Market Clock Tower, Darlington, County Durham - Town Clocks on Waymarking.com

Although several designs were submitted, the town board decided to call in the services of Mr. Alfred Waterhouse, a successful Quaker Architect, who submitted plans for a building to cost some £14,000, in June, 1861. The plan, which incorporated the clock tower, was adopted in December, 1861. The clock is by Cooke of York.
The clock tower and spire were finished in July, 1864.
People at first could not tell the time from it, because the dial was coloured and it had gilt hands. After consultation with Mr. Pease, who donate the clock to the town, they were replaced and white glass and black hands were installed instead.
Until December 1977, the clock mechanism was hand wound 3 times a week. Weights were drawn up from the basement through cut-outs in the staircase onto cable drums (approximately 70 turns on each handle). On Heritage Open Days each September, tours reveal these inner workings as well as the bells, cast by John Warner & Sons (who also cast Big Ben) and a birds eye view of the town centre gives excellent and unique photo opportunities.
The clock tower was restored in 2000

Status: Working Display: Mounted Year built: 07/01/1864 Web link to additional info: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Photo of clock.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   02/12/2024 dtrebilc visited it 01/14/2009 Master Mariner visited it 08/04/2008 Sir Lose-a-lot visited it

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