The James Thomas Bell Tower is regularly opened to the public - do come along to watch the bellringers in action, see the bells in the belfry, and learn about the fascinating art of change-ringing. We have a lift, so the tower is easily accessible without needing to climb over 100 steps! Entry to the tower is by Koha/ Donation. 

See the bells ringing:

• Saturday: 10:00 - 13:00 (check the diary for exact times)

• Sunday: 9:00-10:00

                    15:00-16:00 (exc. between Christmas and 1st Sunday in February)

• Tuesday: please contact us to visit on a Tuesday night practice. Access will not be granted to non-ringers without prior arrangement. 

Full Cathedral Ringing Schedule available here, including ringing for special occasions and public holidays. Check the diary for the latest ringing times. 

Please check the diary before your visit or get in touch with a tower contact to avoid disappointment, as all ringing is subject to change or cancellation at short notice due to insufficient ringer availability. We aim to post any changes in our diary as quickly as possible.

Please note that outside of ringing times, the tower is inaccessible to the public without a guide. See below. 

Tours

Guided tours are available by arrangement outside of our regular ringing times. Tours include the ringing room, belfry and sometimes the flag tower via the ceiling space. Depending on ringer availability, there is a chance to see a demonstration of ringing and to have a go at chiming yourself! To arrange a tour; contact us or Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, or pop in to the cathedral office during your visit. Full cathedral tours will soon be available too, visit the cathedral website for further information.

Visit the cathedral:

Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm

Saturday  Varies

Sunday 8am - 5pm

The church is open daily from 10:00 to 16:00 (except Good Friday, Christmas Day, and Anzac Day until 13:00). 

Whilst all ringing here is by arrangement, the main entrance is through the tower! So do look up at the ceiling as you enter the building - we ring the bells from the ground floor so it is easy to see the ropes and bells above you. Check our diary to see when we are ringing at Old St Paul's. Guided, self-guided and group tours are available - these are run by Heritage New Zealand. Please visit the Old St Paul's website to find out more.