Along with castles, cathedrals contain the best surviving medieval architecture in the country, often little changed since construction. Some have components from pre-Norman times though the majority of most was built between the 12th and 15th centuries, always Gothic in style, in the Early English, Decorated or Perpendicular variants, and hugely impressive in scale and in intricacy. Some cathedrals began life as Catholic institutions, the churches of Benedictine or Augustinian monasteries, being reconsecrated as Anglican after the 1539 Dissolution, and thus escaping the destruction that befell so many others. Cathedrals in the southwest are located in Brecon, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Gloucester, Hereford, Newport, Salisbury, St Davids, Truro, Wells, Winchester and Worcester.
There are hundreds of parish churches in the southwest, a few also with Saxon components, and their history spans well over a thousand years. Some are especially grand, resembling cathedrals in scale and decoration, such as Bath Abbey, Christchurch Priory, Church of St John Baptist (Cirencester), Great Malvern Priory, Ottery St Mary, St Mary Redcliffe (Bristol), Sherborne Abbey and Tewkesbury Abbey. Others are specially notable for some architectural or historic feature, for example the Saxon masonry of Deerhurst Priory, the stone carvings of Kilpeck Church, the ancient stained glass of Madley Church, the fortifications of Ewenny Priory and the ruined remnants of the original Malmesbury Abbey, adjoining the current, smaller church.
There are hundreds of parish churches in the southwest, a few also with Saxon components, and their history spans well over a thousand years. Some are especially grand, resembling cathedrals in scale and decoration, such as Bath Abbey, Christchurch Priory, Church of St John Baptist (Cirencester), Great Malvern Priory, Ottery St Mary, St Mary Redcliffe (Bristol), Sherborne Abbey and Tewkesbury Abbey. Others are specially notable for some architectural or historic feature, for example the Saxon masonry of Deerhurst Priory, the stone carvings of Kilpeck Church, the ancient stained glass of Madley Church, the fortifications of Ewenny Priory and the ruined remnants of the original Malmesbury Abbey, adjoining the current, smaller church.
Bristol A former abbey, which became a cathedral in 1542, and is designed mostly in the Decorated Gothic style, with components from the 12th to 19th centuries Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Beautiful parish church near the River Avon, built in the Gothic style mostly in the 13th and 14th centuries Rating: ★★★★★ |
Devon Large and very beautiful 12th century cathedral, featuring fine ceiling vaulting, ancient stained glass and a variety of carvings Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Grand, cathedral-like church from the 14th century, featuring intricate vaulting, medieval tombs and an astronomical clock Rating: ★★★★★ |
Dorset The longest parish church in England, built in the 12th century, and relatively unaltered since the Reformation Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Ancient parish church with with spectacular medieval architecture; formerly a Saxon cathedral and a Catholic abbey Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Fine Norman church with some Saxon components, originally part of a monastery; includes a vaulted crypt, a 14th century astronomical clock and a 17th century chained library Rating: ★★★★★ |
Gloucestershire One of the largest parish churches in the country, some parts dating from the 12th century. Impressive perpendicular gothic architecture Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Cathedral-like parish church, mostly dating from the 14th century, noted for its collection of early brasses Rating: ★★★★★ |
 One of the oldest parish churches in the country, the central section dating from the start of the 9th century Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Imposing, city centre Norman cathedral with many fine architectural features. Contains the tomb of Edward II Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Large Norman church, 'the cathedral of the Cotswolds', famous for its well-preserved Gothic architecture Rating: ★★★★★ |
Hampshre Huge, Gothic-style building, amongst the largest cathedrals in Europe; some parts are from the 11th century Rating: ★★★★★ |
Herefordshire Parish church with medieval, cathedral-like architecture. Founded in 1147 as a Cistercian monastery, and occupying just part of the original structure; ruins of other sections adjoin the current church Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Large and beautiful building dating from the late 11th century, constructed mostly in the decorated Gothic style Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Small Norman church in a quiet village, containing an unusually fine and varied collection of stone carvings Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Unusually large parish church from the 13th century, containing medieval stained glass, ancient wall paintings and a vaulted crypt Rating: ★★★★★ |
Monmouthshire Town centre parish church, mostly from the 18th and 19th centuries, but incorprating parts of a 12th century priory Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Parish church originally built for a Benedictine priory, though greatly modified in Victorian times. Contains a number of elaborate medieval tombs Rating: ★★★★★ |
Newport Small cathedral containing some sections from Saxon and Norman times, though most is from the 15th century, or later Rating: ★★★★★ |
Powys Gothic cathedral occupying the church of a former priory, with some sections from the 12th century Rating: ★★★★★ |
Somerset Fine parish church renowned for its perpendicular Gothic architecture, on the site of an ancient monastery; the oldest sections are from the 12th century Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Small parish church in a rural setting, some parts dating from the 13th century Rating: ★★★★★ |
 One of England's most beautiful cathedrals; built in a Gothic style, mostly during the 13th century Rating: ★★★★★ |
Vale of Glamorgan Parish church occupying part of a 12th century abbey, with a partly ruined fortified exterior Rating: ★★★★★ |
Wiltshire Parish church occupying part of an older, much larger building, the remainder of which was destroyed in the 1500s Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Victorian chapel occupying the chancel of a medieval church, adjacent to the ruins of the original nave Rating: ★★★★★ |
 One of the largest and most beautiful religious buildings of England, with the tallest spire in the country. Most of the cathedral was constructed in the 13th century Rating: ★★★★★ |
Worcestershire Large parish church, formerly part of a Benedictine monastery, with collections of medieval stained glass and wall tiles Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Picturesque parish church at the foot of the Malvern Hills, occupying part of a larger building from a 12th century Benedictine monastery Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Surviving section of the church from a medieval abbey, featuring intricate lierne vaulting, a huge tower and various historic artifacts Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Typically grand and ornate cathedral, built partly in the perpendicular Gothic style. Contains the tomb of King John, and memorials to many other important people Rating: ★★★★★ |