Bellringing

All Saints is home to the Ilkley Bellringers, who are a joint band with St Peter's Church in Addingham.

We welcome visiting ringers, and anyone interested in seeing how bells are rung, or wanting to learn the ancient – and very enjoyable – art of bellringing.

Please see below for details of our practice nights. If you are planning to come along for the first time or want any further information, please contact our Tower Captain (Sue Green) on 07746 950214. 

In our belltower hangs a peal of 8 bells (18cwt):

• Three are 17th century bells, which were recast in 1845; and
• Five more added by the Reverend John Snowdon and his three sons, Jasper, William and Henry, who all shared their father’s great enthusiasm for bellringing.

All 8 bells were recast in 1939 and more information about them can be found in the Dove's Guide. 

Jasper Whitfield Snowdon was a nationally renowned bellringer. Upon his death in 1885, a bespoke window was commissioned from a local firm, Powell Brothers of Leeds. This window is behind the baptism font in church and depicts angelic figures praising God on a variety of musical instruments, while a peal of 12 bells ring above and 3 bells ring below. Look out for it next time you visit!

Practice nights

Every Wednesday, 7.30pm to 9pm
1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at All Saints Ilkley
2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at St Peter's Addingham

Sunday mornings

Both towers ring at 9.30am on Sunday mornings.
All Saints rings until 10.15am, whilst St Peter's finishes at 10am.

Access to the bell towers

All Saints Ilkley: The tower door is at the base of the tower on the South wall. Access is from the North side from the park or Manor Yard. Please note that direct access isn’t possible from Church Street as it is blocked by the Link Building. There are approximately 40 steps up the circular stone staircase to the ringing chamber.

St Peter's Addingham: Access is from inside the church via the main entrance. There is a short wooden staircase up to the ringing chamber.