Welcome to St George’s Hall, Liverpool. Recognised as one of the finest neoclassical buildings in the world, this history-steeped Grade I listed building has earned a stellar reputation as a landmark venue for weddings, corporate events, live performances, exhibitions, tours and immersive experiences since its official reopening by King Charles III (then known as Prince Charles) back in 2007.
Situated opposite Lime Street station, St George’s Hall forms an intrinsic part of Liverpool’s William Brown Conservation Area and provides a magnificent welcome to the city, reflecting the pride and passion of its Victorian creators…
The Birth of St George’s Hall
Liverpool had long desired a grand hall for festivals and concerts – and in 1838, a foundation stone was laid to celebrate the coronation of Queen Victoria*.
Harvey Lonsdale Elmes © National Portrait Gallery, London
The following year, proposals for new law courts for the rapidly expanding port were also unveiled.
Design competitions were announced for each building, offering prizes of 250 guineas and £300 respectively and attracting dozens of entries from the most eminent and experienced architects of the age.
Yet it was a little-known 25-year-old, Harvey Lonsdale Elmes, who triumphed in both competitions.
The concert hall was to be built through public subscription, but with funding slow in materialising, in 1840 Elmes was asked by the town council to create a new design amalgamating law, order and entertainment under one roof. The result was what is now St George’s Hall.
Charles Robert Cockerell
Work began on the imposing neoclassical public building in 1841.
Elmes died prematurely in 1847, and the task of overseeing the Hall’s completion initially fell to the corporation surveyor John Weightman and structural engineer – and Elmes’ friend – Robert Rawlinson.
Architect Charles Cockerell was appointed in 1851 and it is he who was responsible for much of its rich and splendid interior.
St George’s Hall was opened with great ceremony in September 1854, with Liverpool architect Joseph Boult declaring it: “One of the most important architectural works which this country has produced since the Reformation.”
*The foundation stone laid in 1838 did not form part of the final construction, which began in 1841
St George’s Hall, Liverpool © Liverpool Record Office
Heritage & Architectural Feats
“…possibly the only building where you could be tried for murder, have a ball or listen to a concert all under one roof.” – BBC Archives
The above quote is testament to the unique concept and design of St George’s Hall. While strict law enforcements were being wielded through the use of the courts and holding cells, lavish parties were being held in the Great Hall and live performances were being staged in the Concert Room.
Aside from this distinction, the Hall boasts many architectural feats…
The Great Hall
The Great Hall, with the Willis Organ in view.
The vast and splendid Great Hall was designed by Charles Robert Cockerell and is 169ft long, 77ft wide, and 82ft to the crown of the ornate barrel-vaulted ceiling. Adorned with statues of notable figures and illuminated by pretty chandeliers, this grand room also houses the Willis organ, which contains 7,737 pipes and was the largest in the country at the time that it was created.
Perhaps the Great Hall’s most famous gem of all is the Minton floor, which consists of over 30,000 encaustic tiles depicting the city’s coat of arms, sea nymphs, dolphins and tritons. The ornate surface was once the largest of its kind in the world and is revealed to the public for a limited period every year.
The Great Hall, with its famous Minton floor unveiled.
Due to its enormous scale and stunning architectural features, the Great Hall is a popular venue for all manner of ticketed and corporate events, weddings and on-location filming (making it a star attraction in its own right).
The Concert Room
The Concert Room at St George’s Hall
The more intimately sized (yet, just as sumptuous) Concert Room was also designed by Cockerell and completed in 1856. At 72ft wide 77ft long, this opulent and charming space was designed using elliptical measuring and houses a lavishly decorated stage which is 30ft wide by 12ft long.
A balcony supported by caryatids runs around the room, while arabesque-decorated columns support a picturesque frieze featuring griffins. This all builds up to the ornate ceiling, which carries a breath-taking 2,824-piece chandelier.
Due to its rich and striking interior décor, the same room which Charles Dickens once described as “the most perfect Hall in the world” was formerly known as the Golden Concert Room and was refurbished prior to the reopening of St George’s Hall in 2007. Like the Great Hall, it has established itself as a popular venue for weddings, as well as ticketed and corporate events.
Pioneering Ventilation
The heating/air conditioning system engineered by Dr David Boswell Reid © Colin Lane
Hidden beneath the grandeur of the entertainment rooms and oppressive atmosphere of the courts there exists a vast underground space designed to house the original system for heating and ventilating the building.
This complicated system was the invention of Victorian engineer Dr David Boswell Reid and the instructions for operating it ran to many pages!
Prisoners were also thought of in Reid’s design; the cells would be inspected from time to time, warming the corridor with the steam pipes and infusing a supply of air into it when required.
“Where all memorable moments in Liverpool life converge…”
Ever since its inception, St George’s Hall has become the emotional heart of Liverpool; a place where people congregate, celebrate and commemorate. A place where all memorable moments in Liverpool life converge…
This is largely due to the central location of St George’s Plateau acting as a focal point for mass gatherings, celebrations, protests, vigils and memorial services. From Lord Kitchener’s inspection of the Liverpool Pals battalion back in 1915 to vigils held following the deaths of Beatles members, John Lennon (1980) and George Harrison (2001); from annual Remembrance services to numerous commemorations following the Hillsborough tragedy; from various industry strikes in the early 20th century to #BlackLivesMatter protests in 2020. From multiple cup parades for both Liverpool and Everton football clubs to Ringo Starr performing on the roof to over 50,000 people during the People’s Opening of European Capital of Culture back in 2008.
The list goes on, but the above examples provide a glimmer of insight into various points when St George’s Plateau has provided the setting during good, bad, happy and sad times in Liverpool’s history. From the Victorian period right through to the present day, this sense of congregation, commemoration and celebration has continued to exist – therefore, sealing its status as “The People’s Plateau”.
Below, we have included images of just a few significant moments to have taken place on St George’s Plateau. Click on the images to enlarge and scroll through…
TOP ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: 1904 – ROYAL VISIT OF KING EDWARD VII; 1910 – MAY DAY PARADE; 1911 – LIVERPOOL GENERAL TRANSPORT STRIKE, WHICH LATER BECAME KNOWN AS “RED SUNDAY”; 1915 – LORD KITCHENER INSPECTS THE LIVERPOOL PALS BATTALION. ALL IMAGES © LIVERPOOL RECORD OFFICE.
SECOND ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: 1919 – VICTORY PARADE FOR PEACE DAY; 1920 – ROYAL VISIT OF KING GEORGE V; 1930 – OFFICIAL UNVEILING OF THE LIVERPOOL CENOTAPH; 1980 – VIGIL FOR JOHN LENNON.ALL IMAGES © LIVERPOOL RECORD OFFICE.
BOTTOM ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: 2008 – THE PEOPLE’S OPENING, MARKING LIVERPOOL’S YEAR AS EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE © PETE CARR; 2016 – VIGIL FOLLOWING THE INQUEST INTO THE HILLSBOROUGH TRAGEDY © LIVERPOOL ECHO; 2017 – THE JOEY PUPPET FROM THE STAGE PRODUCTION, WAR HORSE, WHICH WAS THEN ON AT THE LIVERPOOL EMPIRE THEATRE, MAKES A POIGNANT APPEARANCE DURING THE CITY’S ANNUAL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE; 2018 – XOLO MAKES A SURPRISE VISIT TO ST GEORGE’S PLATEAU DURING DAY 1 OF THE CITY’S THIRD AND FINAL GIANT SPECTACULAR EVENT,LIVERPOOL’S DREAM.
In addition to gatherings on the Plateau, St George’s Hall itself has hosted thousands of celebrations over the years. Indeed, weddings are a daily occurrence here, while we have also hosted all manner of private, corporate and ticketed events for visitors to enjoy – not forgetting the use of our Hall for cultural events!
Take a look at the gallery below to explore a selection of celebrations we have hosted over the years. Click on the images to enlarge and scroll through…
St George’s Hall on Screen
If you have yet to visit St George’s Hall in person, there’s still a good chance that you’ve seen it either on your television or at the cinema.
Over the years, our unique building has acted as a filming location for productions such as In the Name of the Father, Brookside, Coronation Street, Peaky Blinders, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Tin Star, The Irregulars, BBC’s War of the Worlds, Tolkien, and The Batman to name just a few.
With its imposing exterior and its incredible variety of spaces, ranging from old prison cells and law courts to a Great Hall and Concert Room – and, of course, not forgetting the underground galleries and catacombs – it’s easy to see why St George’s Hall has become a hit with TV and Film production companies. Quite simply, each space provides something different, ensuring that we are a multitude of locations, rather than one.
ROW ONE: TIN STAR: LIVERPOOL© SKY
ROW TWO: PEAKY BLINDERS © ROBERT VLASKIN
ROW THREE: PEAKY BLINDERS © ROBERT VLASKIN
ROW FOUR: PEAKY BLINDERS © ROBERT VLASKIN
ROW FIVE: PEAKY BLINDERS © ROBERT VLASKIN;PEAKY BLINDERS © FANGIRL QUEST
ROW SIX:FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM; IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER © JONATHAN HOLLEY; THE BATMAN © 2020 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ROW SEVEN: THE BATMAN © 2020 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVE
Of course, every star needs a supporting cast. While we have proven to be popular on screen due to the aesthetic nature and flexibility of our spaces, our dedicated staff work in tandem with the Liverpool Film Office team to ensure that the needs of various production teams, casts and crews are met. Without this sublime collective effort, we would not have been able to have secured such top-quality productions over the years. Our hope is that you’ll be seeing more and more of our Hall on screen in the future.
Interested in filming at St George’s Hall? Find out more and apply at www.liverpoolfilmoffice.tv.
St George’s Hall Charitable Trust
St George’s Hall Charitable Trust is an independent board of members, who dedicate their own time to protect, preserve and enhance our Grade I listed building.
Our Trustees raise funds through various events and campaigns (in 2016, they commissionedCraven Dunnill Jackfield Ltdto restore a Minton tile roundel on the perimeter of our famous floor, while they have welcomed speakers such as David Olusoga, Lucy Worsley and Michael Heseltinein recent years).
A donation to St George’s Hall Charitable Trust supports the conservation and restoration of the Hall, creating more memorable moments for visitors and residents of Liverpool. You can become part of the story by making a donation to the Trust via the button below.
FAQs
Why is St Georges Hall famous? ›
St George's Hall is a building of beauty and grace that boasts many firsts: it is the world's first commercially air conditioned building and when built, had the largest barrel vaulted ceiling and the largest piped concert organ in the world.
Where is the entrance to St George's Hall Liverpool? ›Entry to Guided Tours is via our south-side Visitor Entrance (located on St John's Lane, opposite Courtyard Bar & Kitchen). This is the same entrance for The History Whisperer and Homebaked Bakery @ St George's Hall.
What's inside St George's Hall Liverpool? ›St George's Hall is a building on St George's Place, opposite Lime Street railway station in the centre of Liverpool, England. Opened in 1854, it is a Neoclassical building which contains concert halls and law courts, and is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.
What was St George's Hall built for? › Is St Georges Hall in peaky blinders? ›Production crews assembled on the steps of the St George's Hall in Liverpool as the gritty gangster drama once again shot scenes in the north west.
Is St George's prestigious? ›St George's is ranked 1st in the UK for graduate prospects by the Complete University Guide.
Can the public enter St Georges chapel? ›A visit to St George's Chapel is included in your Windsor Castle ticket or you are most welcome to attend services at St George's Chapel, which are free to all. In St George's Chapel, the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II can be seen by visitors on all days the Castle is open to the public, excluding Sundays.
Can you go inside St Georges Hall Liverpool? ›VISIT US. The Visitor Entrance (accessible via St John's Lane, L1 1HF) is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm (last entry 4.45pm).
Can the public go to St Georges Park? ›There is no charge for admission. St George Park is open at all times.
Where will the Queen be buried? ›Queen Elizabeth's coffin came to its final resting place at Windsor on Monday. This completed its long journey from Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh, then from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall and Westminster Abbey, and then finally to St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
Is St George's Chapel Catholic or Protestant? ›
| St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle | |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholicism |
| Churchmanship | High Church |
| Website | stgeorges-windsor.org |
So who can get married at St. George's Chapel? The list of people who can includes “knights, residents of Windsor Castle, residents of the College of St. George, and, of course, members of the Royal Family”.
Can you get married at St George's Hall? ›We are proud to host all types of wedding celebrations, including (but not limited to) traditional weddings, multi-cultural weddings, Jewish and Asian ceremonies, same sex ceremonies and the renewal of vows.
How old is St George's Hall Liverpool? ›Architect Harvey Lonsdale Elmes designed St. George's Hall in 1854, when he was only 25 years old. Despite the architect's young age, St. George's Hall has been recognized as one of the United Kingdom's greatest buildings.
Was St George's Chapel bombed in ww2? ›A priest, probably Father Dixon, stands in the roofless shell of St George's Roman Catholic Cathedral, on the corner of St George's Road and Lambeth Road in Southwark, South East London. The Cathedral was severely damaged by an incendiary bomb attack which gutted the building on 16 April 1941.
What street is Peaky Blinders filmed on? ›Powis Street (Liverpool)
The very first shot of the series, where our hero (or anti-hero, depending on how you feel about Tommy Shelby's business dealings), takes place on this Liverpool street, which is the Shelbys' stomping ground on Watery Lane.
But, you aren't in post-war Birmingham; in fact, no one is in Birmingham at all! Despite the Brummy setting of the show, Peaky Blinders was in fact filmed in other locations throughout the U.K., namely Yorkshire and Liverpool.
Where is the real Peaky Blinders house? ›Arley Hall, Cheshire
Tommy Shelby's sprawling manor home is actually Arley Hall & Gardens in Northwich, Cheshire. In series three, it was the backdrop for a showdown with Alfie Solomons and the season climax that saw members of the Shelby family arrested.
- Brighton College: $66,500. ...
- Cheltenham Ladies College: $59,000. ...
- Gordonstoun: $58,250. ...
- Winchester $57,750. ...
- Eton $56,000. ...
- Millfield $55,000. ...
- Harrow $54,750. ...
- Sevenoaks $54,500.
The University of Oxford is top in a list of the best universities in the UK 2023, which includes institutions in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
How hard is it to get into St George? ›
The acceptance rate at St.
For every 100 applicants, 61 are admitted. This means the school is moderately selective. The school expects you to meet their requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but they're more flexible than other schools. If you exceed their requirements, you have an excellent chance of getting in.
George's Cathedral was the tallest wooden church in the world, its tower reaching a height of 143 feet. It held this record until 2003 when the 246-feet-tall Peri Monastery near Săpânţa in northern Romania was completed. The new St.
Why is St George so important in England? ›St George stands for the courage to face adversity in order to defend the innocent. The triumph of good over evil, through courage. The choice of St George as England's patron saint was predominantly that of one man, King Edward III, who reigned from 1327 to 1377.
What famous people went to St Georges? ›- Vincent Astor, philanthropist, majority owner of Newsweek, member of the prominent Astor family.
- John Jacob Astor V, philanthropist, owner of The Times.
- John Jacob Astor VI, investor, of the Astor family.
- John Lennon.
- Tom Jones.
- Elton John.
- Cliff Richard.
- Ringo Starr.
- Jenson Button.
- Theo Paphitis.
- Sue Baker.
68% of the population are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with the remainder having no religious affiliation (24%) or Catholic (4%). This is in stark contrast to Salt Lake City where the percentage of the population that identifies as Mormon is 35%.
Is St George Catholic or Protestant? ›...
| Saint George | |
|---|---|
| Died | 23 April 303 Lydda, Syria Palaestina (modern-day Lod, Israel) |
| St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle | |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholicism |
| Churchmanship | High Church |
| Website | stgeorges-windsor.org |
St George was actually born in Cappadocia, Turkey, around 270AD. St George was a high-ranking officer in the Roman army who protested against the Romans' torture of Christians. Roman emperor Diocletian ordered his death for failing to recant his faith. And that's how he became a Christian martyr.
What percentage of St George is white? ›White: 88.52% Other race: 4.38% Two or more races: 3.19%
Why does St George have a dragon? ›
Transfer to Saint George
The dragon motif was transferred to the George legend from that of his fellow soldier saint, Saint Theodore Tiro. The transfer of the dragon iconography from Theodore, or Theodore and George as "Dioskuroi" to George on his own, first becomes tangible in the early 11th century.
St. George's population is about 65% Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) two dozen other churches are active, including Assembly of God, Episcopal, Lutheran, Baptist, Catholic, Christian Science, Methodist and Presbyterian.
How many babies are born at St Georges? ›Specialist services at St Georges:
The delivery suite delivers almost 5,000 babies a year.
The school's motto, “Vincent Qui Se Vincunt” speaks of those who conquer as they do battle to conquer themselves. Of course, the history of St George's can truly be discovered in the individual stories of the pupils and the members of staff who have travelled its hallways.
Where do most British actors live? ›It goes without saying that the vast majority of British celebrities live in London, but international names call the UK home, too. The exclusive boroughs of Chelsea, Knightsbridge and Kensington are home to plenty of mega-famous names, while some stars opt for palatial, rural homes in the city's green belt.
Did the Beatles live in St Georges Hill? ›With all that going on, John Lennon and his wife Cynthia decided to buy a house in Surrey – they settled on Kenwood, in the leafy enclave of St George's Hill, paying £20,000 for a house which was 51 years old at the time and in need of some work.
Which Beatles lived in St Georges Hill? ›John Lennon lived in Kenwood, St George's Hill in Weybridge in 1964 for four years and George Harrison owned a bungalow in Claremont Lane in Esher. Ringo Starr also decided to take up residency in Weybridge and bought a property in the exclusive St George's Hill estate.