St John on the Wall, Bristol

St John on the Wall, Bristol What will you discover? Cared for by The Churches Conservation Trust, St John on the Wall is a heritage attraction in the heart of medieval Bristol.

St John's is part of the very fabric of Bristol - built into the city walls in the fourteenth century as a place for travellers to offer prayers before a journey, it housed a key conduit bringing water into the medieval city. With new interactive displays and activities being launched in summer 2016, visitors will be able to discover medieval Bristol from the elegant upper church and the hidden crypt below. Sitting over the old North gate into the city, it was built in the 14th-century as a place for travellers to offer prayers before a journey. The building of St John’s coincided with a period of great prosperity for Bristol. Walter Frampton (died 1388), who was mayor of the city three times, founded the church, and his splendid monument stands in the chancel. His effigy lies on a tombchest decorated with heraldic shields, with a long-tailed dog at his feet. Other monuments in the chancel, and in the early 14th-century vaulted crypt beneath, testify to the wealth and business activity of the city, in Medieval times and later. See, for example, the alabaster tomb in the crypt of a merchant and his wife, with their ten children represented in panels below. The interior of the church is impressively tall and graceful, with fine fittings dating mostly from the 17th-century. On the north side of the church, built into the city wall is a fountain, a branch of a conduit installed to bring water to the Carmelite Friary 700 years ago. It is said that at election times in the past it was sometimes made to run with wine.

🎻 Bach beneath Bristol's medieval walls. Just 48 hours to go!Join us at St John on the Wall for an extraordinary perform...
18/09/2026

🎻 Bach beneath Bristol's medieval walls. Just 48 hours to go!

Join us at St John on the Wall for an extraordinary performance of Bach's Orchestral Suites, arranged and directed by the acclaimed Margaret Faultless.

✨ This special concert will help raise funds for vital conservation work in St John's remarkable crypt, hidden within Bristol's medieval city walls. Join us for an unforgettable evening and help preserve this unique historic space for future generations.

🎟️ Book your tickets today: https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/whats-on/bristol-bachs-orchestral-suites

🗝️ Discover the Secrets Under the City campaign: https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/get-involved/give/support-a-campaign/bristol-secrets-under-the-city

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Although Bristol St John will sadly remain closed until 20th September 2026, it will be reopening in style!On 20th Septe...
11/09/2026

Although Bristol St John will sadly remain closed until 20th September 2026, it will be reopening in style!

On 20th September we welcome the classical music ensemble Music for Awhile to perform a unique arrangement of Bach's Orchestral Suites, directed by world-renowned musician Margaret Faultless.

All ticket proceeds will support the crypt conservation project - to book your place at this one-off event, please visit https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/whats-on/bristol-bachs-orchestral-suites

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Bristol St John's will be closed until Saturday 12th August.We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
24/08/2026

Bristol St John's will be closed until Saturday 12th August.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

24/08/2026
Medieval Crypt Under Iconic Bristol Church Receives Funding BoostThe Churches Conservation Trust recently launched a maj...
20/08/2026

Medieval Crypt Under Iconic Bristol Church Receives Funding Boost

The Churches Conservation Trust recently launched a major fundraising campaign to allow us to fund critical conservation work in our unique medieval crypt, with an ambitious target of £133,000 to reach.

Incredible local and national support has now seen over £55,000 raised for these crucial works, including an announcement this week of a £25,000 grant from the Pilgrim Trust, a UK wide independent grant-making charitable trust.

Director at the Pilgrim Trust Sue Bowers MBE says: ‘We are pleased that we can support CCT’s campaign to help save the crypt of St John on the Wall. As a Grade I listed building in need of urgent work, this project meets our priorities well, and it is a rare and special survival of a church being built into Bristol’s city walls. The Trustees noted that CCT was at the start of their fundraising process and were keen that the grant should help encourage the support of other sources of funding at this early stage’.

St John on the Wall is currently open on Wednesdays and at weekends. Also used as a creative space for community events and heritage activities, it welcomes 20,000 visitors every year.

To support the Secrets Under the City campaign and to find out more please see our fundraising page or call the Churches Conservation Trust fundraising team on 0800 206 1463

Tickets for the fundraising event on Sunday 20th September 2026 can be purchased on our website at https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/whats-on/bristol-bachs-orchestral-suites.



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Bach's Orchestral Suites at St John on the Wall, BristolJoin us for an unforgettable experience at St John on the Wall i...
14/08/2026

Bach's Orchestral Suites at St John on the Wall, Bristol

Join us for an unforgettable experience at St John on the Wall in Bristol on Sunday 20th September at 3pm as we host a concert of breathtaking Bach in the last surviving church built into Bristol's medieval city walls, raising money for crucial crypt conservation work.

Featuring unique arrangements of Bach’s Orchestral Suites performed on historical instruments by Music for Awhile and directed by Margaret Faultless, this one-off event is not to be missed.

An internationally renowned specialist in historical performance practice and a Churches Conservation Trust volunteer at Alton Priors in Wiltshire, Professor Maggie Faultless launched Music for Awhile in 1996. The ensemble of internationally renowned musicians has raised thousands for Alton Prior's new roof by hosting concerts in recent years, and is performing this concert in support of the Secrets Under the City project to conserve St John's 14th century crypt.

For full details or to book your ticket, please visit https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/whats-on/bristol-bachs-orchestral-suites

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29/05/2026

Address

Bristol
BS12EZ

Opening Hours

Wednesday 11am - 2pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+441179291766

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