A special visitor climbed the 93 steps to the top of St Albans Clock Tower on Good Friday to open this year’s season.

The Mayor of St Albans Annie Brewster said she enjoyed playing 'tourist for the day'.
She said:  "I thoroughly enjoyed playing ‘tourist for the day’ with many of our knowledgeable Clock Tower volunteers. The views at the top are simply amazing and worth every one of the 93 steps.

"Enormous thanks are due to the Civic Society and the Arc and Arc for keeping this unique City Centre attraction open for us all to enjoy."

The Clock Tower is more than 600-years-old and opens every weekend from now to the end of September.

It is the only surviving medieval town clock tower in the country, built so the town could have its own time keeping, instead of relying on the Abbey, and still has its original bell, Gabriel, which was rung in 1455 when the first Battle of St Albans raged in the city centre streets.

On the way up, visitors can go through the room where the entire family of the shopkeeper lived, above that see the clock and the huge bell, Gabriel. On the way out, the door in French Row that says ‘Commit No Nuisance’ is said to be favourite spot for parents to photograph their children.

Five-year-old Xanthe Clifford, of Charmouth Road had been waiting since last summer to climb up the 93 steps again. Steeped in history, it is one of her most favourite things to do come Easter time.

The civic society is looking for volunteers to keep the unique building open to the public. For more information contact Jill Singer on either 838965 or joxhey@gmail.com or Helen Bishop on 01727 730 825.