Pictures of Bristol Cathedral

a Cathedral in the town of Bristol, in the county of Somerset

Bristol Cathedral Picture Tour Hotels near Bristol Cathedral Submit a history of Bristol Cathedral Nearby Attractions Nearby Towns Bristol Cathedral Reviews Submit pictures Bristol Cathedral Map Add to favourites

About Bristol Cathedral

The great, stirring building of Bristol Cathedral was initially given cathedral status by Henry VIII, at this time it was a Norman monastic church dating from around the 12th-century. Very little survives from this period save for the chapter house, its adjoining buildings and the great gate-house with its 15th-century upper floor.

The chapter house has superb Romanesque decoration of interlaced arcading, it is a triumph of the artistry of early craftsmen, as is the carved patterning to its walls. The choir is medieval, showing fine misericords - of great interest is the carving of the Romance of Reynard Fox.

Interestingly, this cathedral begun so many centuries ago was only completed in the 19th-century when the nave was built and the two western towers added. It was designed to be a "Hall" church with aisles of the same height as the central part of the building, this is an unusual church feature, another is the vaulting to the central aisle and yet another appears in the ante-room to the Berkeley Chapel to the south of the choir, which shows an early piece of 14th-century skeleton vault.

Following the reformation the dedication of the cathedral was changed, it became the cathedral church of The Holy and Undivided Trinity. Apart from magnificent architecture, inside the church visitors can see a wealth of church treasures, these include fine monuments from several centuries. Scattered among the cathedral gardens are graves and tombs covering hundreds of years.

Readers will be interested to note that in 1978 the cathedral was used in scenes of the film "The Medusa Touch" which amongst other famous actors starred Richard Burton and Lee Remick. In the film the cathedral was mentioned as Minster cathedral, London.

On a pleasant summer day the rose garden to the rear of the cathedral is a pleasant place to sit and rest.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Bristol Cathedral.

Planning a visit? Please help support this website by booking your hotels near Bristol Cathedral and uploading your pictures.
Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Bristol Cathedral

Red Lodge, Bristol	(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)	Pictures
At-Bristol	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)	Pictures
Cabot Tower, Bristol	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)	Pictures
Georgian House, Bristol	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)	Pictures
SS Great Britain	(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)	Pictures
Clifton Suspension Bridge	(1.4 miles, 2.2 km, direction W)	Pictures
Ashton Court Estate, Bristol	(2.6 miles, 4.3 km, direction W)	Pictures
Oldbury Court Estate, Bristol	(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Tyntesfield	(5.1 miles, 8.1 km, direction W)	Pictures
Oldown Country Park	(9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction N)	Pictures

All attractions in Somerset
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Bristol Cathedral

Bristol, a Historic City in the county of Somerset (1.9 miles, 3.0 km, direction NE)
Bristol Zoo is not this great city's only claim to fame
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Severn Beach, in the county of Gloucestershire (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction N)
From this pleasant spot it is possible to get the most marvellous views of the two impressive bridges spanning the River Severn.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bath, a Historic City in the county of Somerset (11.6 miles, 18.7 km, direction SE)
Bath is an elegant city famous for its fascinating history, its beautiful Georgian architecture and its Roman remains.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cheddar, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction SW)
Often called 'Englands Grand Canyon' Chedder Gorge was carved out by a river that now runs underground.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Castle Combe, a Picturesque Village in the county of Wiltshire (16.3 miles, 26.3 km, direction E)
As recently as 2001 it was awarded the title of 'Most Picturesque Village' by British Heritage Magazine's 2001 Traveller's Choice Awards.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wotton under Edge, in the county of Gloucestershire (16.4 miles, 26.4 km, direction NE)
This charming Cotswold village boasts a finely restored 14th-15th century church which retains some good brasses and an old Organ...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bradford-on-Avon, in the county of Wiltshire (16.7 miles, 26.9 km, direction SE)
Beautiful old town with a rich mixture of mellow Bath stone properties to be seen along ancient winding streets.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wells, in the county of Somerset (17.1 miles, 27.6 km, direction S)
Wells, situated at the foot of the picturesque mendip hills, is most certainly one of England's most delightful cathedral cities.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wookey, in the county of Somerset (17.3 miles, 27.8 km, direction S)
It is a pleasant resort village made famous by the glittering limestone cavern known as "Wookey Hole" which comprises of several dramatic chambers.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Berkeley, in the county of Gloucestershire (17.3 miles, 27.9 km, direction N)
The town is mostly Georgian, with the most dominant feature being its centuries old castle, surrounded by buttressed walls which are 14 ft-thick in parts.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Somerset
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Redland Station	(0.9 miles, 1.5 km)
Bristol Temple Meads Station	(1.0 miles, 1.6 km)
M32 Junction 3	(1.1 miles, 1.8 km, direction NE)
M32 Junction 2	(2.1 miles, 3.3 km, direction NE)
Bristol International Airport	(7.1 miles, 11.5 km, direction SW)
Cardiff International Airport	(32.8 miles, 52.8 km, direction W)
Bristol Cathedral to London	(106.7 miles, 171.7 km, direction E)

Accommodation & Hotels near Bristol Cathedral

Hotel Name
Thistle Bristol	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
Mercure Brigstow Bristol	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Jurys Bristol Hotel	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
Berkeley Square Classic Hotel	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
Premier Apartments Bristol	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
Novotel Bristol Centre	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
Mercure Holland House Hotel Bristol	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
The Washington Hotel	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Clifton Hotel	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Portland Serviced Apartments	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts