Clock Tower

The clock tower was erected in 1864. It is constructed of gault brick to the first stage, red brick with gault brick dressings to the second and third stages, and has a slate roof.

The tower is square in plan, with three stages and a slightly concave pyramidal roof capped with a small cupola, which has a steep pyramidal roof and a weathervane at its apex. The first stage uses gault brick with banded rustication and features open round arches on all four sides. The second stage is stepped in and has narrow round arched windows set within recessed rectangles on all four sides. Both the second and third stages feature gault brick quoins. The third stage has blind bulls eye openings set within recessed squares to three sides; the fourth bulls eye contains a clock.

The industrial revolution and the development of the railway network in the mid-19th century brought accurate, synchronised timekeeping to ordinary people. Clock towers, either attached to buildings or freestanding, became common features of town and village life. The Bildeston clock tower was designed for the benefit of the community, erected in 1864 at a cost of £200, funded partly from the sale of a charity property and partly by public subscription.

The clock tower is designated at Grade II for its well-balanced and pleasing design, effective use of materials and detail, and expression of civic pride. It is a relatively early example of a freestanding clock tower, funded partly by public subscription, and it illustrates the importance of time to the rapidly changing society of the mid-19th century. It has group value with the listed buildings around the Market Place.