Magdalen Tower, completed in 1509, is a
bell tower that forms part of Magdalen College, Oxford. It is a central focus
for the celebrations in Oxford on May Morning and only an hour outside of
Milton Keynes.
History of Magdalen Tower
Magdalen Tower is one of the oldest parts
of Magdalen College, Oxford, situated directly in the High Street. Built of
stone from 1492, when the foundation stone was laid,[1] its bells hung ready
for use in 1505, and completed by 1509, it is an important element of the
Oxford skyline. At 144 feet high, it is the tallest building in Oxford. It
dominates the eastern entrance to the city, towering over Magdalen Bridge and
with good views from the Botanic Garden opposite. The tower, joined to the
south range of college buildings, is built in four stories unequal in height.
Octagonal turrets encase the corners, the slightly larger northwest turret
encloses the spiral stair, lit by slit windows. The basement is windowless, the
second and third stages have small windows in three sides; the fourth,
principal storey is loftier, with a double window on each face divided by a
buttress rising through the panelled frieze and mock battlements, where it is
surmounted by a figure in a niche crowned by a pinnacle slightly smaller than
the four pinnacles that crown the corners. The tower contains a peal of ten
bells hung for English change ringing. They were cast at a number of different
foundries and the heaviest, weighing 17 cwt, was cast in 1623.
Magdalen Tower Bells
The bells are rung on many occasions during
the year by the Oxford Society of Change Ringers at the invitation of the
college. Such occasions include significant royal and college anniversaries,
and after some religious ceremonies in the College Chapel. The bells received
their last major overhaul in 2012, being returned to the tower in March of that
year. Members of Magdalen are able to procure the 10" iron key to the door
at its base from the porter's lodge. One of the best place for a visit near
Milton Keynes.
For more information about Milton Keynes visit: http://www.
