News / Castle Park
Archaeologists begin to explore Bristol’s historic city centre
Archaeological investigations have begun around St Mary le Port, an area was once the medieval heart of Bristol but today is made up of boarded-up concrete buildings that almost hide the 15th century church tower from view.
The start of works on the corner of Castle Park are taking place as developers look to gather information ahead of the latest plans to revitalise the site.
Plans are for a development “that will respect the historic context of the Old City and encourage new positive roles for the remains of St Mary le Port tower and nearby St Peter’s Church”.
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MEPC commercial director, Roz Bird, said: “Due to the site having been heavily bombed in the war, then bulldozed and redeveloped in the 60s, we are not expecting to find anything of major significance but with this being the birthplace of Bristol with so much history, it’s really important to understand as much as we can.
“Anything that is found will be made public and shared with the Council’s planning and archaeology teams.”
St Mary le Port from above – photo: YouTube
The three buildings on the site – Bank House, Bank of England House, and Norwich Union House – were purchased in October 2020 by Federated Hermes, a global investment manager.
Initial plans are vague but a website informs of the dream to “help revitalise a key area of Bristol”.
Developers promise “more jobs, offices, shops, cafes and restaurants” as part of a £90m investment, which will create “a new memorable and distinctive place that reinstates lost streets and routes that existed before the Second World War”.
Archaeologists have been digging holes that they can look into – photo: Martin Booth
Cai Mason, senior archaeologist at Wessex Archaeology, said that this is “a really exciting project to be involved in”.
“Firstly to see what remains of the medieval and later city might have survived the attentions of the Luftwaffe and post-war builders, and secondly to contribute towards bringing this long-neglected corner of our city back into productive use.”
St Mary le Port church is surrounded by unloved concrete buildings built on what was once the heart of the walled city of Bristol – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: ‘Any development on Castle Park must be a fitting addition to Bristol’s historic heart’
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