MF183 Temple Church

Remains of Temple Church in Temple Gardens, Bristol

The remains of Temple Church and its leaning tower, in Temple Gardens. A church was originally built on the site in the mid 12th Century by the Knights Templar on land donated to them by Robert, Earl of Gloucester. The original building was round.

The church currently visible dates from the 14th Century. It was bombed in World War II and gutted by fire. The lower three stages of the tower were built in the 1390s but now lean some 1.6 metres out of vertical. The top stage was added around 1460 and was intended to be vertical but now also leans.

The ruin is accessed via Church Lane, off Victoria Street. (BS1 6HY).