Castle Combe Clock, Medieval turret clock in Castle Combe, England
The Castle Combe Clock stands inside St. Andrew's Church and is a medieval mechanical device that marks the hours with bell strikes from the tower. It features a striking mechanism and has been modified over the centuries to continue working reliably for modern visitors.
This clock dates from the late 15th century and originally used a verge escapement mechanism. Around 1670, it received a pendulum system that significantly improved its accuracy and reliability.
The clock displays medieval craftsmanship through its wrought iron construction and carefully designed mechanical parts. Visitors can observe how skilled workers built timepieces by hand, long before factory methods existed.
The clock is visible inside the church and can be observed when visiting the building. Plan to visit during daylight hours to see the mechanism clearly and hear the hourly bell strikes that echo through the church.
The striking mechanism includes a count wheel with 78 outer teeth and 12 inner notches that enable precise hour counting. This technical detail reveals how medieval clockmakers solved complex problems long before digital systems existed.
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