St Werburgh's Church, Bristol

St Werburgh's Church is a Grade II* listed church in Bristol with a distinctive five-stage limestone tower featuring an octagonal stair turret, located on Mina Road. The interior space now accommodates a modern climbing facility with various wall sections and rope systems.

The original medieval church from Corn Street was relocated to this site in 1879, with portions of the original tower incorporated into the new construction. This move was part of Victorian-era urban development in Bristol.

The building represents the transformation of religious spaces, as it evolved from a traditional church to become Bristol's first indoor climbing center in 1988.

The church sits in a residential neighborhood that is easily reached on foot from the city center or local bus stops. The space inside allows climbers of different abilities to practice various techniques across multiple wall sections.

During the church's relocation in 1879, workers discovered roughly 100 coffins and 40 chests of human remains beneath the structure, which were then transferred to Greenbank Cemetery. These remains revealed the site's long use as a burial ground.

Location: City of Bristol

Inception: 1879

GPS coordinates: 51.47170,-2.57640

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:08