture the smell..
Written 22 December 2016
Didn't do the tour, but it is a very old building and well worth a visit.
Written 23 December 2016
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