Visitors Information
Whether you are a change-ringer, member of the public, or interested in learning to ring, we welcome you to come and see us at our towers. The Society's headquarters are at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, where most of our regular ringing takes place. All ringing at Old St Paul's is by arrangement, and the John David Mini Ring and Handbells are housed at the Cathedral.
If you are a change-ringer and can ring rounds competently, you are very welcome to ring with us. We recommend checking the calendar or getting in touch with one of our contacts to confirm your visit. Please see our regular ringing times below:
Wellington Cathedral of St Paul
Tuesday Practice Night
19:30 ~ 21:00 (see entry arrangements below)
Saturday Practice
9:30 ~ 12:00 (first hour usually QP attempt - check ahead)
Sunday Services
9:00 ~ 10:00
15:00 ~ 16:00 (sometimes QP attempt - check ahead)
Click here to see the full ringing schedule (includes public holidays and special occasions)
Old St Paul's
By arrangement only.
John David Mini Ring/ Handbells
Please contact us if you would like to ring on the John David Mini Ring/ Handbells. We can usually arrange grabs before or after ringing sessions. We sometimes use the Mini ring on Saturday mornings.
Wellington Cathedral of St Paul
We regularly open the bell tower at Wellington Cathedral to the public - do come along to watch the ringing take place, visit the bells in the belfry and learn about the fascinating art of change-ringing. We have a lift, so the tower is easily accessible to all without needing to climb over 100 steps!
Before your visit, please note that ringing times can vary, or be cancelled due to lack of sufficient ringers - any changes will be posted in our calendar.
See the bells ringing:
Tuesday 19:30 ~ 21:00 - by arrangement only, please contact us.
Saturday 10:30 ~ 12:00
Sunday 9:00 ~ 10:00
15:00 ~ 16:00 - check calendar beforehand.
Entry is by donation. Guided tours are also available during cathedral opening hours - inquire at the cathedral office or visit their website. Make sure you check out the rest of the cathedral while you're there!
Cathedral Open:
Monday - Friday 8:00 ~17:00
Saturday 10:00 ~ 12:00
Sunday 8:00 ~ 17:30
Old St Paul's
Open every day from 10:00 to 16:00. Whilst all ringing here is by arrangement, the main entrance is through the tower! So do pop along to Old St Paul's and look up at the ceiling as you walk in - we ring the bells from the ground floor, so it is easy to see the ropes and the bells above you.
Wellington Cathedral of St Paul
2 Hill Street, Thorndon 6011
On weekends you can enter the cathedral through the main doors at the south end of the building (closest to parliament), then go along the right-hand aisle to the foot of the tower and take the lift to the 3rd floor. Alternatively, you can enter the tower from the street - carry on walking along Molesworth St and enter at the foot of the tower through the double doors.
For Tuesday practice nights, you will need to be at The Bishop's Door at around 19:15 in order to gain access to the cathedral. The location of the Bishop's Door is shown on the map below. Walk up Molesworth Street, past the tower, until you see a large wooden door. Please make yourself known to any ringers who arrive.
Old St Paul's
34 Mulgrave Street, Pipitea 6011
Ground floor ringing room. If the main door at the bottom of the tower is shut/ locked, please use the side entrance, which is usually open when ringing takes place.
The location of the Bishop's door is denoted by the purple marker.
Wellington Cathedral of St Paul
There is parking available along Molesworth Street and on Hill Street outside the Loaves & Fishes Hall. Charges apply between 6:00 and 19:00 on weekdays, as the carparks are leased out to Wilsons Parking during those times. Cathedral parking is free at all other times.
Old St Paul's
There is parking available on the church grounds, and limited street parking.
