News / Castle Park
Fencing surrounds Saxon church
Fencing surrounds a corner of the historic heart of Bristol.
But rather than the long-awaited redevelopment of the area surrounding the ruins of St Mary-le-Port Church, it is due to filming taking place in one of the buildings next to the church.
Within the fenced off area which surrounds both the church and the building previously used by Lloyds, work has recently been taking place ahead of filming.
is needed now More than ever
The exterior of the former bank building has been transformed into a police station with a Scotland Yard-style sign saying ‘Bristol Metropolitan Police’.
A set has also been constructed within the building for what is believed to be Paramount+ production The Crow Girl starring Eve Myles, Katherine Kelly and Dougray Scott.
The former Lloyds offices has become a police station for the filming of ‘The Crow Girl’, adapted from the trilogy of novels by Erik Axl Sund- photo: Martin Booth
The three separate buildings surrounding the church might not be here for much longer.
Planning permission has been granted for a controversial scheme that would see new office blocks built with shops, cafes and restaurants on ground level.
The fencing has appeared around the tower of the church that was founded in Saxon times within Bristol’s earliest walls but was badly damaged in the Bristol Blitz and now remains languishing in one corner of Castle Park.
The ruins of St Mary-le-Port Church have been fenced off – photo: Martin Booth
The original St Mary-le-Port Church was built in 1170 and rebuilt in the early part of the 15th century.
Prior to the Luftwaffe bombing raid on November 24 1940, the church was barely visible as it was surrounded by high buildings in the densely packed area that we now know as Castle Park.
The church suffered extensive damage in the war and was kept standing, with developers MEPC promising to “giving St Mary le Port back its identity” under their proposals for the site.
Developers MEPC propose “a high-quality landscaped public space in and around the tower, to significantly improve its setting” – image: MEPC
Is anything better than what is here today? – photo: Martin Booth
Explore the ruins of St Mary-le-Port Church, the Old City and Castle Park on a walking tour with Martin Booth. To book tickets and for more information, visit www.yuup.co/experiences/explore-bristol-s-quirkiest-corners
Main photo: Martin Booth
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