Why You Should Step Inside The Bristol Cathedral

Bristol Cathedral

Skaters flip and spin beneath its lofty towers, determined commuters trudge past the door daily, busy bike-couriers whizz along its pretty pathways and curious tourists capture its fine flanks through the lenses of their cameras. But have you ever stopped and stepped inside? I’m talking of course of Bristol Cathedral, surely one of the city’s most impressive and precious buildings.

The cathedral was founded in 1140 as St Augustine’s Abbey, but then fell — like so many places of Catholic worship like it — under Henry the Eighth’s Dissolution of the Monasteries between 1536 and 1541. In the years then centuries that followed, it became the seat of the Bishop of Bristol and the cathedral of the new Diocese of Bristol.

Today this Grade I–listed building still dominates Bristol’s skyline, standing proud among towers — ancient and modern — including the Gothic Wills Memorial Building, the 15th-century St Mary Redcliffe and Castlemead, that 1980’s concrete monstrosity out by Cabot Circus…

Bristol Cathedral events diary

With a diary calendar full of events, piano recitals, choral performances and more, the cathedral welcomes us in for live music or quiet reflection. Looking ahead to the weeks and months to follow, here’s a little look at the events and gatherings booked in at the cathedral — from this week up to the Christmas festivities — that you might want to head along to.

Guided tours

Regular cathedral tours take visitors back in time to centuries gone by, led by knowledgeable guides eager to share their in-depth knowledge. Tours generally take place on Tuesdays at 2.30pm and Saturdays at 11.30am.

Undivided: stories and social justice (17th October, 31st October and 7th November)

Through the Autumn, the cathedral is running a diverse program of talks led by members of the Bristol community involved — in some way — in social justice in the city. More details here.

Lunchtime recital; organist David Bednall (Tuesday 18th October 2016, 1:15 pm)

Organist David Bednall is performing this free concert in the cathedral, demonstrating his considerable skills and showcasing the cathedral’s spectacular organ — the only one of its kind in the country.

Family Storytelling (Monday 24th October 2016, 10:30 am)

Bring the kids for an afternoon of tall tales and child-friendly fiction with author Mimi Thebo and her book ‘Dreaming the Bear‘. Part of the Bristol Family Arts Festival, this event is free but attendees are welcome to make a donation at the end. Aimed at children aged 8-12.

Parcels of Comfort: Family activities exploring WWI (Wednesday 26th October 2016, 10:00 am)

This ongoing series takes a look at the ways in which families maintained their bonds with loved ones in the trenches during World War I. With music from the era, children can make their own parcels and packages to add to the collection. Also part of the Bristol Family Arts Festival.

Cinema in the Cathedral: ‘The Medusa Touch’ with Bristol Film Festival (Saturday 29th October 2016, 7:00 pm)

Partly filmed on location in Bristol Cathedral, ‘The Medusa Touch’ is a 1978 British supernatural thriller directed by Jack Gold and starring Richard Burton. Get your tickets to the screening of the movie here.

Lunchtime recital; pianist Jacob Byrne (Tuesday 1st November 2016, 1:15 pm)

Jacob Byrne is a local pianist tinkling the ivories this November. The performance is free, with a collection at the end.

Lunchtime recital; organist Paul Walton (Tuesday 8th November 2016, 1:15 pm)

Paul Walton has been a dedicated music scholar since childhood. Academically, he studied up to Master’s level and today fills the role of Assistant Organist at Bristol Cathedral. This free recital is a fine showcase for his talents.

UWE Carol Service (Thursday 8th December 2016, 8:00 pm)

Bristol Cathedral plays host to a series of festive Christmas performances in December. This first one — brought to the Cathedral by the UWE orchestra, singers and choir — will consist of nine lessons and carols. More info here.

London Concertante; A Viennese Christmas by Candlelight (Saturday 10th December 2016, 7:30 pm)

Widely considered among the finest chamber ensembles in the country, London Concertante are bringing their popular Christmas concert to the hallowed halls of Bristol Cathedral. Under Guest Director Ben Norris, expect classics from Strauss, Tchaikovsky and Schubert. Tickets here.

Christmas with the Bristol Cabot Choir (Monday 12th December 2016, 7:30 pm)

Join the Bristol Cabot Choir for renditions of all your favourite festive songs and hymns. By mid-December Christmas will be well and truly upon us, so why not celebrate in style?! Tickets £15pp (£10 NUS and under 18s), available on the ticket line: 0117 923 0164.

Above & Beyond Christmas Star Concert (Thursday 15th December 2016, 7:30 pm)

Turn out in support of Above & Beyond — a Bristol-based charity raising funds to improve patient care in our hospitals — on the 15^th Dec in the cathedral Nave. With BBC Radio Bristol’s Phil Hammond on hand to compere, expect a delightful evening of festive cheer and plenty of support for one of the city’s most worthwhile causes.

Looking ahead to 2017…

Bristol Cathedral’s regular Wolf Hall tours bring English author Hilary Mantel’s historical fiction to life. Follow a guide through the cathedral’s cloisters and nave — where parts of the book were televised for the BBC — and listen as a skilled actor breathes fresh life into Mantel’s words. Tour dates tbc, check back here for more info.

Further reading

Check out the full list of Bristol Cathedral’s events, gatherings, recitals and tours.

Fancy a further look into Bristol’s colourful past?

Nudge Bristol writer and blogger @cjcallaghan on Twitter here.

Chris Callaghan

Born and raised on the banks of the Norfolk Broads, Chris made his way through Yorkshire, Normandy, Champagne, Asia, South America and London, before falling head-over-heels for Bristol’s vibrant street art and food scenes.

Chris writes for fun, for the creative buzz and for a living, and loves waxing lyrical on Bristol’s diverse culinary offerings. You’ll find him spinning through the Mendip Hills by bike, sharpening his squash skills, swimming in local lakes and rivers, or slurping fine zider on Bristol Harbour with his wife.