The Lord Mayor's Chapel
The Lord Mayor's Chapel
4.5
About
The Lord Mayor’s Chapel is the only remaining building of the Hospital of Saint Mark. When it was built in about 1230 it was connected to the Abbey of St Augustine, known today as Bristol Cathedral. Along with the Abbey of St Augustine, it closed in 1539 when Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church to form the Church of England. The Hospital of Saint Mark was bought in 1541 by the Bristol Corporation. In 1722 the Lord Mayor’s Chapel became the official place of worship of the Lord Mayor of Bristol. It is one of the only two remaining Lord Mayor’s churches in the country, with the other one being St Lawrence Jewry in London. The Lord Mayor’s Chapel is Grade I listed and features some of the most stunning examples of medieval architecture in Bristol. Visitors will be awed by the fan vaulted ceiling and the ornate Spanish tiled floor in the side chapel, as well as big stained-glass window from William Beckford’s ill-fated Gothic Revival masterpiece Fonthill Abbey.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
33 reviews
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aveagoodtime
Bristol, UK286 contributions
Dec 2019
St Mark's is a hidden gem. Many people must walk past the Chapel without ever considering what is behind the doors.
Although the Chapel (currently) is only open for Services and special events, it really is worth a visit.
There is a lot of history to this venue which you can read about when you enter.
My tip is to look at the website before visiting so you know something about the venue - especially the opening hours.
Although the Chapel (currently) is only open for Services and special events, it really is worth a visit.
There is a lot of history to this venue which you can read about when you enter.
My tip is to look at the website before visiting so you know something about the venue - especially the opening hours.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChurchCrawler
Bristol, UK85 contributions
Jul 2011 • Friends
Grade I listed, the Lord Mayor's Chapel stands opposite the cathedral and is owned by the City Council. Several steps lead down from College Green into the church itself. Long nave with a wonderful panelled ceiling in dark wood with details picked out in gold. Many memorials, including to the Berkeley family in the chancel. Medieval glass including panels from continental Europe. Do not miss the little fan-vaulted Poyntz Chapel accessed by a small door under the tower to the right of the main altar.
The Lord Mayor's chapel is normally open to the public Wednesday to Sunday 10am - 12noon and 1pm - 4pm.
The Lord Mayor's chapel is normally open to the public Wednesday to Sunday 10am - 12noon and 1pm - 4pm.
Written 8 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JuneBug1939
Weston super Mare, UK4,732 contributions
Nov 2016
It happened to be the 11th November when we visited this chapel again and we were delighted to sit and hear the choir and musicians rehearsing for an Armistice Day concert later that day. The organ was in full voice, the choir in full throat, the musicians in full spate! We sat there enthralled for quite a while! Absolutely fabulous. And amongst such beautiful carvings, original pews (no re-ordering here, thank goodness!). We were thrilled and came away on a cloud of happiness!
Written 13 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tumsie
Bristol, United Kingdom19 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
I am sorry to say when I arrived for the 4 o’clock service of carols today I was greeted by a very grumpy lady (who I think was the same lady she sped through one of the readings with no feeling at all. Surely if we want to attract people to our services a smiling greeting of welcome would be a good start
Written 24 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca H
12 contributions
Nov 2019 • Friends
I took my mother in law who was visiting from London in here today as she had never been able to see it on previous visits to us. She was blown away by the beauty of it, however the experience was rapidly spoilt by a curt and unsmiling cleric and a woman who we imagined was somehow involved with the chapel. The vicar asked if we were visitors and I politely explained that while I had attended many a candle light carol servive over the years, my mother in law had never been in until today. We were then told in no uncertain and unsmiling terms that vsitors were not permitted and we should leave. I explained that we had seen the sign outside which stated that visitors were welcome at certain times of the day (we were within that time) but were then reprimanded for not noticing the sign beneath it which said visitors were not permitted. The vicar then went on rather pointedly 'Well maybe you should come on a Sunday' My lovely mother in law smiled and explained this wouldn't be possible as she lives in London .. at which point he muttered and turned away. Our visit could have been so much nicer with a few smiles and some common courtesy .. it doesn't take much ! I would also suggest that if they don't want visitors they should remove the sign outside and bolt the doors firmly from the inside. A real shame that a place of such beauty is being spoiled by the rude and unwelcoming few.
Written 2 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimberly Williams
San Antonio, TX27 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
This is a gorgeous church. Small inside, yet full of detailed woodwork and stained glass. They place plaques around to inform you about the history. The organist began practicing as we walked in which added a lovely touch to our visit as the music was quite moving.
If you enjoy visiting churches, looking at architecture or just want a comfortable place for some quiet reflection, definitely check this place out. We loved it!
If you enjoy visiting churches, looking at architecture or just want a comfortable place for some quiet reflection, definitely check this place out. We loved it!
Written 8 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clive F
Bristol, UK1,278 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
It is by a historical quirk that this chapel (not a church, as it has no parish) is owned by the local authority: at the dissolution of the monasteries Bristol Corporation bought the monastery of which this was the chapel from King Henry VIII. It is still a functioning place of worship, unusually using the Book of Common Prayer for its services.
The title more usually used for it is The Lord Mayor's Chapel.
As well as being beautiful inside, the chapel has an excellent choir, a distinguished musical director and a recently restored organ. As its west end looks on to College Green, it is easy to miss when passing. It is well worth a visit, and even more rewarding to attend a service here.
The title more usually used for it is The Lord Mayor's Chapel.
As well as being beautiful inside, the chapel has an excellent choir, a distinguished musical director and a recently restored organ. As its west end looks on to College Green, it is easy to miss when passing. It is well worth a visit, and even more rewarding to attend a service here.
Written 14 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RodMayall
Bristol, UK159 contributions
Oct 2020
Well worth a visit. This unique chapel is almost lostbin amongst the shops. Opposite the council house, it has beaten the drive to lose all our past.
Written 29 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JuneBug1939
Weston super Mare, UK4,732 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
A hidden gem, a must see inside! Such marvellous old pews (thank goodness they haven't replaced them with chairs!), stained glass windows, wonderful choir stalls. A haven of peace in the busting City Centre.
Written 22 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erkki L
Espoo, Finland565 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
This church is just opposite the cathedral and is beautiful and very special. You find tombs of knights who helped to build the old hospital next door! Some of the items are from the old temple church.....
Written 21 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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