St Paul's Church, Clifton, Bristol

St Paul's Church in Clifton is a three-story building featuring a stone tower with Georgian-style architecture and ornate plaster ceilings and stone columns throughout. The structure reopened after comprehensive restoration and now functions as a multipurpose venue.

Daniel Hague designed this Grade II listed building, which was constructed between 1789 and 1794 and received four bells cast by John Rudhall of Gloucester. The original plan called for ten bells, indicating a more ambitious initial design.

The church now serves as home to Circomedia, a circus skills school that uses its historic rooms for training and performances. Visitors often see acrobats and performers practicing with equipment set among the ornate plaster ceilings and stone columns.

The building is accessible following comprehensive restoration and now serves various purposes including circus classes and cultural events. Visitors should check ahead to learn which activities are taking place, as usage varies by day.

Local residents affectionately call it the Wedding Cake Church because of its distinctive tiered tower, which stands out from other church architecture in the region. This nickname is so common among locals that it appears frequently in conversations about neighborhood landmarks.

Location: City of Bristol

Website: http://stpaulsclifton.org.uk/spc

GPS coordinates: 51.45910,-2.61130

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:22