Data Insights
Explore patterns, topics, and connections across our collection of stopped clocks through data analysis and visualisation
Topic Clusters
We've grouped the clocks by what they have in common - similar architecture, locations, or heritage status
Why They Stopped
Every clock in our collection has been individually researched using AI deep research. From each clock's history, we extract when it stopped, what caused it, and whether austerity or funding cuts are mentioned. The data below aggregates those individual stories into patterns.
When Clocks Fell Silent
For the clocks where we can identify a stopping decade from the historical record, the pattern is stark. Not every clock has a clear date — many simply faded from maintenance with no recorded moment of failure.
The Immediate Cause
The direct cause is almost always the same: a mechanism that wasn't maintained eventually fails. But "mechanical failure" is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The question that matters is why nobody wound, oiled, or repaired these clocks — and the decade data and austerity figures above point to the answer.
Geographic Distribution
Explore where stopped clocks are located across the UK
What Goes Together
When we tag each clock with its characteristics — Victorian, church, Grade II listed, ornate — some combinations keep turning up together. These are the strongest pairings: the traits that travel as a set.
Freedom of Information Analysis
Through 314 FOI requests to every local authority in England, we've uncovered how 45 years of policy systematically fragmented public clock infrastructure. 181 councils provided substantive data, documenting 516 council clocks. The data reveals an 84.4% accountability gap—most stopped clocks sit in buildings where FOI law can't reach.
Featured Stories
Four clocks, four regions, one systemic pattern. Each story connects a specific building to the broader policy failures that let it fall silent.
Geographic Distribution
All stopped clocks shown in gray. Filter by ownership type to see patterns of privatisation across the UK—ecclesiastical and commercial filters show ALL clocks of that type, revealing the full scale of fragmented responsibility.
Four Decades of Disinvestment
Scroll through the four political periods that transformed how the UK maintains civic infrastructure.
Ownership Breakdown
For every council-managed stopped clock, there are 2.1 stopped clocks in privatized buildings.
The Accountability Gap
83.5% of stopped clocks are in buildings outside FOI reach. Privatization creates literal transparency gaps.
Heritage at Risk
118 Grade I and II listed buildings with stopped clocks, 83.9% outside council control.