St Mary Redcliffe

Seven centuries of building

A church stood here by 1158, but most of what you see dates from a rebuilding begun in 1292, funded in large part by Bristol's merchants. The Canynges family paid for much of the nave around 1480, and William Canynges lies in a brightly painted tomb in the south transept. The spire was struck by lightning in the 1440s and only rebuilt between 1870 and 1872; the weathervane sits 84 metres above the ground.

What to look for

Start at the north porch, built around 1325 and one of only three medieval hexagonal porches in England. The room above it is linked with the poet Thomas Chatterton, and the church runs a free exhibition about him. Outside in the churchyard, a length of tram rail flung there by a bomb during the Good Friday raid of 1941 is still half-buried in the ground.

Planning a visit

The church publishes a free digital guide, heritage films and details of guided church tours on its website, and there is a café on site. Music is a big part of church life, with free lunchtime recitals and bellringing. It is an easy stop on the walk between Temple Meads and Queen Square, and Redcliffe's restaurants are close by.

Highlights

• Grade I listed Gothic church, rebuilt from 1292
• Hexagonal north porch of around 1325
• Spire completed in 1872, 84 m to the weathervane
• 1941 tram rail still embedded in the churchyard
• Free exhibition on the poet Thomas Chatterton

Good to know

• It is an active Anglican church, so parts may be closed during services and events.
• A free digital guide and guided church tours are listed on the church website.
• There is a café on site.

Frequently asked questions