St Peter’s Church is the ruins of a medieval church in Castle Park, right in the centre of Bristol.

The site struck me as looking a bit neglected, but I liked the park around it and I think the whole place is worth a quick stop.

🏨 Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre – check prices and availability – is situated on the eastern edge of Castle Park. Some rooms offer views of the park, and you can walk to the church through it.

How old is St Peter’s Church?

St Peter’s Church is one of the oldest churches in Bristol.

The lower part of the tower dates from the 12th century. Most of the rest of the surviving structure dates from around 1400.

On the night of 24–25 November 1940, the church was burnt down during a German air raid. Only the tower and the stone walls, now roofless, remain. Today, the ruins serve as a memorial to the victims of the air raids on Bristol.

A visit to the church and Castle Park

St Peter’s Church is situated in the heart of Castle Park. The interior is closed to the public.

You can view the church from the paths in the park, which is open 24 hours a day and free of charge.

Next to the church, you’ll find a garden with medicinal plants, and in the park you can sit by the water. You can follow on from your visit with a walk along the water’s edge towards Bristol Harbour.

It’s just a few minutes’ walk from St Nicholas Market to the church. If you’d like to have both the market and the park within easy reach, take a look at hotels in Bristol’s historic centre.

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