The Georgian House – Exterior

The Georgian House was built in 1790 for John Pinney (architect William Paty), a wealthy slave plantation owner and sugar merchant. It was also where the enslaved African Pero lived, brought from Pinney’s Caribbean plantation on Nevis.

John Pinney was a West India merchant who came to Bristol after retiring from his plantations in 1783. He founded Pinney and Tobin sugar merchants and became a very wealthy man.

The house is displayed as it might have looked in the 18th century and provides an insight into life above and below stairs. There are 11 rooms spread over four floors, including:
The basement, where you can see the kitchen, housekeeper’s room, pantry and John Pinney’s cold water plunge pool. Formal rooms include John Pinney’s office, two dining rooms, a Library and two drawing rooms.

In the second floor bedroom there is a small exhibition about Pero and the Pinney’s involvement in the sugar trade.