St Georges Hall visitors have the rare opportunity see the Minton tiles, a beautiful Victorian mosaic, hidden under a wooden floor since the 19th century and one of Liverpool’s most beautifully preserved pieces of art.
The Minton floor, consisting of 30,000 beautifully hand-crafted tiles, will be revealed for the first time in four years.
St George’s Hall is internationally acclaimed for its architectural beauty and historical significance, but perhaps its most magnificent element has been hidden under a wooden floor for its preservation since 1860.
The Minton tiles are an incredibly rare sight and purposely revealed to the public infrequently to ensure they are preserved to the highest possible standard. The encaustic tiles were concealed under a wooden floor in 1860, to preserve against damage ensued by raucous, Victorian parties and dancing.
The protective wooden floor will take three days to lift by traditional flooring specialists and the 30,000 beautifully hand-crafted encaustic tiles will take a further two days to clean. It has been four years since the tiles were revealed and only the 10th time they have been put on display since the Hall reopened in 2007.
To celebrate the display, the City Hall team are hosting special tours and events, all income generated will be reinvested in the Hall, with donations also made towards the refurbishment of the Willis Organ and the Mary Seacole Statue Fund. The programme includes:
Minton Tiles Reveal
£5.50, 10am to 4pm, Monday to Sunday, 9.30pm until 3.30pm
This 360 degree walk around the perimeter of the Minton tiled floor also gives access to an ‘Education Corner’, encouraging families, schools and communities to spend some time soaking up the beauty and the history of the Hall and get involved in some fun activities.
The Minton Tile Experience
£15 guided tour, Tuesday to Sunday, 11am, 2pm and 4pm
This tour offers the public the rare opportunity to walk on the tiles themselves, and take a closer look at the sea nymphs, dolphins, and tridents beautifully crafted into the Minton tile’s intricate design.
Night on the Tiles
£20 (including a drink on arrival), Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 5pm until 7pm
A beautiful start to an evening in Liverpool! On Thursdays, you have the opportunity to enter the Minton Tiles Experience and enjoy the grandeur of the Great Hall with a glass of fizz and an open bar. On Fridays & Saturdays our guests will treat their eyes and ears to a sensory feast of live music and a glass of sparkling fizz whilst admiring the remarkable craftsmanship of the Minton tile design.
Music on the Minton’s
£20, Thursday 17th 6pm until 8pm
The incredibly talented organist Lee Ward will be performing a selection of pieces that will highlight the unique tonal qualities of the encaustic Minton tiles. The powerful and ethereal sounds of the famous Henry Willis organ will resonate through the beautifully restored space and transport visitors through time.