HCT 2017 - Monarchs, Merchants and Memorials: Bristol Walking Tour

St John on the Wall, Bristol
Date:
4th October 2017
Time:
10.00-17.00
Price:
Member: £50.00
Non Member: £60.00
Address:
Meet at St. John on the Wall church, Bristol
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Unravel the stories of traders and kings in this one-day walking tour of Bristol.


Our meeting point and first stop, St. John on the Wall, is quite literally part of the very fabric of Bristol. Built into the city walls in the fourteenth century as a place for travellers to offer prayers before a journey, it is the only one of five churches that were built into Bristol’s city walls that still remains. The interior of the church is impressively tall and graceful, with fine fittings dating mostly from the seventeenth century.

Following St. John on the Wall we will visit Bristol Cathedral. Originally St. Augustine’s Abbey, the site become a cathedral following the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII. Here we will explore its many memorials and marvel at the architectural splendour exhibited throughout.

Our penultimate visit takes in the wonderful parish church of St. Mary, Redcliffe. Also built in the Gothic style, this city-centre landmark is of local, national and international significance. It is the final resting place of Admiral William Penn, naval commander of the Parliamentary forces during the Civil War, and the man whose name was given to the state of Pennsylvania in the United States of America. Throughout the rest of the church we will discover memorials to some of Bristol’s most prosperous and famous personalities throughout the centuries.

We move on from St. Mary to our last stop of the day, St. Thomas the Martyr. The current building was built in the late 18th century to replace an older medieval church. The 15th-century west tower was, however, retained, meaning the church offers an unusual combination of architectural and aesthetic styles. Once inside we’ll discover one of the best interiors in Bristol, with a fine 18th century organ case and other restorations excellently completed in the late 19th century.

Travel: Meet outside St. John on the Wall at 10.00. Depart from our final stop, St. Thomas the Martyr, on foot no later than 17.00.

What’s Included: The price includes lunch, expert tour guides and entrance fees (where applicable).

To book: to book more than one tour online, please complete a individual booking process for each tour. Alternatively, you can download and print a booking form and return it to us at The Churches Conservation Trust, Society Building, 8 All Saints Street, London, N1 9RL, or call us on 0800 206 1463 (Monday – Friday; 09:30-17:00).

Please note: In the unlikely event that any of the above tour details need to be amended before the tour, guests will be informed immediately. You will receive specific tour contact information nearer the time with your tour itinerary.

Bristol FAQs

  • What is the capacity on this tour? We’ve got space for 23 people, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
  • Where at St. John on the Wall church will we be meeting? We’ll be meeting outside the church’s main entrance on Broad Street near the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel.
  • I would like to stay in the local area the night before. Are there any hotels near St. John on the Wall church that you would recommend? The church is only a few doors down from the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel, but please also see Visit Bristol’s website.
  • I am planning to drive to Bristol. What parking arrangements are available nearby and how much does it cost? The nearest parking is NCP Bristol Queen Charlotte Street. It has 421 spaces, see NCP’s website for more information; The Mecure Bristol Grand Hotel also has limited parking. For alternative parking in the city please see Visit Bristol’s website.
  • What is the nearest train station and how frequently do trains arrive to and depart from it? Bristol Temple Meads runs direct services to London Paddington and other destinations. Journey times from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads are between 105 and 120 minutes, with a train twice an hour. For more information on times and fares please visit National Rail Enquiries or Trainline.
  • What are the lunch arrangements? We will be having lunch at the riverside Italian restaurant, Bella Vista.
  • Is there a charge for entry to Bristol Cathedral and if so, is this covered in the price of the tour? All admission fees are covered in the price of the tour, meaning you don’t have anything extra to pay for entry to Bristol Cathedral.
  • What happens if I am no longer able to make the tour once I have made my booking? If you’re no longer able to make a tour after booking, then please let us know as soon as possible. If you cancel you’re booking more than 1 month before your tour, then you’ll be entitled to a full refund. If you cancel within 1 month of your tour, then unfortunately we’re not able to offer a refund, however we’ll do our best to offer you a place on another tour.

 

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