St George's Bristol
OPEN HOUSE & TOURS
Through the hall, down to the crypt, backstage and out into the gardens…discover the legacy of St George’s Bristol with a behind-the-scenes tour through its history.
Created in 1823 by architect Sir Robert Smirke (original designer of the British Museum) learn about its transformation from church to concert venue in the 1980’s, leading to it becoming one of the country’s leading music halls.
Behind the scenes tour (10am and 11.30am each day): Explore the history and design of both interior and exterior, including the striking contemporary extension.
Visit the gardens, backstage areas, the crypt and the hall itself, built almost 200 years ago for the purpose of preaching to the congregation and still celebrated for its famed acoustics.
Got the kids? A sensory arts trail is also available for families.
Key Information
- Address Great George Street, BS1 5RR
- Map Map coming soon!
- Amenities
Design Information
- Built1823
- Designed byRobert Smirke (original), Patel Taylor (renovation)
- Building styleGreek Revival
As wealthy merchants began to seek better living conditions beyond the original boundaries of the city in the 19th century, they enlisted esteemed architect Robert Smirke, who also contributed to the design of the British Museum, to create a church for the new parish of Brandon Hill. The usage was changed to the early 1980s as church congregations dwindled, and the building has since been an arts centre, with a large scale refurbishment of the venue in 1999 and a two-storey extension to the original building in 2017.