Climbing The Caledonian Park Clock Tower

I have long wanted to see inside the Caledonian Park Clock Tower and the Open House London weekend provided the opportunity to do so, with tours available on the Saturday, so on a warm, sunny afternoon I was in Caledonian Park ready for the climb.

Referring back to yesterday’s post, the Clock Tower from the south. The old Copenhagen House would have been just in front and to the left of the Clock Tower.

Caledonian Clock Tower 12

At the base of the tower are plaques recording the march in support of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the original Copenhagen Fields and House.

Plaques 1

Once inside the base of the tower, a spiral staircase provides access to the first floor:

Caledonian Clock Tower 1

Further up the tower, the first glimpse of the view to come from the top:

Caledonian Clock Tower 3

Along with the weights that drive the clock.

Caledonian Clock Tower 2

The clock has not been converted to an electric system, the original mechanical clock is still in place, driven by weights and needing to be wound once a week.

The weights have almost half the height of the tower to fall when the clock is fully wound to provide a reasonably long running period.

Caledonian Clock Tower 10

On the floor below the clock mechanism is the pendulum. Fully operational with a smooth sweep back and forth. The bottom part of the near vertical wooden steps to climb between floors can just be seen below the pendulum.

Caledonian Clock Tower 4

On the next floor is the clock mechanism. In place since the original construction of the Clock Tower:

Caledonian Clock Tower 5

One of the dials recording that the clock was constructed by John Moore & Sons of Clerkenwell in 1856. Founded in 1790, John Moore & Sons operated from Clerkenwell Close for the whole of the 19th century, finally moving to Spencer Street in 1900 where they would remain for a further 20 years, mainly as watch makers. As well as the Caledonian Park Clock Tower, mechanisms manufactured by John Moore & Sons can still be found in many churches including St. Michael, Wood Green, St. Mary the Virgin in Mortlake and Holy Trinity Church in Fareham.

There have been a few restorations of the clock in the intervening 155 years, however it is still essentially the same as when it was first installed.

Caledonian Clock Tower 6

Other dials record later restorations. John Smith & Sons of Derby in 1993:

Caledonian Clock Tower 25

On the next floor up is the mechanism that takes the single drive from the clock on the floor below and drives four rods, one to each of the four clock faces on each side of the clock tower. Unfortunately the actual mechanism was hidden within a large wooden box.

Caledonian Clock Tower 7

One of the clock faces. The rod running from the right drives the clock and the gearing in the middle is the reduction drive so that both the minute and hour hands can be driven from the single drive.

Caledonian Clock Tower 24

The final set of steps provides access to the viewing gallery around the top of the Clock Tower. Through a small doorway, facing due south and straight into the following view across the whole sweep of central London and to the hills beyond.

Caledonian Clock Tower 11

Canary Wharf:

Caledonian Clock Tower 13

The City of London:

Caledonian Clock Tower 28

St. Paul’s Cathedral on the western edge of the City. When the Clock Tower was originally built. the city horizon would have seemed very flat with the exception of St. Paul’s and the steeples of the City churches.

Caledonian Clock Tower 22

The chimney of Tate Modern:

Caledonian Clock Tower 21

The Shell Centre building on the south bank and the London Eye:

Caledonian Clock Tower 20

The walkway around the Clock Tower is not that wide and the railings around the edge did not seem very high given the height of the Clock Tower.

Caledonian Clock Tower 16

Moving round to the east, the Olympic Park and the ArcelorMittal Orbit:

Caledonian Clock Tower 17And a bit further round, the Arsenal Emirates Stadium:

Caledonian Clock Tower 14Alexandra Palace:

Caledonian Clock Tower 15Looking to the south west, with the BT Tower in the centre. The area now covered by trees, the block of flats to the right and the sports pitches were all part of the Cattle Market.

Caledonian Clock Tower 29

The view looking down onto the park. The area occupied by the park, the football pitches and the sports complex were also part of the Cattle Market. Unfortunately I have not been able to find any photos taken from the tower whilst the market was in operation. It must have been an impressive sight on a busy market day.

Caledonian Clock Tower 27

Above the viewing gallery are the bells, not used having been out of action for many years.

Caledonian Clock Tower 18

As with the clock, the bells are original. The main bell showing 1856 as the year of manufacture:

Caledonian Clock Tower 19

It was about 10 to 15 minutes at the top of the tower, it went far too quickly when there was so much to take in, however It was time to climb back down through the doorway, and take one last look at London:

Caledonina Clock Tower 26

The Caledonian Clock Tower is a fantastic survival from the Metropolitan Cattle Market. Largely unchanged since first built and faithful to James Bunstone Bunning’s original design. It is a Grade II* listed building to recognise the important part the Clock Tower played in London’s commercial and industrial heritage. Long may it survive.

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16 thoughts on “Climbing The Caledonian Park Clock Tower

  1. Donna Reeves

    Absolutely stunning of London – it is so rare to see ‘new’ views of such a familiar city. Thanks for sharing these, and the many others in your blogs.

    Reply
  2. imogen

    Lovely posts and photos about the former cattle and flea markets, and broader history of the area around Cally Park. Thank you! In response to your comment, ‘It was about 10 to 15 minutes at the top of the tower, it went far too quickly when there was so much to take in’ do you know that Islington Council welcomes more volunteers to help in the clock tower? Volunteers can either help as stewards to take members of the public up and down the tower when it is open (I’m one such volunteer and thoroughly recommend it) and/or can help wind the clock, which happens once a week. If you’re interested, I suggest you email Chris Hariades, Greenspace Project Officer, at greenspace@islington.gov.uk. For more details, see: http://www.islington.gov.uk/services/parks-environment/parks/your_parks/greenspace_az/greenspace_c/caledonian-park/Pages/default.aspx

    Reply
    1. admin Post author

      Imogen, thanks for the comments on the post. One of the guides on the day mentioned about the opportunity to help wind the clock and it would be wonderful to volunteer, but a full time job restricts my time at the moment (including being very slow at responding to comments !) Hopefully one day in the future. The tower is a fantastic historical reminder of the history of Cally Park, and as you must known the views from the top are some of the best in London.

      Reply
      1. Lee Burrows

        Hello admin, As someone who has wound up all 3 of the Weights, On my Own, like my Father did, Weekly, for years. I can speak with authority. It used to take me as a Teenager 30 Minutes, God knows how long it would take me Now at 65 !!! 🙂

        Reply
  3. Brian Robertson

    Having lived in ear shot of the Tower (can remember it’s chimes late at night while in bed) it’s something very dear to my heart and I must climb it one day and see the views of London and my house from it.

    It may no longer clime but long may it stand!

    Reply
  4. tiena williamson

    can anyone tell me what the buildings at the bottom were i lived in camden park road,
    but played near the clock many times i have some recollection of post offices offices at the bottom of the clock am i right amyone

    Reply
    1. Lee Burrows

      Hi Tiena
      I have only just visited this site, really by accident! The Buildings at the bottom of the Clock tower (built in the same lime stone, and in a circle) were for the market administration. The Existing Buttresses, in fact were also Chimneys. The buildings included the wages, the Postal service, and the Metropolitan Cattle Market Police station. I know this because I was born just across the road (Corinth Road) While the Market was still a working Live Stock Market and Slaughter House. My father Mr James Burrows, who worked at the market, did the maintenance for the Clock Tower while he worked there, including Winding the Three Weights for the Chimes, on a weekly basis. Which he continued to do, even after the market closed, and for Many Years, without being paid, this didn’t matter to him, it had become part of my family’s life! Indeed, when my father couldn’t wind the clock, I did, from the age of 12 It was, to me, a matter of Family Honour.
      After the Market closed. The Tower was, abandoned by everyone except my Father, it was Continually Vandalised, but my Dad spent his own money and time to keep the tower Secure. And he fought, For Years, to Stop it from being either Sold, or Knocked down, Until He managed to get the Tower recognised by English Heritage.
      If you would like any more information, I’m sure my father would be only to please to tell you.
      Yours
      Lee Burrows

      Reply
      1. ROBERT HEATH

        Hi Lee
        I have been directed to this site by my cousin Valerie Heath who sent a reply several months ago. The reason for this note is that your Dad’s niece will be visiting Switzerland this month staying with me in New Barnet on the way back to the USA in mid-October
        Lorianne expressed a desire to see her family whilst here for a few days
        If you read this please try to make contact
        Bob [Bobby] Heath
        07904041872

        Reply
      2. Tim Dalby

        Hi Lee, we’re visiting the Clock Tower today, as my partner used to live in Pedlars Way, and innocently play with the abattoirs ball-bearings! Do you by any chance have any recollections about the road? Kind Regards, Tim
        timdalbyquenet@hotmail.com

        Reply
  5. Valerie Heath

    Hi Lee.
    I realise that it is nearly a year since you posted here but I have been trying to find your Dad, Jimmy, but with no luck. Jimmy is my cousin and our family also lived in Corinth Road. For many years now we have been following his history with the Caledonian Market Clock and your post here has been the first contact we have found of the family. Would it be possible for me to speak with Jimmy or failing that yourself?
    Regards.
    Valerie Heath

    Reply
  6. Tracey

    Hi I just come across!!! Brought me back to my childhood,I lived on the market estate in Southdown block,I loved it,I’ve so many memories,playing in the park,picking the daffodils for my Nan,I can still smell the corridors on a Sunday afternoon everyone doing their roast Dinners,my Nan and grandad was one of the first people to move into the estate when it was first built,Wish I could rewind time,

    Reply
    1. Lee Burrows

      Hello Tracey, We were moved to York Way Estate (The Grey Flats, When it was completed, and Yes I remember that Corridor Smell on a Sunday as well 🙂 I also remember the Smell, and the Sight of Floor Polish, in the Corridors. Where the Older Ladies, couldn’t get over Looking after the Pavement! Outside there Old “Street” Front Doors! Dirty Pavement = Dirty Family ! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Michael Harris

    Thank you for this very interesting article. My bedroom overlooked the clock tower and always remember the chimes throughout the 60s. I moved away from London in the 90s so this has brought back fond memories for me.

    Reply

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