Bristol Cathedral

Bristol Cathedral stands on the western edge of College Green in the centre of the city, a striking medieval building that began life in 1140 as the Abbey of St Augustine. Following the dissolution of the monasteries it was refounded as a cathedral by Henry VIII in 1542, becoming the seat of the Bishop of Bristol. The west front and nave were completed in the Victorian era to designs by G E Street, giving the cathedral its present cohesive appearance.

The cathedral is internationally significant as one of the finest examples of a hall church, where the nave, choir and aisles all rise to the same height. This unusual layout floods the interior with light and creates a uniquely spacious feel. Inside, visitors can see the Elder Lady Chapel with its 13th-century carvings of animals and musicians, the star-vaulted choir, and the Norman chapter house, considered one of the most important pieces of Romanesque architecture in England.

Free to enter, the cathedral hosts a regular pattern of choral services, concerts and exhibitions. The cloisters and small garden offer a quiet retreat from the busy harbourside, and the building sits within easy walking distance of the M Shed, the SS Great Britain and the shops of Park Street.