The Open Guide to London: the free London guide - Differences between Version 7 and Version 6 of Bow Bells

"You owe me five farthings," say the bells of St Martin's.
"When will you pay me," says the bell of Old Bailey.
"When I grow rich," say the bells of Shoreditch.
"When will that be?" say the bells of Stepney.
"I do not know," says the great bell of Bow.

Turn again, Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London. The bells that called Dick Whittington back to London in the story.

One definition of a Cockney is "one born within the sound of Bow bell".

Contrary to what some believe, the Bow Bells are not in Bow Church in the East End, but at the Church of St Mary le Bow, on Cheapside in the City of London. The current ones are also not all that old, having been cast at the Whitechapel bellfoundry in 1956.

• All about the Bow Bells, from the St Mary le Bow website