The bells in Highgate are hung for a style of ringing known as change ringing. The goal in change ringing is not to produce a recognisable musical tune, but for the ringers to work together to weave a pattern known as a method.

Each bell is hung in such a way that allows it to swing 360 degrees, giving the ringer the ability to control when their bell makes a sound. With this control each ringer places their bell within a sequence one after the other so that no two bells are ringing at the same time.

The most basic sequence is referred to as 'rounds'. This is when the bells run in sequence from the lightest to the heaviest bell producing a descending musical scale.

With accurate control of their bell each ringer can change the place of where their bell rings, not only in one sequence, but in each subsequent sequence. Having memorised a method each member of the band will know where their bell will fall in the sequence. Each change of position is how a performance is measured and from where the art gains its name: change ringing.