BELL SUNDAY

Bell Sunday is a national opportunity to recognise and celebrate the unique contribution that bell ringers make to the life of the church and to the soundscape of our communities. In 2026, Bell Sunday will be marked on Sunday 17th May, and bellringers across the country are invited to ring the church bells for the occasion.

Timed near to the feast day of St Dunstan (19th May), the patron saint of bellringers, Bell Sunday is more than a moment of thanks—it’s a chance to bring the art of bellringing into the spotlight. St Dunstan, a 10th-century Archbishop of Canterbury and skilled metalworker, is remembered for his early experimentation with bell casting and for encouraging the use of bells in parish life. His legacy lives on in the joyful sound of bells that still call people to worship, celebration, and reflection today.

Bell Sunday is supported by the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, as part of its Ringing 2030 vision to raise the profile of ringing, encourage recruitment, and affirm its place in church and community life.

Why not start your day with a visit to some of the churches on the Hoo Peninsula and the echoing sounds of their bells.