Cotehele clock

The Cotehele clock is a medieval timekeeping device housed in a stone tower adjacent to the chapel, functioning without a dial or hands to display the time. The mechanism strikes the hours audibly, with all of its original components visible and still operating as designed.

The device was installed in 1489 and ranks among the oldest continuously operating domestic clocks still in its original location in England. It has endured over 5 centuries of changes at the Tudor estate while maintaining its core function.

The bell's chiming marks daily time across the estate, with its strikes echoing over the buildings in a rhythm that visitors still hear today. This auditory presence has shaped life at Cotehele for centuries, creating a continuity between past and present inhabitants.

The mechanism is best viewed during a guided tour of the house, though the tower is accessible from the grounds outside. Visitors should ask staff about the best times to hear the strikes, as they happen regularly throughout the day.

The striking mechanism has never undergone a complete overhaul, despite running longer than most other historical clocks of its era. This makes it a rare example of original craftsmanship that has truly stood the test of time.

Part of: Cotehele

GPS coordinates: 50.49590,-4.22596

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:22