tours & attractions

Perth's Premier Tourist Attraction The Swan Bells is one of the world's largest musical instruments. The Swan Bells include the twelve bells of St Martin-in-the-Fields which are recorded as being in existence from before the 14th century and recast in the 16th century by Queen Elizabeth I. The bells were again recast between 1725 and 1770 by three generations of the Rudhall family of bell founders from Gloucester in England. From one of London’s most famous churches in Trafalgar Square, the St Martin-in-the-Fields bells have rung out to celebrate many historic events. England’s victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588, the homecoming of Captain James Cook after his voyage of discovery in 1771 and the World War II victory at El Alamein in 1942 are just a few of the momentous occasions marked by the bells. The bells have also rung in the New Year at Trafalgar Square for more than 275 years, and have celebrated the coronation of every British monarch since King George II in 1727. Children the world over have often sung of the bells in the popular nursery rhyme, Oranges and Lemons - “You owe me five farthings say the bells of St Martins”. How The Bells Came To Perth Commemorating Australia’s bicentenary in 1988, the twelve bells of St Martin-in-the-Fields as well as five specially cast bells were presented to the University of Western Australia, the City of Perth and to the people of Western Australia. The London diocese of the Church of England and the parish of St Martin-in-the-Fields gave authority for the project to proceed. The additional bells cast in 1988 include one from the City of London with help given by the City of Westminster, and a total of three bells bestowed by a consortium of British and Australian mining companies. Completing the ring of eighteen bells, a sixth new bell was commissioned by the Western Australian Government to mark the second millennium. For more information contact The Swan Bells Phone: 92188183