John Summers Clock Tower Building Visit 10th October 2026

Plenty of visitors arriving.

Wilsons Journey time-line.

The start of the main staircase in the entrance hall.

This was a Coastal Cargo Vessel built for John Summers.

One of the period pictures on display. 

This one seems to be of the Shropshire Union Canal by Cow Lane Bridge.

One of exhibits about the steel works.

Some artifacts from the steelworkers.

Inside the board room.

An impressive desk for the secretary!

Any idea where this is?

This one is a bit easier!

The second floor staircase stained glass window

A different view of the clock from the outside veranda / patio.

Hawarden Bridge from the veranda / patio.

This way to the Community Garden.

The extent of Wilsons empire!

One view of the garden.

Looks like this was a crown green bowling square.

This picture depicts tthe swimming pool and fountain when in use.

The swimming pool now - not very inviting!

This is allthat is left of the fountain - no longer with tumbling water.

Grounds originally to be used by the staff at the Steelworks.

Statues of the three wise monkeys (see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil) at the entrance to the Community Gardens.

I remember visiting this dining area when I visited the steelworks on a school visit in the late sixties.

Hawarden Bridge - river still rising.

Last port of call before heading home.

Distance: 3 miles. Climb: 100' at a guess, there was an awful lot of steps in the clock tower!
Not really a a planned walk, but I noticed that Wilsons Auctions were having an open day to show off the John Summers Clock Tower building after they had restored it.

They were ding guided tours, if you pre-booked, I didn't, so I just wandered through each room and around the garden afterwards.

I started with breakfast at the Central Hotel in Shotton before strolling across Hawarden Bridge at 11-15  (the tide was pretty high and still rising!) to enter the building at the main entrance from the riverside path.

It was much busier than I expected, so taking photos wasn't easy, if you wanted take them without any people being in the picture.

The restoration is impressive, and it was well worth a change of plans and take the opportunity to see inside the building whilst it was being offered.

I returned to the Central Hotel, to sample another two beers in the Wetherspoon Beer Festival before heading home on the bus.