St Mary Redcliffe
A Gothic church that Elizabeth I reportedly called 'the fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England.' Its spire is 89 meters high, and entry is free.
The main structure of St Mary Redcliffe was built between the 13th and 15th centuries, funded by wealthy medieval merchants of Bristol. Elizabeth I is said to have described it as 'the fairest, goodliest, and most famous parish church in England.' The vertical Gothic nave vault features more than 1,200 gilded bosses, and the north porch is an unusual hexagonal Gothic design. The 89-meter spire is one of the tallest structures in Bristol. Inside the church are memorials connected to the father of William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, and a whale's jawbone. Entry is free (donations welcome). It is about a 5-minute walk from Temple Meads railway station and can be combined with the SS Great Britain and the harbour.
Opening hours
Mon–Sat approx. 09:30–16:30; open Sundays after services
Nearby sights
- Bristol Old Vic
- St Nicholas Market
- Bristol Harbourside
- M Shed
- We The Curious
- Wapping Wharf & Cargo
- Bristol Cathedral
- Cabot Circus