It is based in the city of Bristol and covers South Gloucestershire and parts of north Wiltshire, as far east as Swindon.

The diocese is headed by the Bishop of Bristol and the Episcopal seat is located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, commonly known as Bristol Cathedral.

Nearly two years later, Bristol became part of the newly formed Diocese of Gloucester in 1541.

[1][3] After sixty years, the Diocese of Bristol was "reconstituted" on 9 July 1897, but with different boundaries.

The provincial episcopal visitor (for parishes in the diocese who reject the ministry of priests who are women) is the Bishop suffragan of Ebbsfleet, who is licensed as an honorary assistant bishop of the diocese in order to facilitate his work there.