Bristol Cathedral
Bristol Cathedral began life as a Norman abbey church, became an Anglican Cathedral after the Dissolution in 1539, and was almost entirely rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style in the late 19th century.
History
Bristol Cathedral began as the Norman St. Augustine's Abbey in 1140. The chapterhouse, still standing, dates from 1165, and the Elder Lady Chapel from 1220.
The Norman abbey church was rebuilt from 1298 onwards, but the new church was still incomplete at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 when its nave was demolished.
In 1542 the church was made the cathedral of a new Diocese of Bristol and was dedicated to the Holy and Undivided Trinity.
The nave was eventually built during the 19th century and the building was completed by two towers at the west end in 1888.
What to See
Bristol Cathedral is a hall church with nave, aisles and choir all at the same height, and the most significant example of a hall church in Britain. It is a Grade I listed building.
Bristol is also home to a Roman Catholic cathedral, Clifton Cathedral. And the Anglican parish church of St. Mary Redcliffe is so grand as to be occasionally mistaken for a cathedral by visitors.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity in Bristol; Bristol Cathedral |
| Type of site: | Cathedral |
| Faith: | Anglican |
| Status: | Active |
| Dates: | 1140; 1888 |
| Architecture: | Norman and neo-Gothic |
| Location: | College Green, Bristol, England BS1 5TJ |
| Bus: | 8 or 9 |
| Phone: | 01179/264 879 |
| Website: | http://www.bristol-cathedral.co.uk/ |
| Hours: | Daily 8am-6pm |
| Cost: | Free admission; £2.50 donation requested |
| Services: | Sunday: 7.40am Morning Prayer; 8.00am Holy Communion; 10.00am Cathedral Eucharist; 3.30pm Choral Evensong. Weekdays: Morning Prayer at 8.30am; Eucharist at 12.30pm; Evensong at 5.15pm (Saturdays at 3.30pm) |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Bristol Cathedral. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Bristol Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- Bristol Cathedral - official website
- Bristol Cathedral - Anglican Diocese of Bristol
- Bristol Cathedral - Frommer's Attraction Review
- Ancient Diocese of Bristol - Catholic Encyclopedia
