The parish church of St Mary Redcliffe can be found on Redcliffe Way, to the east of the city centre.
It dates from the 12th century, and is an excellent example of the Perpendicular style of architecture. However the church has been greatly altered over the years, and the famous spire that dominates the city's skyline only dates from 1872.
Nevertheless, the interior of the church is particularly interesting for it contains, among other things, memorials to some of Bristol's most famous past residents.
And there are also such interesting artefacts as the armour of Sir William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, and a whalebone said to have been brought to Bristol from Newfoundland by John Cabot himself.
However, the church is most famous for the fact that in 1574 Queen Elizabeth I described St Mary's as "the goodliest, fairest and most famous parish church in England".
St Mary Redcliffe Church is open daily from 8am to 8pm between June and August, and from 8am to 5pm between September and May. Admission is free.
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