The Victoria Clock Tower sits at the busiest intersection in Victoria, Seychelles, and has done so since 1903. It’s a cast-iron replica of a clock that was placed at the entrance to Victoria Station in London in 1892, commemorating Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee. Locals sometimes call it “Little Big Ben” because of its resemblance to the Houses of Parliament’s tower. The original cost to install it was around $468 — roughly $12,300 in today’s dollars — and it arrived dismantled in nine cases by mail steamer. Seven cases made it on February 11, 1903; the other two were mistakenly unloaded at Mauritius and arrived a month later.
This article covers the tower’s history, its architectural details, and what you’ll actually see when you visit. It’s useful for anyone curious about Seychelles’ colonial past, photographers looking for a central landmark, and families who want a quick, free stop in the capital. The throughline here is how a single imported structure became a fixed point in the country’s identity — from colonial symbol to national meeting spot.
Erected in April 1903, the Victoria Clock Tower is one of the oldest monuments in Seychelles’ capital and cost roughly $468 to install.
The clock tower is worth a 20-minute stop if you’re already in Victoria, but it’s not a destination on its own. The real value is understanding the story behind it — the mix-up with the shipping cases, the silver paint job in 1935, and the fact that the original manufacturer is restoring it in 2024. Without that context, it’s just a pretty pole in the middle of a roundabout.
History buffs
Photographers
Quick city stops
| Spot | Best For | Standout Feature | Time Needed | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Clock Tower | History, quick photo stop | Cast-iron Victorian design, four-faced clock | 15–20 minutes | Visit on a weekday morning before 10 a.m. for the quietest traffic around the roundabout |
| Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market | Local produce, souvenirs | Fresh fruit, spices, handicrafts | 30–45 minutes | Go early — stalls start winding down by 2 p.m. |
| Seychelles National Botanical Gardens | Nature, family outing | Giant tortoises, endemic palms | 1–2 hours | Bring cash for the entry fee — cards aren’t always accepted |
Victoria Clock Tower: A Cast-Iron Link to London
The tower stands roughly 25 meters (82 feet) tall at the intersection of Francis Rachel Street, State House Avenue, Albert Street, and Independence Avenue. It was made by Gillett & Johnson, a clockmaker and bell foundry based in Croydon, England. The design reflects Victorian-era architecture with intricate ironwork and a classic four-faced clock mechanism that lets you see the time from any direction. Originally painted black, it was painted lustrous silver in 1935 during celebrations for King George V’s Jubilee.
If you’re short on time, skip the tower and head straight to the market or botanical gardens. The tower is best appreciated as a quick stop between other Victoria sights.
Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market: Local Life Steps Away
A five-minute walk from the clock tower, this market gives you a look at daily Seychellois commerce. You’ll find fresh fruit, spices, vanilla, and handicrafts. It’s a good spot to pick up souvenirs that aren’t aimed at cruise-ship crowds.
Stalls start winding down by 2 p.m., so plan your visit for the morning. Cash is preferred at most stalls.
Seychelles National Botanical Gardens: Tortoises and Endemic Palms
About a 10-minute walk from the clock tower, the botanical gardens offer a quieter alternative to the city streets. The main draws are the giant Aldabra tortoises and the collection of endemic palm species, including the famous coco de mer. Entry costs a small fee — bring cash, as cards aren’t always accepted.
Visit the gardens right when they open at 8 a.m. — the tortoises are most active in the cooler morning hours, and you’ll have the paths mostly to yourself before school groups arrive around 10 a.m.
If you’re pressed for time, prioritize the tortoise enclosure and the coco de mer section. The rest of the gardens are pleasant but not essential.
Practical Section: Getting Around Victoria and Timing Your Visit
| Option | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Free | Short distances between clock tower, market, and gardens |
| Bus | Around 7 SCR per ride | Getting to Victoria from Beau Vallon or other districts |
| Taxi | 100–300 SCR depending on distance | Groups or when you’re short on time |
Best Times to Visit the Clock Tower
Weekdays are generally quieter than weekends. Early mornings (before 9 a.m.) or late afternoons (after 4 p.m.) offer softer light for photography and less traffic noise. If you’re in Victoria during a national celebration like Independence Day (June 29) or National Day (June 18), the tower becomes a gathering point for community events — expect crowds but also a more festive atmosphere.
What to Prioritize If You’re Short on Time
If you only have an hour in Victoria, walk from the clock tower to the market (5 minutes), spend 20 minutes there, then head to the botanical gardens (10 minutes on foot) for 30 minutes. Skip the tower as a standalone stop — you’ll see it as you walk between the other two.
The clock tower sits in the middle of a roundabout with active traffic. There’s no pedestrian access to the base — you view it from the sidewalk. Don’t attempt to cross the road for a closer photo; the traffic doesn’t slow down.
Photography Tips
The tower’s silver paint reflects sunlight well in the late afternoon. A wide-angle lens helps capture the full height from the sidewalk. If you’re using a drone, check local regulations — Seychelles has strict no-fly zones near government buildings, and the tower is surrounded by them. For ground-level shots, a compact camera with good stabilization works fine. The DJI Mini 4K is a lightweight option under 249g that doesn’t require registration, but you’ll still need to follow local drone laws.
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- The clock tower is a quick, free stop — pair it with the market and botanical gardens for a full morning in Victoria.
- Traffic around the roundabout is constant; view from the sidewalk and don’t cross for photos.
- National holidays add crowds but also context — the tower becomes a gathering point for celebrations.
Before You Go: Victoria Clock Tower Questions Answered
Can you go inside the clock tower?
No. The tower is a street monument in the middle of a roundabout with no public access to the interior. You view it from the surrounding sidewalks. The 2024 refurbishment by Gillett and Johnston involves removing the entire structure to another location for work, but that’s a restoration project, not a visitor experience.
Is the clock tower worth a special trip?
Not on its own. If you’re already in Victoria for the market, botanical gardens, or State House, it’s a five-minute detour. If you’re staying on Praslin or La Digue, it’s not worth a dedicated ferry trip unless you’re combining it with other Victoria sights.
What’s the best time for photos without crowds?
Weekday mornings before 10 a.m. The traffic is lighter, and the silver paint catches the morning sun well. Late afternoons around 4:30 p.m. also work, but school pickup traffic picks up around then.
Is the clock tower kid-friendly?
It’s a quick visual stop — kids will likely be more interested in the market or the tortoises at the botanical gardens. The roundabout traffic means you’ll need to hold hands near the curb. Our two found the story about the lost shipping cases more entertaining than the tower itself.
What’s the one thing most visitors miss?
The fact that the clock’s chimes were first heard on September 17, 1999 — nearly a century after installation — when the original spring-driven mechanism was replaced with an electronic one. Before that, the clock was silent.
Why a Single Imported Clock Became a National Symbol
The Victoria Clock Tower didn’t start as a beloved landmark. It was a colonial import, ordered from England and assembled on a busy intersection. But over 120 years, it’s become something else — a fixed point in a city that’s changed around it, a meeting spot for celebrations, and a physical link to the country’s colonial past that Seychelles has chosen to maintain rather than remove. The 2024 restoration by the original manufacturer is a rare act of historical continuity. If you’re in Victoria, spend the 20 minutes. Just don’t cross the road for the photo. For more ideas on what to do in the area, check out our guide to Seychelles off the beaten path.
References
Maarco Francis. “Clock Tower Seychelles.” Maarco Francis Travel, 2024. ↗
Inside Seychelles. “Seychelles’ 121-Year-Old Victoria Clock Tower to Be Fully Refurbished by Original Manufacturer.” Inside Seychelles, 2024. ↗
If you’re planning a longer stay, the month-by-month guide to Seychelles weather helps you pick the right season for your trip. For families watching their budget, the Seychelles on a budget tips cover practical ways to save without skipping the highlights.
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