Saturday 9am-3pm
BOOK ONLINE before 7pm on 17th May
or BOOK IN PERSON in the Church on Saturday 18th May (if spaces still available)
As part of Oundle Vintage Festival, St Peter’s Church is once again offering an opportunity to climb Oundle’s Church Tower and see magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. St Peter’s Church boasts the tallest spire in the county, standing a magnificent 210 feet high. A must for history fans and those with an eye for a view.
The 45 minute guided tour begins with a climb up a winding staircase to the bell ringing chamber, where the bell ropes and the clock mechanism can be seen. Your guides will explain the many historic features you will see as you progress and will always on hand to answer any questions you may have. You will continue up through the late medieval tower to the battlements at the top where you will be able to look out over the castellations. There are unparalleled views of the historic market town as well as the surrounding countryside. From here there is access down a wooden staircase into the hidden ‘Room in the Spire’ where you will be able to see right up to the top of the inside of the spire.
The St Peter’s Church Tower Tour offers:
- Rare opportunity to climb the tower
- Knowledgeable Tour Guides
- Tour the Bell Ringing Chamber
- Glance into the Belfry as you climb the 111 steps
- Discover the secret ‘Room in the Spire’
- Inspect the Town Clock and mechanism
- Choose your tour time and book online
Tours will last 45 minutes and will run on the half hour on Saturday 18th May 2024 between 9am and 3pm.
Please be aware that there are 111 spiral steps to the top with a break halfway at the bell ringing chamber. The steps are steep with limited headroom in places.
Restrictions
Access will not be permitted to children under the age of 8 and each child aged 8-17 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
You should not climb if:
• you suffer from vertigo or claustrophobia or are nervous of steep spiral staircases and narrow passageways
• you are pregnant, suffer from heart disorders or any medical condition or disability which might affect your own safety or the safety of others
A disclaimer must be signed at tour reception on the day of the tour prior to climbing the tower. You can click here to READ THE DISCLAIMER.
St Peter’s Church is the parish church of Oundle and a much loved and very beautiful building which is also used by the community of the Town for a wide variety of functions such as concerts, art exhibitions, talks, charity sales, wine tastings and barn dances. It is part of everyone’s heritage as well as being a well used building in the heart of Oundle. St Peter’s spire is the tallest in Northamptonshire, standing at 210 feet.
St Peter’s Church, which was originally built on the site of an earlier church and monastery, was founded by St Wilfred of Northumbria in the 7th century. A pre-conquest coffin lid is the only surviving relic of an earlier church.
Originally, St Peter’s was a small Norman Church with a central tower, which was enlarged in the 13th century with later additions and alterations in the Decorated Perpendicular styles. The interior was first restored in 1864 and contains a coloured pulpit, beautifully carved screens as well as memorials and stained glass windows.
The 15th century lectern, shaped in the form of an eagle is said to be from Fotheringhay Church. It was lost when roundheads threw it into the River Nene during the Civil War. Fortunately, it was later retrieved and returned to the Church. The architecture of the church is mainly Early English, though some parts are in the Decorated and Perpendicular style.
Monies raised from Tower Tours will be used to support St Peters Church Community Projects.
