Whitechapel Bell Foundry

Founded in 1570 (or perhaps 1420), the Whitechapel Bell Foundry is the oldest manufacturer in London.  It's where Big Ben (the bell inside of St. Stephen's clock tower at the Houses of Parliament) and the Liberty Bell were made.  They are open for tours on a very limited basis -- only about 3,000 people a year can take the tour.

Bell molds were still warm from the previous day.  Molds are filled with "loam", a mixture of sand, clay, goat hair, and cow manure.

Bells in a mold
 
 The large furnace

Bells lying around everywhere

Molds for handbells

The large black form on the wall is for Big Ben

Bricks are used to form in the inner mold

 A bell for Elizabeth's diamond jubilee

 A frame for eight bells

 A 14th-century bell in for repairs

 Clappers

 A bell on a tuning table

A handbell on a tuning lathe