John Wesley's New Room

Over het museum

The New Room was founded in 1739, when members of two religious societies in Bristol asked John Wesley to create a "new room" in which they could meet. It became the first Methodist chapel and the place where many features of early Methodism, including its class system, first appeared. Wesley's mission in Bristol grew into a worldwide movement, and the New Room is described as the oldest Methodist building in the world. It stands in the Broadmead area of the city.

The chapel is shown as it would have looked in 1748, when the building was enlarged. Above it are the rooms built in the same year, among them John Wesley's study and bedroom and the parlour where visiting preachers stayed. The Grade I listed building also has a courtyard garden, and a new visitor centre and café has been added on the Horsefair side.

The museum, which opened in July 2017, tells the story of John and Charles Wesley and of 18th-century Methodism and its relevance today. The audio tour covers twelve rooms, with themes such as Georgian Bristol, the spread of Methodism, the New Room's role in healthcare and education, and Wesley's stand against slavery. The site is supported by Methodist Heritage and run by a registered charity. It also looks after Charles Wesley's House in nearby Charles Street, which can be visited by pre-booked groups.

Hoogtepunten

• The oldest Methodist building in the world, with the 18th-century chapel
• John Wesley's study and bedroom and the preachers' rooms
• Earliest Methodist membership book
• Audio tour through twelve rooms
• Volunteer-led tours with a dressing-up cupboard
• Reference library and archives

Vaste collectie

• Museum of John and Charles Wesley and early Methodism – The museum on level 2 tells the story of the Wesleys and 18th-century Methodism in rooms built in 1748, including John Wesley's study and bedroom.
• The 18th-century Chapel – The chapel as it looked in 1748, free to enter, with the gallery, pulpit and organ.

Opgericht

2017

Beheerder

John Wesley's New Room (registered charity no. 1137957)

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

The chapel is free to enter; the charge is for the museum. A museum ticket gives free entry for 12 months and can be bought online or at the door. Prices apply from 2025.

Toegankelijkheid

• Deels rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The building has step-free access, except to the chapel gallery, pulpit and organ, and lifts serve all floors except the chapel gallery. The Horsefair entrance has a flat, low slope; the Broadmead entrance crosses a cobbled courtyard that can be uneven. The museum is on level 2, reached by lift or stairs. There is an accessible toilet with baby changing; the nearest Changing Places toilet is at Cabot Circus. Assistance dogs are welcome, a large-print café menu is available, and carers receive complimentary tickets. Blue Badge holders can use on-street parking nearby, and bus stops and a taxi rank are close to the main entrance.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Doe- en voelstations
• Verschoonruimte

Family tickets are available, children under 5 are free, and the volunteer-led tours include a dressing-up cupboard with costumes. Baby changing facilities are in the building, and there is a Schools section on the website.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

There are two pedestrian entrances: the Broadmead Courtyard Garden, opposite Boots and next to The Arcade, and the Horsefair Visitor Centre and Café, opposite Primark. Bike racks for four bicycles are in the courtyard garden.

Service & horeca

• Café
• Restaurant: niet aanwezig
• Museumwinkel

The Café at the New Room serves home-made food, soup, cakes and a specials board, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. The shop is on the ground floor. A reference library is also on site.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur

Tot 400 personen.

Four spaces can be hired: the 18th-century chapel (seats 400), the Horsefair Room, the Horsefair Atrium and the Chapel Meeting Room for up to 8 people. Catering is available through the on-site café.

Je bezoek plannen