I'm not one to preach, but this lovely non-denominational Christian church is a spectacular…read morebuilding in Clifton. If religion is your thing and you're a young person looking to get involved in friendly bibled-based activities, then Woodlands might be for you. They hold a wide range of events for students. They're modern in attitude and style and have a community of around 800 worshippers. Pop along for the popular weekly lunches held between lectures on a variety of interesting subjects - religious, educational, philosophical. There's enough food for an army at bargain basement prices, and you might leave feeling spiritually nourished too, if that's your sort of thing.

This is such a funny church. Every year they have a BBQ during freshers week you pay a pound and…read morethey feed you with burgers sausages, biscuits and cakes. Great?! Only however if you get there early they place is so full by 12 that it is unlikely that you will be able to get plate. This is all part of a movement to reach out to the students that walk past their door every day, and i think it works. It is an amazing building too, with the main church and a more modern crypt beneath it.

St Matthew's Church is located just of Cotham Brow in Bristol. It is in a lovely quiet area and…read morecould be easy to miss however there is a small road sign indicating the turning. The building itself is quite large for a local Church. The first thing you notice when you approach the building are the bright red doors which are actually very inviting! Inside, the building is very spacious yet cosy at the same time. Furthermore the Churchyard is really pretty with a couple of benches and pathways. The people I met were all wonderful. They were all so friendly and welcoming and made me feel at ease straight away. There is also lots going on almost everyday, indicating the Church is an important part of the community. There is also a playgroup on every weekday. I did notice that there wasn't any off road parking available and all the nearby roads were all full. However the Church is just a couple of minutes from the number 20/21 First bus stop.

In less than a week, this has been the second church that I had come across while in the UK, that…read morehad been bombed by the Germans as part of their WWII blitz. There is an Info Board located at the main entrance that gives you background including the fact that the original church was constructed by the Knights Templar, in the 12th century. Definitely also look up and checkout the leaning church tower, which gives the one in Pisa a run for its money. The Church's graveyard area has been turned into these beautiful gardens, which are maintained by English Heritage. The atmosphere is one of calm and serenity- a peaceful oasis of greenery amidst the hustle and bustle of city streets . I also liked that the surrounding garden path is wide and even, this making it suitable for wheelchairs and child friendly for strollers. I'm very intrigued by the fact that these bombed out Churches are standing as testaments for the WWII horrors and so it's weird describing these ruins as beautiful, but I feel there is indeed a weird sort of beauty in how this church as well as the one in Coventry are being naturally allowed to decay.. Yelp 167 / 2019

A historic haven near Broadmead. Peer in through the railings and you'll spy concrete slabs that…read moremark out where the exisitng temple stood in medieval times. The church structure you see today was all but destroyed by bombing in World War II, but the original temple was run by the Knights Templar, soldier monks who owned loads of land and religious buildings in Somerset. The churchyard is a welcoming little park now, good for picnics when the sun shines, and a poke around under an umbrella if it pours. English Heritage own it now, so it won't be going anyway for hundred of years. Phew. I like to think of it as a tranquil corner in the chaos of Bristol centre.

As fine an example of English Gothic as you are likely to find anywhere in Britain, it's hard to…read morebelieve that this imposing edifice is a parish church and not a cathedral. It totally dominates the area and its spire can be seen miles away. There is a lot of history here, which I didn't have time to explore thoroughly as I was mainly interested in the architecture. I was looking for a particular roof boss of a labyrinth (which is in the north aisle if you're wondering), but there's lots of other interesting things to see. I liked the water balance sculpture in the north transept, where a flow of water can tip a balance scale either way at random intervals, thus demonstrating chaos theory according to the blurb. Lots of other interesting carvings and wonderful roof bosses,nterestingly mostly in the north aisle. Also look out for the rusting iron tramline rail in the grounds, which was thrown over the adjacent houses in a bomb blast during WW2 and has been left in the ground here where it landed - a very sobering reminder of the Blitz.

In 1574, no less a person than Queen Elizabeth I is reputed to have declared the church of St Mary,…read moreRedcliffe to be the "fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England." And who can argue with that? The church owes its existence to the merchants who made Bristol a major mediaeval trading centre. Here, wines from France, sherry from Spain and port from Portugal was imported. Later, it was a major port for the New world, with tobacco and, less happily, the slave trade adding to its wealth. Although begun in the 12th century, the merchants paid for the church to be rebuilt in the English gothic perpendicular style in the 15th century, delivering a series of vast stone vaults, filled with light from huge panel windows. Even the transepts have vaulted aisles. The result is a church of larger and more impressive proportions than many a cathedral. Seen from outside, the tower (at 292ft (90m), it is the second highest parish tower in England), soars among the modern offices that surround it. The double porch, dating from the mid-14th century, is a marvel of gothic decorated architecture. The outer porch, with its seven-pointed arch, has a distinctly moorish feel, doubtless reflecting the travels of its benefactors abroad. Besides the architecture, the interior also has much of interest, particularly the various tombs, brasses and memorials. These include a number connected with the New World: Sir William Penn, father of the founder of Pennsylvania is buried here; and a whalebone, presented by John Cabot, after returning from his voyage to Newfoundland in 1497, hangs on a wall. Part of its glory is found by looking upwards: the roof contains over 1,200 decorated bosses where the ribs cross and intersect. The church has a cafe in the crypt open 10-16h, serving snacks and lunches. Music is also important to the church, whose impressive choir produces its own CDs. The website has German, French and Dutch language versions. *************************** Photos added 29-01-2008

Wedmore's magnificent parish church encompasses over 800 years of history and has many features of…read moreinterest. Wedmore first enters the history books as the place where, after the battle of Edington in 878, King Alfred signed a peace treaty with the Viking, Guthrum. The present church dates largely from the 15th Century, although its south door is from around 1200 and the South East Chapel and Chancel date from around 1300. The church comprises a spacious nave and aisles of 5 bays, with a south aisle chapel and north and south chancel chapels. The roofs of the South aisle chapel and North chancel chapel date from the 15th Century, the latter has the remains of some painted decoration. From the exterior, it's robust central crossing tower is a notable landmark. The church has some furnishings of interest: a 14th Century font, a well-preserved 15th Century wall painting of St Christopher; a classic 17th Century Jacobean pulpit; and some interesting memorials. My favourites were the brasses to George and Thomas Hodges of 1684 and 1583 - George depicted in a fine cavalier outfit. The church has a regular cycle of services: on Sundays the 10:30 services are delivered in a variety of styles, from traditional Eucharists to an informal cafe style church.

I have to say, I am not a particularly religious person, in fact I am not religious at all, so it…read morewouldn't be in my nature to visit, and indeed review, a church but I do feel as though this one deserves a mention. So, they offer all the normal church like services, mass on a Sunday at 8, 10 and 6pm, baptisms, weddings, funerals etc. However they also offer their space to a huge number of groups - a young people's club, reading group, various bell groups, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, Horfield Theatre Company, The New Mums Club, and another half a dozen or so. It's nice to see a church that has opened their doors up to the community and allow, not necessarily religious groups, to make the most of the space.

St Georges is a beautiful venue just off Park Street on the way up to Brandon Hill. Its…read moremagnificent palladian facade will prepare you well for a night of classical music. Their usual line up is classical, but they also have a really eclectic mix of Jazz and World Artists perfoming. The latter, especially, are often the type of acts who do tours of rarer artistic and cultural venues around the country. This means the acts are extremely unique, but in my experience so far, they're always utterly phenomenal and very worth knowing about and seeing. This is a venue Bristol should really be proud of - it's lesser well known than the more major music venues in the town, which is perhaps why they still have a massive degree of quality with regards to the acts they invite to perform. I strongly advise getting involved with St Georges, keeping track of the programme, and experiencing a night of music in this phenomenal venue.

A concert hall just off Park Street that puts on a lot of classical performacnes, as well as some…read morejazz and other genres. Run by the council, it offers cheap access to a bit of culture. It's quite an experience climbing the stairs and entering under the thick sandstone pillars, the building is very imposing. Opened in 1999 the interiors stayed smart since then, and they're currently celebrating their tenth birthday. If you enjoy classical music, or just want to sample it, the lunchtime concert series is a good opportunity and at only £7 (£4 for students, children and job seekers) an absolute steal. They have relaxing gardens as well, so you can bring a picnic and make a day of it. As a classical music venue it is excellent, with good accoustics and a grand open space. I've been told that St. Georges is one of the countries, as well as one of Bristol's, finest music venues.