Visitors to St George’s Hall will be given a rare chance this summer to step onto one of the city’s most breathtaking hidden treasures, as the Hall unveils its spectacular Minton tile floor for an extended public reveal from 17 July to 2 September 2026.

Normally concealed beneath a protective wooden covering to safeguard its intricate detail, the Minton floor is regarded as one of the finest surviving examples of Victorian tile design anywhere in the world.

Made up of more than 30,000 hand-crafted tiles, the vast mosaic has captivated visitors for generations with its rich colour palette, classical patterns and extraordinary state of preservation.

Last revealed in 2023, the floor attracted more than 20,000 visitors from across the UK. For 2026, St George’s Hall has expanded the programme to offer an even richer experience, with immersive guided tours, creative workshops, live performances from local musicians – including Brad Kella, winner of Channel 4’s The Piano – alongside a brand-new archival exhibition.

Running alongside the floor reveal, the Stable Gallery will host a special exhibition developed in partnership with Liverpool Central Library, delving into the Hall’s archives and celebrating the lasting legacy of its first official organist, W. T. Best.

All ticket sales will directly support the ongoing care and conservation of St George’s Hall, with additional donations benefiting the St George’s Hall Charitable Trust and contributing towards the continued restoration of the historic Willis Organ – helping to protect this iconic Liverpool landmark for generations to come.

DID YOU KNOW?

• 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.

For more information on the Minton Floor event programme and to book tickets, visit the website.

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