St Andrew's Church is the Church of England parish church of Burnham-on-Sea in the English county…read moreof Somerset. Of medieval origins, the church is a grade I listed building, well known for its leaning tower. There has been a church on this site since the late 11th century. Between 1305 and 1314 the original church was either replaced or enhanced; the parts of that church that still stand are the south transept, the south door arch, the holy water stoop and the consecration cross. The tower dates from the late 14th century, and the nave from the late 14th/early 15th century. The north aisle and gallery were added in 1838, and the chancel arch modified at this time. The chancel itself was remodelled in 1878

St Andrew's really is a sea-side church. Built on sand dunes, it was originally only feet from the…read moresea, and the wind and salt-water smell are still ever-present. Although of uncertain foundation, there was certainly a church here in the 11th century, but most of the present structure dates from a re-building in the early fourteenth century, completed in 1315. The interior is whitewashed, with Decorated Gothic windows and a Victorian gallery and chancel. Although pretty enough, the two real reasons for a visit are the leaning tower and its sculptures. It is grade I listed. The tower leans because it was literally built on sand (in contravention of the biblical parable)! The main lean, to the north, is about 5 degrees off the vertical, although it also leans slightly to the west, too. It is clear that the lean began during its building, as attempts were made higher up the tower to correct the lean. As a result, the tower has a gentle curve. The effect is heightened by the fact that the windows and doors were inserted true to the vertical. The marble sculptures, designed by Sir Christpher Wren and carved by the famous wood sculptor Grinling Gibbons (1648-1721), have a remarkable story. Originally commissioned in 1685 by James II for the Chapel of Whitehall Palace, they comprise a carved reredos and cherubs flanked by angels. Moved in 1706 to the high altar of Westminster Abbey, they were acquired in 1820 by the then Bishop of Rochester, who was also Vicar of Burnham, and moved to St Andrew's. The reredos was placed behind the altar, but the cherubs and angels have subsequently been located around the church. Thus this small parish church has marble sculptures of high quality. Other items of interest are the barrel-vaulted roof, and a fine canopied pulpit and brass chandelier, all Jacobean in date. Oddly, the roof and pulpit are painted in a rather gaudy lime-green and gold scheme. There are also fragments of mediaeval glass in the south-west nave window. After your visit, stroll through the pretty church-yard and the adjacent sunken gardens, down to the sea, and a view of Burnham's unique light-house (see separate entry on Qype).

A very friendly and active church working alongside Acts2 Youth Church, whom are now partnered with…read moreWEC. Worle Evangelical church has normal meetings on a sunday starting at 10:30 and finishing around 2 hours later at mid day. Acts2 youth church meets in town on the sunday evening at 7 for 2 hours. The church in worle mainly caters to families, and emphasises on the church family. The acts2 church seems to attract the young adults and teens more. The churches focus their main efforts on the local commuinity (cause youth project) and missions personaly in Zambia (sub mission zambia).

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.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin dates from the 15th and 16th centuries and was restored in the…read more19th. It is wonderfully gothic. I first came to Batcombe to check out the village hall to get married in and fell in love with the Tim Burton-esque appearance of this beautiful old church. Its a bit crumbly with angled gravestones in the garden and is just full of character. The church has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building. Though I am not from the area, I fell in love with the village and the warmth and friendliness of the parishioners and was so happy when it was possible for us to marry here. Saying my vows in that church was very special to me. The bells in the church are absolutely amazing and there are some amazing town bell ringers who later showed me the blisters on their hands as they were ringing bells for so long as I was so late getting to the church! Whoopsy. If you're passing through the area, its worth a detour to Batcombe to see this beautiful church and have lunch in the pub. Batcombe ranks among one of my favourite villages in the UK.

Wells Cathedral is normally a incredible, giant, beautiful, stunning Gothic Cathedral...but during…read moremy visit the front was covered in scaffolding for ongoing maintenance, so I couldn't see the front at all. Otherwise the amazing Gothic architecture is daunting and mesmerizing. Construction began in 1175, making it one of the earliest Gothic cathedrals in England. Interestingly, it was abandoned for a period so you'll see etches and graffiti inside on walls, columns, and statues dating back as far as the 1600s. Worthwhile day trip from Bath when combined with a visit to the Bishops Palace. £20 for a combination ticket for the Cathedral and Bishops Palace(next door).

This is a a beautiful Gothic cathedral with a very ornate front, very interesting and unusual…read more"scissor" vaulting inside, which people often take to be modern but which dates to the 14th century, many interesting details such as the faces in the chapter house, and the second oldest clock in England (the mechanism of which is supposedly the 2nd oldest in the world but is now in London), and with the oldest functioning clock face in world. The clock if fun to watch when it chimes because of the figures of knights jousting during the chimes. There is also an Anglo-Saxon font which is over 1000 years old.

During our brief visit to Bath, we toured the Abbey. The grounds of the Abbey have a 1300 year…read morehistory with establishment of a convent. The current building was built in 1499 in a Gothic style with additions and repairs made through time. The fan vaulted ceiling (added in the 1500's) is beautiful. Over 3000 people are buried in the floor of the Abbey but the actual number of markers are 891. An additional 635 memorials line the walls of the Abbey, telling stories of the people of Bath. I was touched reading these stories. The Abbey, like many others in the U.K., suffered extensive damage during the Reformation. The monks were dispelled during that time and the Abbey became a local Church of England restored by the people of Bath. The building suffered damage again during the bombing Blitz of WWII and required restoration. Very little of the stained glass is original. Admission to the Abbey was £9. An audio tour is available and a pamphlet with tour stop information. For £18, a guided tour of the tower is available, but we didn't have time for that tour. In the basement is a small museum that houses the chronology of the site and some artifacts. A gift shop featuring local goods is accessible to all visitors. On the outside of the building, damage by vandalism to many of the figures over the doors is apparent. The building has endured through some tough times. I hesitate to mention the minor presence of modern clutter throughout the Abbey. For me, the clutter distracted from the history of the building. But the church is active for worship by local residents. The Abbey is well worth a visit if you like history and architecture. Plan an hour plus and wear comfortable walking shoes. Photos are allowed. Restrooms are available.

The Bath Abbey is still an active church that is still quite popular with many people and they also…read moredo online services. I have heard of this place a long time ago and have been here three times on different occasions and I always feel like there is so much history and also calmness here. The area is beautiful and the building is a wonder.