Bristol Cathedral

The building is about half Norman, the rest Victorian, and lots of memorials to famous people. Head for Poet’s corner half way down on the left for some of the city’s great and good, and a bronze plaque to a sailor who died chasing slavers in Africa and children’s reformer Mary Carpenter. Further down is a bust to Robert Southey and plaque to Richard Haklyut one of the promotors of early exploration. Some really old tombs as well, some misericords and great stone carvings in the roof. The Chapter House is a lovely calm place to sit and chill. Garden is great for coffee when the sun is out, café is ok. Friendly guides to welcome you. They have good concerts too.

Remarkable building. Everyone should visit, Amazing. Got no word to explain

We’re not religious by any means but if you’re in Bristol, you really should go here.
The architecture is AMAZING, the stain glass breathtaking.
For those that are religious, I’m sure you’ll experience something different.
No matter what your faith, it is a cathedral not to be missed just for the mere size it is.

Lovely old cathedral. Cool, calm and spiritual inside. I attended one of the services (Church of England, of course). Knowing a bit of the history of Bristol during the war, I am amazed that it was not badly damaged as it is so close to the docks.

Architecturally stunning and situated at the bottom of College Green, Bristol cathedral delinates the end of beautiful Bristol and the beginning of its modern eyesore.
Perhaps not strictly speaking entirely true, given that some of the city centre round Corn Street and St Nick’s market boasts some truly beautiful historic buildings, but the cathedral is something of an outpost of architectural glory at the end of Clifton.
Definitely worth a peak inside as well, make sure you look upwards at the fantastic gothic vaulted ceiling. I’ve always meant to check out one of the services (from a nonreligious perspective) but have never quite got round to it, however hearing some of the choirs from the outside suggests to me that they are good indeed.

Once a year my house mates and i make a trip down here to go to the remembrance day service.
It is safe to say that if you aren’t very religious but make a token trip once or twice a year, start coming here and you might make it more than a token event.
If your not a local, and if you are, read this bit: The spectacular Cathedral is awe-​inspiring, if it doesn’t inspire you with the power of God then it will probably inspire you with the power of man.

Bristol cathedral stands proudly opposite the more modern Council building at the bottom of Park Street. Perhaps best known as a busy venue for University of the West of England graduations, the cathedral is usually a much quieter location. The noise of the traffic, and the picnickers and skateboarders on the grass outside, is instantly cut off as soon as you step into this oasis of calm. The stained glass windows along one side of the main building are relatively modern, commissioned after the second world war to commemorate the different groups (fire-​fighters, air raid wardens, nurses etc) who were instrumental in saving the lives of Bristolians during the dark days of the Blitz. For anyone interested in local history, the cathedral is worth a look just for these, but there are also memorials to influential people living in the Bristol area which reach back to far earlier times. For the spiritually inclined, there is a small side-​chapel reserved for silent prayer, and for a donation of at least 20p you can light a candle at one of the shrines around the walls.
Do be aware that the silence of the cathedral is likely to be interrupted at random intervals, as the organists seem to practice whenever the mood takes them. Not a problem for those who like organ music, but a little annoying for those who prefer to pray in peace.

As Cathedrals go this is pretty standard. It looks pretty from the outside and the inside, but it doesn’t have the grandeur of York Cathedral or the world wide fame of Salisbury Cathedral. What it does have is regular amazing temporary art exhibitions. When I first went in I was genuinely shocked to see a modern art exhibition by pupils of a local high school. It featured some real controversial pieces, including some very non-​religious portraits of self hatred (or perhaps that is just how I interpreted it!). They have also hosted topical displays on Fairtrade produce and more traditional exhibits focusing on the war effort etc. Whether you are religious or not, it can be really awe-​inspiring to sit through a service in this cathedral — just make sure you pick the right one. I went to a reunion of Land Girls which was really touching. I met some of the inspiring women for tea and biscuits afterwards and they had some amazing stories to tell. A great setting for a great meeting.

From a travelers perspective, the Bristol Cathedral is a beautiful piece of architecture, inside and out. As do most churches throughout the UK and Europe, the history of the building, the congregation and the community are all readily available from booklets within the Cathedral.
At Christmas there are loads of activities to participate in, for religious and non-​religious. In summer and Autumn the surrounding grounds of College Green allow you to sit in the sun and take in the amazing exterior of the Cathedral. Though, there is nothing better than soaking up the rays on a Sunday afternoon ensconced in the sounding of the bells.

Bristol Cathedral is an imposing landmark and a beautiful building in the centre of town. It’s Bristol’s main Cathedral, and does a very good job of standing out. Situated on College Green, it looks over the comings and goings of one of the busiest parts of town.
The interior is quite spectacular, with marvellous gothic features, vaulted ceilings and beautiful stained glassed windows.
If you really want to see this place at its best come here when there’s a music concert or choir recital. Listening to the organ and singing choir playing equally gothic music as the building itself is a simply amazing experience, and really does justice to the grandeur of the place.

This cathedral is fully practising and also a popular haunt for tourists to the area. Overlooking college green and adjancent to the other charming Bristolian buildings around it, it is in a beautiful setting. You can walk in pretty much any time during the day, the cathedral welcomes visitors.
There are three services each day; morning prayer, eucharist and even song, which anyone is welcome to join. There is a small refectory inside offering light meals, snacks and drinks to visitors.

Founded in 1140, this impressive building is Bristol’s main cathedral. Imposing itself on College Green, this is a wonderful place to go whatever your religious beliefs. Gothic in style (according to my exhaustive wikipedia research), it has ornate vaulted ceilings that will have you craning your neck upwards as you wonder round. I could go on and on about the various little architectural details, but my writing probably wouldn’t do it justice. Take my word that this is a beautiful building.
It’s on the tourist trail, so see if you can go early in the morning. You’ll hear your feet echoing and when it’s quiet is the appropriate and best way to experience this space. If you are Christian there are various popular events at Easter and Christmas, with the carol service always packing out the place. Go to Bristol Cathedral for somewhere that is grand but peaceful.

Bristol Cathedral is a beautiful building, the archetecture is fantastic. It’s situated on College green, and is over 700 years old. Accross the green is the Council House, which is also a very beautiful building, at each end stands a gold unicorn, and infront, a beautiful fountain.
On a warm summer day, the green is packed with people, either eating their lunch, or just enjoying the sunshine and the view. It’s a lovely peaceful place to spend a few hours.

A stunning piece of gothic architecture on the relatively newly landscaped college green. Wander round inside or just sit and absorb the atmosphere. I would especially recommend the christmas carol concerts.

Bristol Cathedral is well worth a visit. This historic building is truly spectacular, and the architecture is breathtaking. Staff are on hand to help and to answer questions and are very helpful. A truly inspirational place. Also host to many events and concerts throughout the year.

From a travelers perspective, the Bristol Cathedral is a beautiful piece of architecture, inside and out. As do most churches throughout the UK and Europe, the history of the building, the congregation and the community are all readily available from booklets within the Cathedral.
As a tourist, at times it is just a joy to stand within such a place and appreciate the history and intricate detail.
At Christmas there are loads of activities to participate in, for religious and non-​religious. In summer and Autumn the surrounding grounds of College Green allow you to sit in the sun and take in the amazing exterior of the Cathedral. Though, there is nothing better than soaking up the rays on a Sunday afternoon ensconced in the sounding of the bells.

The choir at Bristol Cathedral has recently been voted Bristols best kept secret, and it is surely a magical experience to hear the transcendental sound reverberate around the cold stone walls of this majestic edifice.
The building started life almost nine hundred years ago, so fans of architecture will find plenty of interesting featured in its development over the centuries. For the whole family, there is a lovely café serving classic C of E titbits (tea, cake, et al), and overall the Cathedrals central location provides a sanctuary of quietude amongst the throng of metropolitan life.

I am not formely religious and I am not a historian so don’t expect this review to be based on history or religion. What I am appreciative of is nice place, nice things and nice environments. Bristol Cathedral fits all this. It sits on college green where you are likely to find some skate boarders, some students, a homeless person, office workers enjoying lunch (in the sun?) and a general passing of people. These mix of people enjoying college green with the backdrop of the cathedral is, for me, the perfect backdrop for the cathedral.
The building is imposing and I presume full of history. It is welcoming and the staff seem to be very friendly. I have visited on a number of occassions — some to think, others with friends or visitors to the city and other times to escape the weather including rain and heat.
I would recommend anyone to visit the cathedral — it is an inspiring place regardless of your faith or architectural preference.

Originally founded as an Augustine monastry in 1142, this beautiful Cathedral is an impressive building that contains a Norman chapterhouse, 14^th Century buttresses, many tombs and effigies and misericords.
Evensong is sung most days at 5.15pm, and there is an annual programme of concerts and recitals including Tuesday lunchtime sessions.

For much of England’s history, Bristol was the second city after London, and despite extensive bomb damage in 1940 – 41, traces still remain of its mediaeval past.
One of the best surviving buildings is its Cathedral. Once an Augustinian Abbey, the Cathedral is an excellent example of a former abbey church given a new use after the reformation. Its location — despite being fairly central — gives it a tranquil, undiscovered quality: a meditative calm, with few tourists to disturb the peace.
The building itself was founded in 1140. The Chapter House, which dates from 1165, is the main survivor of this period, and this superb, richly decorated room is one of most important pieces of Norman architecture in England. Most of the rest of the church dates from a programme of rebuilding begun in 1298 and completed in the 1480s.
This rebuilding introduced some important architectural innovations. The first is the nave itself: the aisles are the same height as the nave, effectively creating a large pillared hall. This design, now known as a ‘hall church’, became the prototype for many similar buildings in mainland Europe.
In 1330, work on the Choir was begun, and here another innovation can be seen: the arches of the aisles have no capitals, and so sweep uninterrupted from floor to the apex of ceiling vault. The effect is to give an unusual feeling of space and gracefulness.
The Abbey was dissolved in 1539, and it became the city’s cathedral in 1542. Much of the original nave was damaged at this time, and it had to wait for a Victorian restoration in 1877 and the completion of the west towers in 1888 for the building to attain its present shape.
The cathedral has a number of items of interest besides its architecture: there is a rare Saxon sculpture depicting Christ in the Harrowing of Hell (when the newly risen Christ descends to hell to assert his victory over evil, and release the souls of those who have not heard the Gospel), mediaeval glass in the Lady Chapel windows, interesting carved misericords (choir seats) from 1520, and an extensive set of tombs, including some spectacular ones of former Bishops.
After visiting the Cathedral, it’s a pleasant walk around the harbour to the church of St Mary, Redcliffe, one of England’s finest and most famous late mediaeval buildings (see separate entry).
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Photographs added 29-​01-​2008