A trip to the top of the Hornsey Church Tower

Last Saturday, the girl and I took a walk up the Hornsey Church Tower. We were not disappointed. Some great views from the top and some very interesting snippets of history uncovered in the tomb trail we did afterwards.

The Tower is all that is left of the medieval church of St Mary when Hornsey was a small rural village in Middlesex. The lower part of the tower dates from around 1500 and there is a particularly fine Tudor fireplace in the basement entrance. Ascending the stairs to the Ringing Chamber, you notice the tell-tale red brick of the Tudor period.  On the walls of the Ringing Chamber, boards commemorate notable peals by the bell ringers. The bells were removed in 1968 and melted down to make a new peal for St George in the East, Stepney.

As you climb, the red brick gives way to yellow stock brick used for making the Tower higher in 1833, when architect George Smith created the top of the tower in a Gothic Revival style, passing the timber bell frame in the belfrey tower

and getting a little giddy on the stone steps.

Finally you arrive on the roof, repaired in 1995 and take in the magnificent views of green and pleasant Haringey and beyond.

Towards the city 

Wood Green and the Hornsey Gas Tower

Ally Pally (naturally)

and as far as the eye can see.

Back at the bottom, we popped into the chapel where the War memorial, rescued from the demolished Victorian Church, is hung

and picked up a tomb trail which highlights 11 graves of particular local significance

or which are especially poignant.

We found the tomb of poet Samuel Rogers, famous in his day, but largely only remembered now because of his association with more famous poets.
Mine be a cot beside the hill,
A bee-hive's hum shall sooth my ear;
A willowy brook, that turns a mill,
With many a fall shall linger near.

and a link with slavery days at the tomb of Jacob Walker.

"In America The Faithful Slave,
In England The Faithful Servant"

Refreshing ourselves with teas and home made cakes, we rested in the pleasant gardens before making our way home.

Many thanks to the Friends of Hornsey Church Tower for a super open day. The next open day will be in September for the London Open House Festival. I heartily recommend you find time to visit this lovely spot on our doorstep.

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