St George’s Hall’s magnificent Minton Tiles return for 2026

St George’s Hall will unveil its magnificent Minton tile floor for an extended public reveal from 17 July to 2 September 2026.

Usually protected beneath a wooden covering to preserve its intricate craftsmanship, the Minton floor is one of the finest examples of Victorian design in the world.

Comprising 30,000 hand crafted tiles, the mosaic has captivated hundreds of thousands of people over the decades, with its rich colours, classical motifs and remarkable level of preservation. 

Last revealed in 2023, with over 20,000 visitors from across the UK, St George’s Hall has expanded the 2026 event programme to include immersive tours, creative workshops, and local musicians – including Brad Kella, winner of Channel 4’s The Piano – along with a new archival exhibition. 

Alongside the floor reveal, the Stable Gallery will host a special exhibition created in partnership with Liverpool Central Library, exploring the archives of St George’s Hall and shining a light on the legacy of the Hall’s first official organist, W. T. Best. 

All ticket sales directly support the upkeep of St George’s Hall, with donations also going directly to the St George’s Hall Charitable Trust, which works to preserve the Hall for future generations, as well as the restoration of the Willis Organ. 

At around 30,000 individual tiles, the Minton floor is among the largest of its kind in the world.

The original cost of £3,000 (the equivalent of around £250,000 today), although the true cost of recreating it today would be in the millions.

The sunken floors design is inspired by the ancient Roman baths of Caracalla. The floor includes maritime images of Neptune, dolphins, tritons, Nereids, triton centaurs and tridents, reflecting the importance of the sea to Liverpool’s 19th century prosperity

The theme of the design of the floor is the unity of the three kingdoms of the UK, with England represented by roses, Scotland by thistles and Ireland by shamrocks. These are linked by a chain design stressing unity.

At the centre is the city seal: the Liver Bird confirming Liverpool’s centrality to the British Empire.

The mosaic was covered in the 1860s to provide a more hard-wearing surface for dancing.

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:

“The Minton floor is one of Liverpool’s treasured hidden gems and the programme reflects everything St George’s Hall represents – heritage, creativity, and community.

“The eclectic event programme highlights how cultural spaces can be used to inspire, educate, and connect people. Every visitor who buys a ticket indirectly becomes a custodian of this amazing place, ensuring it can be enjoyed for generations to come.” 

Angie Redhead, Head of Operations, Culture Liverpool, said: 

“St George’s Hall has many amazing features, but the Minton floor is the one that truly takes people’s breath away. This extended summer reveal gives visitors more time than ever to enjoy it, alongside an event programme that has something for everyone to enjoy from music to mindfulness and from history to Yoga. And I love that Brad Kella is as excited as we are to perform in our beautiful Concert Room.” 

Find out more on the St George’s Hall website.

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