Master Stonemason Tour

Here at Bristol Cathedral we are currently relaying the floor in the Seafarers' Chapel. Go behind the scenes on this free tour and meet master stonemasons from Cliveden Conservation as they guide you through their work. You'll uncover the stories behind the chapel and witness the progress of ongoing restoration efforts up close.

About the Seafarers' Chapel

The main body of the Seafarers’ Chapel was built between 1298 and 1350. It was redesignated as the Seafarer’s Chapel in the 1990s, in recognition of Bristol’s connection with the sea through exploration, trading and the navy. Some of the people memorialised in this chapel had close connections with the transatlantic trade of enslaved people. You can find out more about the Cathedral’s connection with the trade in the ‘All God’s Children’ exhibition during your visit.

Why this the floor being relayed?

The last major floor renovation in the Seafarers’ Chapel took place in the 1800s. Since then, millions of people have walked through the area which has worn away the stone. The floor is now uneven and slippery.

Accessibility improvements

The work to this chapel includes adding a hearing loop and a new sound system to improve the audibility of services and events in this space. We will also add three new purpose built ramps to the Chapel, enhancing level access to the east end of the Cathedral. Over the next few years we will be making many more improvements to the Cathedral’s accessibility – keep an eye out for future work.

What is the timeline for the restoration?

Work began in April 2024 and is expected to complete in early autumn 2024. This tour is a once in a lifetime experience to see the beautiful chapel during extensive restoration.