Dear Guild Member,
It is with great pleasure that we invite you to join us for the Guild of Clerical Ringers’ Annual Low Week Tour, taking place from Monday 13th to Friday 17th April 2026. This valued tradition offers a wonderful opportunity to share fellowship, enjoy the art of bell ringing, and this year visit some of Hampshire’s most delightful towers, all in the company of friends old and new.
Our itinerary commences with a warm welcome and collection from Winchester station at 12:40 pm for those who require assistance with travel upon arrival (if requested on the included booking form).
The week’s programme will feature visits to a wide variety of notable towers including All Saints, Hursley (see photograph below); St Mary, Twyford; and St Mary, Bishopstoke on the Monday afternoon, while each church visited as the week proceeds offers its own unique history and character, providing an enriching backdrop for our ringing activities.
A more detailed schedule than the one here, including timings and further locations details, will be provided for all those who book to come.
Throughout the tour, each day, we plan to attempt a range of ringing methods suitable for all levels of experience, from rounds and call changes to Plain Bob, Grandsire, Stedman, Double Norwich and Surprise. Guidance and encouragement will be provided, making this an ideal occasion for those wishing to hone their skills or try something new. At the day’s end of ringing on Monday to Thursday, opportunities for worship are provided including Evensong at Portsmouth Cathedral on the Thursday, prior to returning to our hotel.
Travel arrangements have been thoughtfully organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience with coach transport to be arranged between towers on the Tuesday through to the Thursday. Lunch and refreshments will be provided at welcoming local establishments such as the Kings Head, Hursley, starting at where we gather first on the Monday before ringing during the afternoon. All the pub lunch time venues during the week have been personally sampled and offer excellent hospitality and ambiance for the group to enjoy.
Accommodation for the week will be at the Elizabeth House Hotel in Southampton, where you will enjoy bed and breakfast and supper each evening. We have secured a range of options to suit your needs: double rooms, single rooms and shared accommodation.
Cost – while we don’t have yet a precise quote for the Tuesday to Thursday coach travel, the likely costs for the full week are in the order of (based on 18 participants): Shared room – £434 / Double room – £716 / Single occupancy – £580
However, these figures include Dinner, B&B, tower fees, coach hire (an estimate), driver’s tip and the Gosport ferry (on the Thursday).
If a partner, for instance, is not a ringer, then we would not charge tower fees, which would reduce the cost by £10. If they don’t travel on the coach at all, a further reduction of around £90 could apply. Clearly, the overall costs will be less if more participants book, even for part of the week.
Booking forms have already been sent to members by email. To reserve your place for the full week or part week, please complete the booking form and return it as soon as possible with your deposit and no later than 28th February to Tim Hawkings – Guild Secretary. The hotel has asked us to confirm our booking by the end of February, because they become busy from March. We will do all we can to fit people in after that, but to be sure of your hotel room, please book by the end of February.
Should you require further information or specific queries, please contact our tour organising member: David Grimwood at or text 07960 369681.
We very much hope you will be able to join us for what promises to be a memorable and uplifting week of ringing, fellowship, and exploration. Your presence would be most warmly welcomed.
With best wishes,
Jon
Revd Jonathan Rose, President, Guild of Clerical Ringers