Urgent Repair and Restoration of the Tower

The landmark tower of the Collegiate Church of St Mary has defined the Warwick skyline for more than three centuries. Rising over 130 feet above the town, it serves as a focal point visible from every approach. However, after more than 300 years of exposure to the elements, the tower's stonework has reached a critical state that demands urgent attention.

The Challenge

Over recent years, an increasing number of stone fragments have broken away from the tower as the original mortar has deteriorated through natural weathering. Rainwater has gradually dissolved the binding material, loosening individual stones from the structure. For a period, this process was most visible on the east face of the tower, where pieces of masonry fell onto the nave roof without causing immediate danger to the public.

That changed in April 2021 when a substantial section of masonry separated from the west face of the tower and fell onto the road below. Although no one was injured and no vehicles were damaged, the incident underscored the severity of the situation. It became clear that the tower posed a genuine health and safety risk to both churchgoers and the wider public. Protective scaffolding and netting were promptly erected around the base of the tower as a precautionary measure.

A Comprehensive Restoration Plan

A detailed restoration programme was developed by specialist conservation architects, addressing every aspect of the tower's structural needs. The scope of works includes repointing and repairing deteriorated mortar joints, replacing individual stones that have become too badly damaged to save, and treating the remaining original stonework to slow future erosion.

The project also encompasses the restoration of the tower's decorative elements, including the twelve painted heraldic shields positioned near the top of the structure. These shields, which bear the arms of historic benefactors and local families, had faded significantly over the centuries and required careful cleaning and repainting by specialist craftspeople.

Additional works include the repair of clock faces, the restoration of pinnacles and turrets, and structural surveys of the interior staircase that provides public access to the viewing platform at the top of the tower. The viewing platform itself, which offers panoramic views across Warwickshire, was identified as requiring attention to ensure it remains safe and accessible for visitors.

The History of the Tower

The tower's story is inseparable from one of the most significant events in Warwick's history. In 1694, the Great Fire of Warwick devastated much of the town centre, and the church suffered catastrophic damage. The medieval tower was destroyed entirely, along with the nave and much of the interior.

Rebuilding commenced promptly, and by 1704 a new tower had risen from the ruins. Designed by William Wilson under the direction of Crown Commissioners, the rebuilt tower adopted a Gothic style that harmonised with the surviving medieval portions of the church. The result was described by architectural historian Sir John Summerson as "remarkable for its success as for its independence in style." The tower has endured as a constant in Warwick's evolving landscape ever since.

The Bells and the Carillon

Within the tower hangs a ring of ten bells, three of which date from the original casting before the Great Fire. Every three hours, on the hour, the bells sound as a carillon, with a different melody assigned to each day of the week. This tradition has continued largely uninterrupted and forms part of the daily rhythm of life in the town.

The tower also houses a clock mechanism built by John Smith and Sons of Derby, installed in 1902. The clock features four dials, each measuring over six feet across, with gilded numerals and hands made of copper. The restoration project included conservation work on these clock faces, returning them to their original appearance.

Funding and Support

The campaign has received backing from a number of national and regional organisations. The National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded a significant grant towards the project, recognising the tower's importance as a heritage asset. Contributions have also come from Benefact Trust, The Wolfson Foundation, Rowlands Trust, Warwick Town Council and Warwick District Council, alongside hundreds of individual donors and members of the Order of St Mary.

The fundraising effort also attracted the attention of public figures, with supporters highlighting the tower's role as one of the most recognisable landmarks in the West Midlands. The personal stories shared through the "Tower and Me" initiative further illustrate the depth of feeling that surrounds this building. Every donation, whether large or small, has contributed to reaching the fundraising target necessary to begin and sustain the restoration works.