The Georgian House Museum

About

The Georgian House Museum is an 18th century, six storey townhouse just off Bristol's famous independent shopping area, Park Street. The house has been restored and decorated to its original glory, and is the perfect way to step back in time and imagine what life was like in this affluent area of the city hundreds of years ago. 

The house was built in 1790 for John Pinney, a wealthy slave plantation owner and sugar merchant. It is displayed as it might have looked in the 18th century and provides an insight into life above and below stairs. You can just imagine the kitchen buzzing as the servants prepared meals, taking a dip in the cold-water plunge pool and relaxing in the elegant upstairs rooms.

The Georgian House is especially significant to Bristol's history as it is where the enslaved African, Pero lived. In 1765, at the age of just 12, Pero Jones was bought by John Pinney to work on his Mountravers plantation in Nevis. In 1784 he accompanied the family in their move from Nevis to Bristol, where they lived in the Georgian House. Pero was personal servant to John Pinney and served for 32 years. Pero's Bridge, the footbridge across Bristol's floating harbour was named in commemoration of one slave who lived and died in the city.

About the house

The Georgian House is open Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm, and entry is free. Note that group visits should be booked in advance.

There are 11 rooms spread over four floors, including;
 • The basement, where you can see the kitchen, housekeeper's room, pantry and John Pinney's cold water plunge pool.
 • Formal rooms including John Pinney's office, two dining rooms, a library and two drawing rooms.
 • The second floor bedroom.
 • A small exhibition on the Pinney's involvement in the sugar trade and John Pinney's slave, Pero.

A visit to the Georgian House Museum is a fascinating way to while away a couple of hours, and is a perfect accompanyment to a visit to the nearby Red Lodge Museum.