John Wesley's New Room — Attraction in Bristol

If you have even the slightest interest in either Methodist or Bristolian history, you will find much delight in this space.

Stepping into the chapel is a bit like time travelling, you can easily imagine the many gatherings and sermons delivered here, inspiring early Methodists and the general public to go out and make a positive impact in their city and the world at large.

The museum is amazing! For such a small exhibit, its curators have pulled out all the stops to create fascinating, engaging, and often entertainingly interact displays, covering all aspects of John Wesley's career and private life (including the bed he used to sleep on!) and offering a glimpse into Methodism's influence on Bristol's development. There's one entire display dedicated to Slavery, a bold statement in these contentious times.

The souvenir shop carries a nice selection of odds and ends to tempt the casual tourist, and many books are available on various subjects; there's also a huge selection of used books available for purchase in a corner of the chapel, not to be missed!

The café is a lovely little space of respite, where you can get a decently priced cup of tea and a sandwich or slice of cake.

I will also note that the space is very Accessible for people with physical disabilities, with lifts to the upper floors and carefully designed toilet spaces. I don't know about Deaf/HoH or Blind/VI options for the museum, as I haven't asked about them, but perhaps I will do so in a future visit and update this review to reflect...

We visited the John Wesley Museum in Bristol on a Friday with our Sunday School children and their families, and it was a truly inspiring experience. John Wesley, such a powerful missionary in the UK, has left behind a rich legacy that continues to encourage both young and old.

Our Sunday School lessons often focus on missionaries, so this trip brought the stories to life in a wonderful way. The children were especially excited to explore the exhibits—reading about natural remedies used in those times, seeing pictures from the old era, and learning more about John Wesley’s family. Parents were equally inspired, finding it both educational and spiritually uplifting.

This museum beautifully preserves the old Christian heritage and culture of Britain. I highly recommend that everyone visit at least once—you will come away with a deeper appreciation of history, faith, and the lasting impact of John...

Built by John Wesley, The New Room is the world's oldest Methodist building. When you step off Broadmead and through its doors, it's like stepping into a time machine and being whisked back to the 18th century.

Upstairs from the chapel are the preachers' rooms - where the likes of Charles Wesley and George Whitefield would have stayed and where early Methodist Conferences would have been held. These rooms are home to a small museum.

One of the rooms, Charles Wesley's, has recently been refurbished. Highlights include an 18th century view of Bristol transposed onto the window and little radio dramas of events that might have happened in the room, which you can listen to when sitting in the window seat. You can also listen to the most well-known of Charles Wesley's hymns.

It provides a fascinating insight into the 18th century and is well worth a visit whether you're a...