Confirmed · Bristol · Museum

John Wesley's New Room

Bodmin Assizes court in Poldark. Open to visitors; allow 1 hour.

On screen as: Bodmin Assizes court
Series and episodes: Series 2
Access: Open to visitors
Time needed: 1 hour
Where: Broadmead, Bristol

On screen

How John Wesley's New Room appears

The New Room plays the Bodmin Assizes, where Ross stands trial early in series 2. Its plain galleried interior, with a double-decker pulpit and wooden benches, is easy to recognise as the packed courtroom. The story sets the trial in Bodmin, the old county town of Cornwall; the real building is a Georgian chapel in the middle of Bristol's shopping district. The trial storyline runs through the opening episodes of series 2.

The real place

What you can visit

The New Room was built by John Wesley in 1739 and is the oldest Methodist chapel in the world. Today it is a chapel, museum and visitor centre, with a courtyard containing a statue of Wesley on horseback, the preserved chapel, Wesley's living rooms upstairs and a café. Check the New Room's website for current opening days and admission before visiting; the chapel is still used for worship.

The chapel is still a place of worship: keep voices down and check whether a service or event is on before you go.

Visit Bristol: Poldark filming locations ↗

Getting there.

The New Room is in Broadmead, between The Horsefair and Broadmead shopping streets, about 15 minutes' walk from Bristol Temple Meads or a short walk from the bus station. Public car parks nearby include Cabot Circus. The chapel is on the ground floor; ask the New Room about access to the upper rooms.

Official visitor information ↗Open in Google Maps ↗Read the visiting guide →

Common questions