Founders of the World's Finest Bells

CONSERVATION

KINGSTON ST MARY, OXFORDSHIRE - Many of the projects we undertake involve conservation. The 15 cwt six from Kingston St Mary, Oxfordshire are currently at Loughborough for such work. Their cast-in iron crown staples have been removed from the bells' crowns to prevent cracking as the iron rusts and expands, and specialist bronze welding has been carried out to strengthen the crowns and indented soundbows. All new fittings will be manufactured before the bells are rehung.
Photo: We've never seen it before - an inscription band attached to one of the bells by riveting - an after thought?

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Transferring molten bell metal from one of the furnaces to the crucible prior to casting. Visitors are able to watch from the specially constructed viewing gallery safely well above ground level.

What we do

Peals of bells from our bell foundry ring out from towers all over the English speaking world, with many of the world’s most experienced change ringers regarding them as the finest instruments of their kind ever to have been created.

Our Projects

With modern computer profiling we can, and do, cast bells of the same shape as bells produced by any bell founder. So if you want a Gillett & Johnston or Whitechapel bell, or one produced by Dobson of Downham Market or any other founder, just ask and we'll cast and tune it for you and it'll be a perfect match.

The Taylor's Foundry sign on the outside wall.

History of the Foundry

John Taylor & Co. continues a line of bell founding which has been unbroken since the middle of the 14th Century, when Johannes de Stafford was active only 10 miles from the site of the present foundry.

The Great Peter of York arriving at York Cathedral.

For the Enthusiast

Taylor Bell Foundry has probably cast more large bells than any other bell foundry in the history of bell founding. Unlike some other English Bell Founders, who contracted out the casting of large bells whilst putting their name on them, all the bell we list have been cast in Taylor's own foundry.