Tom Tower is a bell tower in Oxford, England, named after its bell, Great Tom. It is over Tom Gate, on St Aldates, the main entrance of Christ Church, Oxford, which leads into Tom Quad. This square tower with an octagonal lantern and facetted ogee dome was designed by Christopher Wren and built 1681–82. The strength of Oxford architectural tradition and Christ Church's connection to its founder, Henry VIII, motivated the decision to complete the gatehouse structure, left unfinished by Cardinal Wolsey at the date of his fall from power in 1529, and which had remained roofless since. Wren made a case for working in a Late Gothic style—that it "ought to be Gothick to agree with the Founders worke"—a style that had not been seen in a prominent building for a hundred and fifty years, making Tom Tower a lonely precursor of the Gothic Revival that got underway in the mid-18th century. Wren never came to supervise the structure as it was being erected by the stonemason he had recommended, Christopher Kempster of Burford.
Tom Tower seen from Tom Quad
Print of 1675, before Wren's additions, David Loggan, Oxonia Illustrata
Tom Tower seen from St Aldates
Tom Tower seen from immediately adjacent to the St Aldates entrance to Tom Quad
St Aldate's is a street in central Oxford, England, named after Saint Aldate, but formerly known as Fish Street.
St Aldate's, looking north towards Carfax, with the Town Hall on the east side of the street
St Aldate's, looking south towards Tom Tower
Oxford Combined Court Centre
The northern end of St Aldate's.