News / St Mary Redcliffe Church
Scared of heights? Look away now
If you have ever wondered what the view was like from the top of what for centuries was Bristol’s tallest building, you have come to the right place.
A team of steeplejacks from Hewish have climbed to the top of the 89-metre spire of St Mary Redcliffe Church, installing access ladders and inspecting the church’s lightning protection system.
Dawson Steeplejacks‘ ladders will now be used by another company to carry out stonework inspections and repairs.
is needed now More than ever
Ben Dawson, the sixth generation of his family to run Dawson Steeplejacks that was founded in 1837, told Bristol24/7 that to climb St Mary Redcliffe was “mega”.
He said: “There really isn’t many better feelings being that high up doing what we do even though it’s hard work getting ourselves up, excuse the pun!”
What is Bristol’s tallest building?
From when it was constructed more than 800 years ago until 1446, St Mary Redcliffe was Bristol’s tallest building. But then its spire was struck by lightning and for 330 years the tower was more of a stump.
In 1776, St Nicholas Church took the crown of our city’s tallest building only to be relegated when St Mary Redcliffe’s spire was restored in 1872.
St Mary Redcliffe was Bristol’s tallest building until 2020 when Castle Park View tower was constructed, although the tallest building in Bristol above sea level is Cossham Hospital in Hillfields.
Main photo: Dawson Steeplejacks
Read more: 14 things you probably didn’t know about St Mary Redcliffe
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
