You’ll find Stunning Architecture and Resounding Music at the Bristol Cathedral.
With only one night in Bristol, England, there wasn’t time to widely explore.
Luckily, we picked the Bristol Royal Marriott for our stay. Not only was the hotel a pure Marriott experience, it is located next to the Bristol Cathedral and to the well-used College Green Park.
Once we pulled ourselves away from the decorative Victorian architecture of the hotel, we took the bellhop’s advice and wandered to the Cathedral. The newly ordained minister, who was maybe in her early forties, invited us to make a complete tour of the church—all areas were open. She told us that the focal point of the sprawling building is the ornate choir and the large organ. As we walked through the empty space, I remarked, “Wouldn’t it be great to hear a choir?”
The Cathedral began as an abbey in the twelfth century and became a church in the 1500s when Henry the VIII dissolved the abbey but decided to rededicate it as a church versus letting it go to ruin. A virtual tour is available on the site, as well as an “explore the cathedral” which details the various sections.
Cathedral Entrance Choir as focal point – Built in 1298 Immense Interior 
We sat on the far right-organ above Coincidence-Gilbert (our Dad), Mary (our Mom) High Altar Eastern Lady Chapel Tomb of Bishop Bush (d. 1558). Shown as a corpse to remind us we’re mortal. 
Long view of Bristol Cathedral
New Food in a New Place
Hungry, we returned to the Marriott for food, but we were too early for the formal dining room to be open. We went to the bar, enjoyed a glass of wine and shared a delicious Cobb salad with an egg and watercress sandwich. After this trip, we’re fully addicted to watercress.
We decided an after-wine stroll was in order and wound up in front of the church. The sign announced that Evensong was about to take place. This was something new. An older gent, Nigel, welcomed us in and told us to sit in the choir. He said that they have a special treat because the Asbury University Choir, from Wiltmore, Kentucky was there! What?
As part of The Church of England, we found remnants to the Catholic Church we grew up in. I, ahem, had to nudge Jackie to stand, kneel, sit again as she found the music best absorbed by having her eyes closed. Because of the songs, it was an angelic service.
While inside, it had poured—torrentially—we would have been drenched had we roamed anywhere but to the Cathedral.
The park that had been full of people reading, throwing frisbees, and doing all manner of other things, had vacated because of the rain and left an appalling amount of trash in their wake. It was a shock to see it after the cleanliness of every place we’d been in Wales.
As we rambled around outside, we heard a few voices raised in song. The males from the Choir were gathered together to treat us to an a cappella tune or two. What a lovely way to finish a beautiful day in Bristol.
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I graduated in that cathedral! Thank you for sharing this, Rose dear! It brings back lots of good memories ❤️
Love,
Aggy x
Oh Agnes, we have SO much to talk about! Graduating from the Bristol Cathedral–what an amazing day that must have been! Hugs!
Stunning photographs, as usual, RoseMary! Oh, I do love London! It’s been a few years since my last visit but your post has brought it all back. I’d love to plan a return visit, but it’ll have to wait awhile since I figure I’m going to be pretty busy exploring my new home state for the next year at least. 🙂
London is a little like New Orleans for me in that it resonates more after the fact. New Orleans is overwhelming even though it is small, so it took a while for the experience to sink in. London, of course, is massive, but now that a few months have passed I appreciate it even more. So very glad we did the tour in order to see as much of it as we did, and get a fun education at the same time!
What an amazing Cathedral, the architecture is admirable. It’s a pleasure to visit such places via your posts and pictures!
Sushmita, I can only imagine that the religious buildings in India would also be utterly admirable!
That cathedral is very impressive. I am often impressed with these churches, it was built at a time when men thought this architecture was shown as their faith to God. There was even an architecture arms race, where cities were building cathedrals and churches to see who could build the largest and most lavish. Thanks for sharing.
This cathedral was great to see. I think the Milan cathedral remains the most astounding, though. From top to bottom it is an architectural feat that amazes me every time I’ve seen it. I don’t think God much cares about these things, but can understand that during the time when they were built, those folks may have thought that.
What an absolutely spectacular organ! These are so under-appreciated here in North America. How lovely that you got to hear the choir, and a capella at that. It sounds like music, food and architecture cam alive for you in Bristol, a winning combination if there ever was. Sounds like you made the perfect choice.
I am quite taken with those beautiful organs, Krystyna. To get to hear this one in full action was a great experience. Bristol was a treat!
What a grand cathedral. You certainly travelled whilst in the UK. Hope you enjoyed the a capella – this must have been a welcomed surprise.
I know Bristol is a stone’s throw from Wales. This is as far as I have been!
Watercress – have not eaten it in years. I recall we grew some at primary school.
I’ll be seeking out watercress, Phoenicia. It was a treat. Bristol gets you closer to Wales–you’ll make it there! The whole Evensong and a capella experience made our evening in Bristol magical.
That is a breathtaking cathedral. It is amazing to visit places with such history and beauty.
Having just watched “Wolf Hall,” Erica, it was fun to revisit our pictures of the cathedral and think: Damien Lewis stood THERE. ha! It is a captivating place. I’d go back.
What a beautiful cathedral. I love visiting churches and check out the beautiful ceilings and other artworks. It definitely looks like a place that needs more than one day.
We would have loved to have attended a full service there as well as read more about it and wandered around more. Just lovely.
Asbury is my alma mater. It was a delightful place to study as an education major and music minor. I never had the opportunity to tour abroad with any of the ensembles, but I have very fond memories of my four and a half years singing with the choir!
That’s fun, Christina! I’m glad that you found the post. It was sure a surprise to be that far from home and hear such a lovely choir.
I still an stunned that we went on this adventure! It was a beautiful cathedral and the service was so soothing…..loved it.
Me, too! What a total treat!
Inspiring post!
London up next, Nadine. Thought of you when I saw Big Ben since you saw it first!
I can only imagine the beauty of the choir in that stunning structure! As usual, you maximized your expedience…and yes to watercress:)
Jacquie, it’s one of those moments you wish you could film so you could enjoy it again, while at the same time wanting–as Jackie did–to simply sit and savor every second of the sounds and the sense of community. A perfect moment.
Wonder if I can grow watercress…
The cathedral is beautiful and I would imagine, like any churches, is has outstanding acoustics. I’m not particularly a fan of choral music but imagine it can be inspiring in a setting like this.
It was the setting, Ken, that made the music really resound for us. All so beautiful!
We didn’t discover what the unicorn’s story was, but I just showed it to my great niece as we celebrate her birthday with unicorns everywhere! She thought it was magical fun, too.
Hearing the choir was soothing and magical. I think I’ll seek out Evensong services!
What a neat description and photos of the cathedral with the added plus of knowing you heard a choir! Love the photos, especially the one showing the golden unicorn ontop of a building! Do you know what that’s about?