St Nicholas, Bristol

St Nicholas is a Grade II* listed church building in central Bristol featuring a prominent bell tower and ornate stone exterior. The structure displays architectural elements from multiple construction periods, enhanced by carved details and carefully crafted interior woodwork.

The church was founded in 1101 and later significantly rebuilt between 1762 and 1769 by architects James Bridges and Thomas Paty. This reconstruction came after demolition work for the Bristol Bridge project, which transformed the building's relationship to its surroundings.

The interior holds a remarkable altarpiece painted by Hogarth in 1755 showing religious artistic traditions of that era. This artwork reflects the church's role in Bristol's cultural and spiritual life over centuries.

Visitors can explore the 14th-century crypt which preserves remains of the original structure and portions of the Bristol town wall. The building is centrally located and accessible during regular opening hours for walking through at your own pace.

During World War II, the building sustained severe bombing damage inside but was carefully restored and later served as a museum from 1974 to 2007. After this period, it returned to active religious use, showing how the space has adapted to serve Bristol's community in different ways.

Location: City of Bristol

Inception: 12 century

Architects: James Bridges

Website: https://stnicholasbristol.org

GPS coordinates: 51.45395,-2.59230

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:06