Bell Sound Effects

In the Avosound Online Sound Archive you will find a great selection of bell sounds and ringing bells and bell sound effects. The choices include bicycle bells, door bells, cow bell sound effects and sleigh bells, tubular bells, bell plates, and, of course, church bells.

Bell sounds are an everyday sound around the world -- and we often don't even notice them anymore because they are so commonplace (unless you live next door to a church, that is).

But bells are not only found in churches, they traditionally have also been serving other purposes (e.g. signalling and alarms). Maybe bells have been popular throughout the centuries because they are incredibly practical and yet so simple to use.

Bell Sounds - A History

According to archeological discoveries in China, bells date back roughly 3,000 BCE. These ancient bells were made from ceramics and pre-date the cast bells and the ones made of brass. It is said that even the Egyptians used to make metal bells and hang them from ropes in the towers. The sound of these bell plates could be heard many miles away, which made them ideal as alarm signals.

Bells Sounds - Made In China

The high quality of the metal bells hints at considerable metallurgical know-how in the 15th century BCE during the Chinese bronze age. Even back then, bells were cast with a very specific pitch in mind. In China they were used for ceremonial purposes, rituals and ceremonies of state. These bells also found use in temples and shrines outside of China, where they can still be found in great abundance.

Bells in the Temple

Bell sounds find frequent use in buddhist temples. Buddhist temples and monasteries often feature quite a number of standing or hanging brass and metal bells of considerable size that are struck with a wooden bar. Depending on the size of the location, you can find lots of smaller bells or sleigh bells ringing in the wind in stupas or at the top of temples.

Even today these bell sounds and noises can be heard in Myanmar's monasteries.

Bell Sounds - Metal Bells

In the western world, bell sound have traditionally had a strong symbolic connection to the church. To make their sound heard across many miles, the bells were hung in high towers. The mightier the building, the bigger the size of the bells. And the bigger the bell, the deeper its sound. These bells - several feet high and weighing tons - would then be hung in gigantic cathedral spires where they remain to this day, making their unique sound heard across the lands.

Bells were also mounted to public buildings to announce the time. Bells will either ring the time every quarter of an hour or every hour.

Bell Sounds - Church Bells

The sound of church bells differs depending on the size and architecture of the church. Monasteries, for example, tend to use smaller bells, while churches are a little more ostentatious about their oversized bells. Bells can sound individually, in groups, or all together.

In this context, bells have a ceremonial character as well. For festivities, all bells will usually ring at the same time. Sombre occasions might just require the sound of the deepest bell.

Bell Sounds in the Middle Ages

Apart from their religious connotations, bells were used in the middle ages to alert the people and the authorities. The striking of the bell(s) is used to announce the time to this day (much to the annoyance of many neighbours). Some of the more impressive bell towers even featured a glockenspiel––which made them known around the country. Alarm bells would ring whenever there was an attack or a fire. Those banished from the city or village could count themselves lucky if the only thing chasing them was the sound of the shame bell. Because the blood bells would announce an unkindly verdict from the worldly court in town.

Alarm Bells

As bells became easier to manufacture, cities were equipped with bells announcing alarms and storms. Before the constant cacophony of the industrial age, you could still the night porter's bell throughout the city. Bells announcing alarms and storms were equally prominent and their sound would carry from one end of the city to the other. The great benefit of bells was the amount of people you could reach in a short time and without much effort.

Bicycle Bells

To this day, bells play a significant role in our society: bells and sleigh bells can be found on ships; they were used on trains and streetcars before the invention of electrical or pressurised air horns; and, of course, they can be found on almost every bicycle.

Library Waveform Filename add Description info Channels Duration ShortID Category Subcategory
1 BBC Sound Effects Library BicyclesBells.BBC.EC25Dc.wav Bell, Bicycle: Many Bicycle Bells Ringing.
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2.0 0:53

Bell

Bell Bicycle

2 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC36Ak.wav Bell, Clock: Magdalen College Clock Striking Eight O"clock.
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2.0 0:48Bell Bell Clock
3 Sounddogs Sound Library Bells,Sleigh,Jangle,Distant.wav Bell: Bells Sleigh Jangle Distant
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1.0 0:08Bell Bell
4 BBC Sound Effects Library CathedralsLondon.BBC.ECD4.wav Bell, Church: Cathedral Atmosphere With Movement From Visitors And Distant Traffic. (Recorded At St. Paul"s Cathedral.)
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2.0 3:55Bell Bell Church
5 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC36Bi.wav Bell, Clock: Merton College Clock Striking Two O"clock.
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2.0 0:48Bell Bell Clock
6 Sounddogs Sound Library Ding,Bell,Warble,Wiggle,Low.wav Bell: Ding Bell Warble Wiggle Low
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2.0 0:02Bell Bell
7 BBC Sound Effects Library ChurcheBellsCroy.BBC.EC91Rb.wav Bell, Church: Church Bells, Ringing, Stop. (St. John The Baptist Church, Croydon.)
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2.0 3:01Bell Bell Church
8 BBC Sound Effects Library NorthMarston.BBC.EC105Pa.wav Bell, Clock: Outdoor Clock Striking, 1 O"clock St. Mary"s Church
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2.0 0:14Bell Bell Clock
9 SoundStorm Library Tones-BellLikeTone-Int-CU_2.wav Tones - Bell Like Tone - Int - C U - Hit To Large Full Glass Water Bottle W Piece Of Wood, Musical
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2.0 0:03Bell Bell
10 BBC Sound Effects Library CathedralsGermany.BBC.EC46E.wav Bell, Church: Cologne Cathedral, Single Bell Tolling.
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2.0 6:01Bell Bell Church
11 BBC Sound Effects Library ClockBuckingham.BBC.EC105Qi.wav Bell, Clock: Outdoor Clock Striking, Chimes And 6 O"clock SS. Peter And Paul
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2.0 0:54Bell Bell Clock
12 SoundStorm Library Tones-Bells-Doorbell-Int-_1.wav Tones - Bells - Doorbell - Int - CU - Single Ring
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2.0 0:04Bell Bell Door
13 BBC Sound Effects Library Godmanchester.BBC.ECD151a.wav Bell, Church: Half-muffled - Starting, Pealing, Stopping At St Mary The Virgin Godmanchester.
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2.0 3:29Bell Bell Church
14 BBC Sound Effects Library ClockChurchLond.BBC.EC105Ja.wav Bell, Clock: St. Clement Danes Church Clock, Striking Quater-hour
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2.0 0:23Bell Bell Clock
15 SoundStorm Library Tones-BicycleBell-2High-P_3.wav Tones - Bicycle Bell - 2 High-Pitched Rings
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2.0 0:06Bell Bell Bicycle
16 BBC Sound Effects Library Bells.BBC.EC1003Ab.wav Bell, Church: Six Cwt. Bell Ringing.
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2.0 2:24Bell Bell Church
17 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC36Gh.wav Bell, Clock: Trinity College Clock Striking Five O"clock.
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2.0 0:24Bell Bell Clock
18 SoundStorm Library Tones-ChurchBells-KrumlovCh.wav Tones - Church Bells - Krumlov Church Bells - Medium Distant - Pedestrian Movement And Walla Throughout, 3 Bells, All Bells Seem To Ring From Different Distances
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2.0 2:05Bell Bell Church
19 BBC Sound Effects Library BellsNorthMimms.BBC.EC91Ab.wav Bell, Church: Village Church Bells, Ringing Up Into Rounds. (Location Unknown.)
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2.0 3:15Bell Bell Church
20 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC36Pi.wav Bell, Clock: Wadham College Clock Striking Six O"clock.
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2.0 0:14Bell Bell Clock
21 SoundStorm Library Tones-FightBell-CU-FirstTwi.wav Tones - Fight Bell - C U - First Twice Then Singles
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2.0 0:59Bell Bell
22 BBC Sound Effects Library ClockCaius.BBC.EC36Rd.wav Bell, Clock: Caius College Clock Striking One O"clock.
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2.0 0:24Bell Bell Clock
23 BBC Sound Effects Library ClockBigBen.BBC.ECD14d.wav Bell, Clock: Big Ben Chiming Quarter To The Hour.
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2.0 0:23Bell Bell Clock
24 BBC Sound Effects Library BellsHandBells.BBC.EC25C.wav Bell, Hand: Small Bell, Short And Frantic Ringing.
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2.0 0:17Bell Bell Hand
25 Casablanca Sound Library Bell,Church,St James,Hour,12.wav Bell: Bell Church St James Hour 12
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2.0 1:07Bell Bell Church
26 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC36Wj.wav Bell, Clock: Christchurch College Clock Striking Seven O"clock.
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2.0 0:46Bell Bell Clock
27 BBC Sound Effects Library BellsCattle.BBC.EC25Db.wav Twelve Bells Ringing. (No Animal Sounds)
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2.0 1:19Bell Bell
28 Coll Anderson Sound Library EFX INT Door Bell 04.wav Bell: House, Interior, Door Bell, Quick Press, D, Dong
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2.0 0:06Bell Bell
29 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC36Fb.wav Bell, Clock: Clock Of The University Church Of St Mary The Virgin, Oxford Striking Five O"clock.
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2.0 0:39Bell Bell Clock
30 Sounddogs Sound Library Bell,Bicycle,Jingle,5,Slow.wav Bell, Bicycle: Bell Bicycle Jingle 5 Slow
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2.0 0:08Bell Bell Bicycle
31 Coll Anderson Sound Library EFX INT Broken Bell 01.wav Bell: House, Interior, Broken Electric Doorbell, With Dead Sounding Ding Dong
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2.0 0:04Bell Bell
32 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC48Uc.wav Bell, Clock: Cuckoo Clock Striking Three O"clock. (Cuckoo Only.)
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2.0 0:04Bell Bell Clock
33 Sounddogs Sound Library Bell,Bicycle,Ring,2,Slow.wav Bell, Bicycle: Bell Bicycle Ring 2 Slow
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2.0 0:06Bell Bell Bicycle
34 Rob Nokes Sound Library Bell,Church,1948,Large Two Meters,Old Iron,Light Bells Chimes,Clang Very Loud,Four Medium Bell Tolls,Close POV Below Bell,San Carlos,Uruguay,BG Light Town Traffic.wav Bell, Church: Bell, Church, 1948, Large Two Meters, Old Iron, Light Bells Chimes, Clang Very Loud, Four Medium Bell Tolls, Close POV Below Bell, San Carlos, Uruguay, BG Light Town Traffic
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2.0 0:38Bell Bell Church
35 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC48Re.wav Bell, Clock: Grandfather Clock Striking Eleven O"clock. (Bell Type Grandfather Clock With Whittington Chimes, Manufactured In London 1845.)
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2.0 0:47Bell Bell Clock
36 Sounddogs Sound Library Bell,Bicycle,Ring,Loose,Slo2.wav Bell, Bicycle: Bell Bicycle Ring Loose Slo2
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2.0 0:03Bell Bell Bicycle
37 Rob Nokes Sound Library Bell,Small,Ring,Clatter,Strong,Sustained,Clear,Measured,Series,Increases in Intensity.wav Bell: Bell, Small, Ring, Clatter, Strong, Sustained, Clear, Measured, Series, Increases In Intensity
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2.0 1:36Bell Bell
38 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC36Mk.wav Bell, Clock: Jesus College Clock Striking Eight O"clock.
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2.0 0:23Bell Bell Clock
39 Sounddogs Sound Library Bell,Boxing,Ring,7x.wav Bell, Boxing: Bell Boxing Ring 7x
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1.0 0:16Bell Bell Boxing
40 Rob Nokes Sound Library Bell,Hand,Metal,Clear,Bright.wav Bell, Hand: Bell Hand Metal Clear Bright
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1.0 0:02Bell Bell Hand
41 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC48Ya.wav Bell, Clock: Lantern Clock Striking One O"clock. (Domestic Lantern Clock, Manufactured 1615.)
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2.0 0:09Bell Bell Clock
42 Sounddogs Sound Library Bell,Sleigh,Single Ring.wav Bell: Bell Sleigh Single Ring
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2.0 0:01Bell Bell
43 BBC Sound Effects Library BellsChurches.BBC.ECD104.wav Bell, Church: St.Michael"s Church, St.Albans - Bell Strikes 9
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2.0 0:37Bell Bell Church
44 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC36Ph.wav Bell, Clock: Wadham College Clock Striking Five O"clock.
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2.0 0:12Bell Bell Clock
45 SoundStorm Library Tones-DoorBell-CU-Doorbell,.wav Tones - Door Bell - C U - Doorbell, Four Rings, Medium Pitched Vibrarting Metallic Ring
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1.0 0:20Bell Bell Door
46 BBC Sound Effects Library ClockCaius.BBC.EC36Sh.wav Bell, Clock: Caius College Clock Striking Eleven O"clock.
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2.0 0:47Bell Bell Clock
47 BBC Sound Effects Library ClockHampton.BBC.EC105Rc.wav Bell, Clock: Anne Boyleyn"s Clock Striking Three-quarters
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2.0 0:18Bell Bell Clock
48 BBC Sound Effects Library BellsHandBells.BBC.EC25Aa.wav Bell, Hand: Hand Bell Ringing. (High Note)
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2.0 0:36Bell Bell Hand
49 Casablanca Sound Library Bell,Church,Old,Hollow,Mid.wav Bell: Bell Church Old Hollow Mid
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2.0 0:09Bell Bell Church
50 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC36Xc.wav Bell, Clock: Christchurch College Clock Striking Eleven O"clock.
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2.0 1:00Bell Bell Clock
51 BBC Sound Effects Library ClockBigBen.BBC.EC105Ba.wav Bell, Clock: Big Ben Recorded Prior To Repair In 1956. 9 O"clock
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2.0 1:09Bell Bell Clock
52 BBC Sound Effects Library Copenhagen.BBC.ECD104d.wav Martinskirken Bell (Copenhagen) - Call To Mid-morning Service
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2.0 1:35Bell Bell
53 Coll Anderson Sound Library EFX EXT Ice Cream Bells 02.wav Bell: Bell, Exterior, Ice Cream Truck Bells Jingle, Ring And Sustain
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2.0 0:05Bell Bell Jingle
54 BBC Sound Effects Library ClockWhitchurch.BBC.EC105Vh.wav Bell, Clock: Church Clock Striking, 8 O"clock. (St. John The Evangelist)
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2.0 0:19Bell Bell Clock
55 Sounddogs Sound Library Bell,Bicycle,Jingle,1,Strong1.wav Bell, Bicycle: Bell Bicycle Jingle 1 Strong1
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2.0 0:02Bell Bell Bicycle
56 Coll Anderson Sound Library EFX EXT Old Bike Bell 60ft 01.wav Bell: Bell, Exterior, Old Bike Bell Rings From 60 Feet
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2.0 0:29Bell Bell Bicycle
57 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC48Tf.wav Bell, Clock: Cuckoo Clock Striking Six O"clock. (Cuckoo And Chimes.)
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2.0 0:08Bell Bell Clock
58 Sounddogs Sound Library Bell,Bicycle,Jingles,Random.wav Bell, Bicycle: Bell Bicycle Jingles Random
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2.0 0:12Bell Bell Bicycle
59 Rob Nokes Sound Library Bell,Antique,1800s,Polar POV,Hit,Chaotic,Many.wav Bell, Antique: Bell, Antique, 1800s, Polar POV, Hit, Chaotic, Many
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2.0 0:29Bell Bell Antique
60 BBC Sound Effects Library ClockGrandfather.BBC.ECD1_3.wav Bell, Clock: Grandfather Clock (1680) - Ticking
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2.0 4:07Bell Bell Clock
61 Sounddogs Sound Library Bell,Bicycle,Ring,Loose,3,3.wav Bell, Bicycle: Bell Bicycle Ring Loose 3 3
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2.0 0:06Bell Bell Bicycle
62 Rob Nokes Sound Library Bell,Small,Ring,Clatter,Long,Random,Series.wav Bell: Bell, Small, Ring, Clatter, Long, Random, Series
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2.0 1:44Bell Bell
63 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC209Dg.wav Bell, Clock: Grandfather Clock With St Michael"s Chimes, Striking Ten O"clock.
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2.0 0:57Bell Bell Clock
64 Sounddogs Sound Library Bell,Boxing,Ring,1x.wav Bell, Boxing: Bell Boxing Ring 1x
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1.0 0:12Bell Bell Boxing
65 Rob Nokes Sound Library Bell,Hand,Ceramic,Pure,Quick.wav Bell, Hand: Bell Hand Ceramic Pure Quick
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1.0 0:03Bell Bell Hand
66 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC48Yh.wav Bell, Clock: Lantern Clock Striking Eight O"clock. (Domestic Lantern Clock, Manufactured 1615.)
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2.0 0:30Bell Bell Clock
67 Sounddogs Sound Library Bell,Metal,Rhythmic,Soft,Medium.wav Bell: Bell Metal Rhythmic Soft Medium
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1.0 0:16Bell Bell
68 BBC Sound Effects Library BicyclesBells.BBC.EC25Da.wav Bell, Bicycle: Bicycle Bell, Single, Double And Frantic Ringing.
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2.0 0:26Bell Bell Bicycle
69 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC1004Af.wav Bell, Clock: Lincoln"s Inn Clock Striking Six O"clock.
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2.0 0:19Bell Bell Clock
70 Sounddogs Sound Library Bells,Paris,Ext,Kids,Med Dist.wav Bell: Bells Paris Ext Kids Med Dist
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1.0 1:26Bell Bell
71 BBC Sound Effects Library CathedralsLondon.BBC.EC2B6.wav Bell, Church: Bells: St. Paul"s Cathedral, H.R.H Prince Of Wales" Wedding, 29.7.81
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2.0 6:31Bell Bell Church
72 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC36Cd.wav Bell, Clock: Merton College Clock Striking Seven O"clock.
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2.0 1:03Bell Bell Clock
73 Sounddogs Sound Library Ding,Bell,Flat,Low,Rise,Lite.wav Bell: Ding Bell Flat Low Rise Lite
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2.0 0:01Bell Bell
74 BBC Sound Effects Library ChurchesLondon.BBC.EC91Hc.wav Bell, Church: Church Bells, Ringing Down With Rapid, Joyous And Random Ringing For Last Minute Of Recording. (St. Clement Dane"s Church, The Strand, London.)
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2.0 3:00Bell Bell Church
75 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC36Ja.wav Bell, Clock: Oriel College Clock Striking Ten O"clock.
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2.0 0:22Bell Bell Clock
76 Sonopedia SchoolBellRing_S08FO.2262.wav Foley, School, Bell, Ring
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2.0 0:07Bell Bell School
77 BBC Sound Effects Library CathedralsLondon.BBC.EC2B1.wav Bell, Church: Church Bells: St. Pauls, Some Distant Traffic.
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2.0 6:49Bell Bell Church
78 BBC Sound Effects Library ClockBuckingham.BBC.EC105Qd.wav Bell, Clock: Outdoor Clock Striking, Chimes And 1 O"clock SS. Peter And Paul
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2.0 0:37Bell Bell Clock
79 SoundStorm Library Tones-Bells-Doorbell-Int_18.wav Tones - Bells - Doorbell - Int - O S - Double Ring
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2.0 0:03Bell Bell Door
80 BBC Sound Effects Library CathedralsLondon.BBC.EC1_18.wav Bell, Church: Great Tom Clock With Street Atmosphere
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2.0 3:02Bell Bell Church
81 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC1004Db.wav Bell, Clock: St Magnus" Cathedral, Kirkwall Clock Chiming Quarter Past The Hour.
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2.0 0:12Bell Bell Clock
82 SoundStorm Library Tones-Bells-SleighBells-C_2.wav Tones - Bells - Sleigh Bells - CU - Jingling
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2.0 0:08Bell Bell Sleigh Bells
83 BBC Sound Effects Library ChurchesBells.BBC.ECD151a.wav Bell, Church: Rounds - Firing, Ends With Rounds, English Village Church.
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2.0 2:40Bell Bell Church
84 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC36Tc.wav Bell, Clock: Trinity And St John"s College Clock Striking Three O"clock. (Trinity Clock Strikes A Second Time For St. John"s College.)
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2.0 0:34Bell Bell Clock
85 SoundStorm Library Tones-ChurchBells-CzechVill.wav Tones - Church Bells - Czech Village Strba Church Bells - MCU - Interesting Resonant Characteristics With These Bells, 3 Tones Played In Different Combinations, Light Reverb
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2.0 1:40Bell Bell Church
86 Rob Nokes Sound Library Bell,Hand,Polar POV,Ring,Slow,Constant,x3,Some faint birds BG.wav Bell, Hand: Bell, Hand, Polar POV, Ring, Slow, Constant, X3, Some Faint Birds BG
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1.0 1:07Bell Bell Hand
87 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC209Ci.wav Bell, Clock: Grandfather Clock With St Michael"s Chimes, Striking One O"clock.
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2.0 0:32Bell Bell Clock
88 Sounddogs Sound Library Bell,Boxing,Hits,Many,Fast,High.wav Bell, Boxing: Bell Boxing Hits Many Fast High
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1.0 0:07Bell Bell Boxing
89 Rob Nokes Sound Library Bell,Hand,Ceramic,Pure,Excite.wav Bell, Hand: Bell Hand Ceramic Pure Excite
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1.0 0:03Bell Bell Hand
90 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC36Qi.wav Bell, Clock: Keble College Clock Striking Six O"clock.
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2.0 0:56Bell Bell Clock
91 Sounddogs Sound Library Bell,Large,Old,Hit,One,Chaang.wav Bell: Bell Large Old Hit One Chaang
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2.0 0:21Bell Bell
92 BBC Sound Effects Library BicyclesBells.BBC.EC1001Ca.wav Bell, Bicycle: Bicycle Bell Ringing.
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2.0 0:12Bell Bell Bicycle
93 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC1004Ae.wav Bell, Clock: Lincoln"s Inn Clock Striking Five O"clock.
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2.0 0:18Bell Bell Clock
94 Sounddogs Sound Library Bells,Jangley,Santa,Foley.wav Bell: Bells Jangley Santa Foley
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1.0 0:06Bell Bell
95 BBC Sound Effects Library ChurchesBells.BBC.EC1003Aa.wav Bell, Church: Bells Ringing At San Petronio Church, Bologna.
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2.0 1:08Bell Bell Church
96 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC36Bf.wav Bell, Clock: Merton College Clock Striking Half Past The Hour.
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2.0 0:24Bell Bell Clock
97 Sounddogs Sound Library Ding,Bell,Bend Up,Lite.wav Bell: Ding Bell Bend Up Lite
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2.0 0:01Bell Bell
98 BBC Sound Effects Library Godmanchester.BBC.EC91Na.wav Bell, Church: Church Bells, Half-muffled Bells Starting And Pealing. (St. Mary The Virgin"s Church, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire.)
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2.0 3:02Bell Bell Church
99 BBC Sound Effects Library ClocksChiming.BBC.EC36Jg.wav Bell, Clock: Oriel College Clock Striking Four O"clock.
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2.0 0:12Bell Bell Clock
100 Sonopedia DinnerBellDing_S08FO.857.wav Foley, Dinner, Bell, Ding
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2.0 0:01Bell Bell