St Mary Redcliffe Church
St Mary Redcliffe Church
4.5
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
'The fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England' - Elizabeth I The Christian community has worshipped continuously on the site occupied by St Mary Redcliffe Church for well over 800 years. The first church may have built here in Saxon times, when Bristol first became a port – the original quayside was just across the road, below the red sandstone cliff from which this area gets its name, located on what is now Redcliffe Quay. The present church is a treasure of international importance, a Grade I listed building that is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. All the features of St Mary Redcliffe speak clearly of the beauty and the infinite variety in God’s world. The church building is open daily for all to visit, reflect, pray, join in formal worship or simply “be”. Everyone is welcome here. Use this page to find out more about our church and some of the famous people who have contributed to its rich history.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- Jemx3Bristol, United Kingdom64 contributionsJoin in on a tour of this beautiful churchI have visited this church so many times before but Today myself ,my parents and a 22 year old decided to join a guided tour . Our tour guide (Terry) was full of knowledge . We all learned something new and were shown things that we have never notice before . The tours are only £5 at the moment and ours lasted well over an hour so definitely worth the money.plus if your into poetry and fancy climbing up to the chatterton room you can learn all about Thomas chattertonVisited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 9 February 2024
- Wingfield73Chiang Mai, Thailand1,037 contributionsWow!This huge gothic church is far more impressive than Bristol cathedral. The long nave seems to stretch up to the heavens and the side chapels too are interesting. Lots of photos to be taken here and its only a five minute walk from Temple Mead station and a further five minute walk through wonderful eighteenth century square to the centre of town.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 May 2024
- permia65,967 contributionsJustifiably Grade I ListedA remarkable and vast place of worship is outstanding in every way. Deemed a superlative example of English Gothic style, it was inspiring to gaze at it. A beautiful tower and spire extends heavenwards to 84 metres. Leaving the enchanted exterior it was wonderful stepping inside. Stunning ornamentation and decorative flourishes abound. Particularly the columns and arches plus the breathtaking ceiling.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
893 reviews
Excellent
592
Very good
265
Average
32
Poor
1
Terrible
3
tubbies74
Pontypool, UK5,469 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
There are so many churches that are available to enter and explore in the UK..
This particular Church is a majestic, peaceful, and very informative place to step inside and be in ore of his splendid architectural design..
The vaulted high ceilings that guide your eyes to the altar ..
The Stone pillars that hold these ceilings up and the various stained glass windows that are so beautifully and artistically amazing to view..
Ornate wooden pews and areas of information are placed around this simply amazing piece of architecture ..
This building may indeed be a place of worship to many people, but whether you're a local citizen of the city or a visitor from far and wide, you will be very welcomed to enter the Church and spend time finding out about the history of which is given out here in words, plaques and glass...
You can find peace and tranquillity here, alongside local history about the merchants who once lived in Bristol
This particular Church is a majestic, peaceful, and very informative place to step inside and be in ore of his splendid architectural design..
The vaulted high ceilings that guide your eyes to the altar ..
The Stone pillars that hold these ceilings up and the various stained glass windows that are so beautifully and artistically amazing to view..
Ornate wooden pews and areas of information are placed around this simply amazing piece of architecture ..
This building may indeed be a place of worship to many people, but whether you're a local citizen of the city or a visitor from far and wide, you will be very welcomed to enter the Church and spend time finding out about the history of which is given out here in words, plaques and glass...
You can find peace and tranquillity here, alongside local history about the merchants who once lived in Bristol
Written 2 April 2023
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.
matthow
Newport, UK432 contributions
Apr 2022
This is well worth a look. Certainly testament to the wealth that flowed through Bristol, in my towns and cities this church would qualify as a cathedral itself. Nice ladies looking after it who give you an info sheet at the beginning , (make sure you return it!). The ceiling is truly impressive and you should take the time to read some of the memorials. There is too much really there to go into in this review but I would go here over the main cathedral.
Written 6 April 2022
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.
Jemx3
Bristol, UK64 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
I have visited this church so many times before but Today myself ,my parents and a 22 year old decided to join a guided tour . Our tour guide (Terry) was full of knowledge . We all learned something new and were shown things that we have never notice before .
The tours are only £5 at the moment and ours lasted well over an hour so definitely worth the money.plus if your into poetry and fancy climbing up to the chatterton room you can learn all about Thomas chatterton
The tours are only £5 at the moment and ours lasted well over an hour so definitely worth the money.plus if your into poetry and fancy climbing up to the chatterton room you can learn all about Thomas chatterton
Written 9 February 2024
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.
permia
Ireland65,967 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
A remarkable and vast place of worship is outstanding in every way. Deemed a superlative example of English Gothic style, it was inspiring to gaze at it.
A beautiful tower and spire extends heavenwards to 84 metres. Leaving the enchanted exterior it was wonderful stepping inside.
Stunning ornamentation and decorative flourishes abound. Particularly the columns and arches plus the breathtaking ceiling.
A beautiful tower and spire extends heavenwards to 84 metres. Leaving the enchanted exterior it was wonderful stepping inside.
Stunning ornamentation and decorative flourishes abound. Particularly the columns and arches plus the breathtaking ceiling.
Written 20 June 2024
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.
clf198
Durham, UK48 contributions
Apr 2019
Beautiful architecture, wonderful windows and a quiet place to sit and think when in a busy city. Nice grounds with rails thrown up and embedded following WW2 bombing of the city. Watch the steps outside which are a little uneven and may not be great
if suffer from balance issues.
if suffer from balance issues.
Written 13 February 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.
Bellini6
UK347 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Fantastic church. The North porch alone is amazing but wait till you get inside. Stunning ! Start on the outside with the grotesques and animal carvings. The inner porch has a beautiful vaulted ceiling. Staff were welcoming and offered us a printed guide. Really enjoyed our visit
Written 22 February 2023
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.
Wingfield73
Chiang Mai, Thailand1,037 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
This huge gothic church is far more impressive than Bristol cathedral. The long nave seems to stretch up to the heavens and the side chapels too are interesting. Lots of photos to be taken here and its only a five minute walk from Temple Mead station and a further five minute walk through wonderful eighteenth century square to the centre of town.
Written 14 May 2024
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.
Navigate30451
Bristol1 contribution
St Mary Redcliffe is the tallest parish church in england. Built between 1327 and 1389.An interesting non-architectural feature involves a trip to the church grounds on the south side of the church. Here, near the fence you will see a length of railway track protruding from the ground at an angle. The reason it is here? Courtsey of the Luftwaffe in WWII a bomb landed on a nearby railway line and the piece was hurled over a row of housing and rested where it still stands today!
Written 8 May 2003
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.
Nathaniel B
Dallas, TX79 contributions
Oct 2019
From my journal:
Yesterday we visited St. Mary Redcliffe, “The fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England,” as Queen Elizabeth remarked on the occasion of her visit in 1571 – and she’d seen a few!
We were in time to sit in on a sung service – I always prefer to go to a service if possible, and “feel” the church being used for what it was designed to do. The was even more special: For the first time in my life, I heard a 32-foot open wood organ stop, something you feel more than hear, and this particular Harrison & Harrison organ (1912, refurbished in 2012) is a very famous example of the very finest English organ-building. It is stunning. (From a note from Robert Gage: “The 32’ rumble was undoubtedly an open wood. This is much more powerful (one can hardly say ‘louder’) than a stopped wood (which would probably be called Subbass – in Germany, Untertsatz). The bottom note is the next C off the bottom of the piano – 16 vibrations per second! The lowest pipes are about a foot square, or even more. It is an English invention!”)
Yesterday we visited St. Mary Redcliffe, “The fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England,” as Queen Elizabeth remarked on the occasion of her visit in 1571 – and she’d seen a few!
We were in time to sit in on a sung service – I always prefer to go to a service if possible, and “feel” the church being used for what it was designed to do. The was even more special: For the first time in my life, I heard a 32-foot open wood organ stop, something you feel more than hear, and this particular Harrison & Harrison organ (1912, refurbished in 2012) is a very famous example of the very finest English organ-building. It is stunning. (From a note from Robert Gage: “The 32’ rumble was undoubtedly an open wood. This is much more powerful (one can hardly say ‘louder’) than a stopped wood (which would probably be called Subbass – in Germany, Untertsatz). The bottom note is the next C off the bottom of the piano – 16 vibrations per second! The lowest pipes are about a foot square, or even more. It is an English invention!”)
Written 14 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.
Helen S
Windsor, UK27 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
Visited this Church on the way to the train station. We were greeted by a lovely man who told us about the church and gave us a very helpful information card to guide us round the church. When we arrived the bells were ringing and then the choir began practicing for Evensong which was delightful. There was a lot to see and we were so glad we had stopped.
Written 16 April 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.
I hope to get to the organ recital on thursday by car from Stoke-on-Trent. May I park at the church for this? Also where is the nearest free overnight parking?
Written 13 September 2016
I am sorry but I'm not able to answer your questions, as I don't know the area well enough. I recommend calling St Mary Redcliff, as I'm sure that they will be able to assist you with the info you need. Their tel number is 0117 231 0060
Good luck and enjoy the recital.
Written 14 September 2016
There are some hotels reasonably near and I parked there. No questions were asked. Don`t miss this wonderful place
Written 22 June 2016
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