Tree-ring analysis of oak timbers from the bell tower of St Mary Magdalen, Magdalen Laver was undertaken to date the belfry and surrounding outer wall. The belfry was thought to be of fifteenth century date and the outer wall a sixteenth century addition. The results of the tree-ring analysis indicate that the belfry was constructed after AD 1525 and that the outer wall was built in, or shortly after, AD 1534/5. Contrary to expectation the results indicate that the structure could be the product of a single building campaign or to have taken only a few years to complete.