Boston Guildhall
Boston Guildhall
4.5
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
About
Built in the 1390's this building is a testament to the wealth and influence of the Guild of St Mary at a time when Boston's power as a centre of trade was second only to London. This wonderfully preserved building, with a wealth of original features, has survived the centuries and is to be enjoyed as one of Boston's finest visitor attractions. A wealth of stories, secrets and experiences are told and shared throughout the building including the history of the Guild of St Mary, international trade with the Hanseatic League, Henry VIII dissolve of the Guild, the foundation of the Corporation of Boston and the very famous trial and imprisonment of the Pilgrim Fathers. The Guildhall is also home to the towns museum collection where displays and exhibitions bring life to the stories told, and a stunning venue for civil ceremonies and private functions.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
116 reviews
Excellent
65
Very good
37
Average
7
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Sandra C
Rugby, UK426 contributions
Jan 2020
The building houses the Vistor Information Centre but is only open Wednesday -Saturday 10.30am -3.30pm. It is worth a visit as it explains a lot of the history about the Pilgrime Farthers and how the Guildhall was founded and funded. There's some interesting cabinets to browse and a kitchen on the ground floor with the upper floor rooms showing off the artictecure of how the building was built. It is Free entry.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for leaving a review of your recent visit. We hope that you enjoyed your walk through the building and it's lovely to hear that you found our exhibitions interesting to explore. We hope to welcome you again in the future.
Written February 29, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
malcolm79
London, UK365 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
An absolutely horrendous place with awful staff. Arrived at the museum after travelling 200 miles to visit it 2 mins after last admissions. With 3 children eager to learn about the local history of my birth place. Turned away by a curmudgeonly man with no sense of compassion. Will never return. Thanks Boston.
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am sorry to read of your experience and that you arrived after our last admission and were unable to enter with your three children. We do make every effort to share our opening hours as widely as we can, including the last admission time, and I appreciate that travelling 200 miles and being unable to visit must have been disappointing. If I can forward activities and information about the museum for yourself and your children to share to discover more about the town and your birth place please contact me guildhall@boston.gov.uk
Written January 27, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
EmdazGb
Spalding, UK307 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
After a fantastic guided tour of Boston Stump we next went onto Boston Guildhall to find out more. But unfortunately it was boring. This place has so much potential, especially the old courtroom with the staircase down to the cells really could be brought to life. It needs buttons to press and projection characters telling their stories. Instead you are just faced with empty rooms with text to read. The kitchen could also be brilliant, but again it needs to be far more interactive. We loved the fact one of the cells is open and you can actually get inside, that felt special and is also a great photo opportunity. Over all it's abit underwhelming.
Written August 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thomas g
York, UK497 contributions
Sep 2017 • Friends
What a fantastic place, informative about the building, town and historic Guilds of Boston. Fascinating mix of displays from Archaeology to civic regalia and art. Well worth visiting.
Written September 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your kind review of your recent visit to Boston Guildhall. We are so pleased you enjoyed your experience and hope to welcome you again in the future.
Written September 18, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul M
Boston, UK105 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
Dropped in on a wet Saturday as I was passing by. Lived in Boston for 15 years and walked past it many times intending to go in. This time I did. What a lot of history, what a beautiful building and of some historic importance to the town. Free entry, very informative staff and literature. A shortish visit but well worth doing and impressive roof construction, rooms and architecture and so you could really feel the atmosphere of the era. Some very interesting artifacts and silverware. Fiedel house is next door and another historic building to visit so you can do the both. Sited in town so car parks on the doorstep and so is the river and some local eateries to catch a pint and something to eat. Boston was a town of some significance with a thriving port and was an important trade route in its day. Do visit and you will learn so much about the town in its heyday.
Written July 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KevinSadler2364
Leicester, UK1,245 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
One of Boston's hidden gems. Built around 700 years ago, the architecture is a lovely example of the period. Today, it's a museum to Boston, which has a great history, and makes for an interesting and educational hour
Written March 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to visit us at Boston Guildhall and leaving a review of your visit. Lovely to hear that you found your visit interesting and enjoyed the history of the building and the stories that we share. We hope to welcome you again in the future.
Written March 26, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
elsieroe
Boston, UK277 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
We live locally but haven't visited the Guildhall in many years. Free entry and very good explanations of exhibits, the role of the Guildhall through history. All very interesting and not too 'dry'.
Many interactive exhibits and even the chance to do a bit of dressing up!
I left feeling that I'd learned a lot about the Guildhall and the history of Boston.
Very atmospheric too!
Impressed that everything should wheelchair accessible.
Well done to everyone involved in running the museum!
Many interactive exhibits and even the chance to do a bit of dressing up!
I left feeling that I'd learned a lot about the Guildhall and the history of Boston.
Very atmospheric too!
Impressed that everything should wheelchair accessible.
Well done to everyone involved in running the museum!
Written July 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to visit us at Boston Guildhall and leave a review of your visit. Lovely to hear that you enjoyed your experience and took part in some of the activities on offer - including the dressing up! and left feeling you knew more about the history of the building and the town of Boston. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again and perhaps you might like to join us for one of our events - our first Afternoon Tea Experience is on Saturday 9th September which may be of interest?
Written July 31, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
steve b
Boston, UK61 contributions
Jun 2016 • Solo
Very good exibition, the building has a very authentic feel about it, the staff are very informative & helpful, doesn't seem to get very busy so you are able to spend as long as you want looking & reading at what's on show.
Written February 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for leaving a review of your recent visit to Boston Guildhall. That's lovely to hear that you enjoyed your time with us and found the staff informative and helpful. We have a new exhibition opening on the 1st March in our temporary exhibition area "Medieval to Modern" which might be of interest? We hope that you call in again and look forward to welcoming you in the future. We are open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10:30am - 3:30pm.
Written February 14, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MrBrazil85
Stillwater, OK364 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
Free museum not far from the city center. Gives a good history of life in Boston through the years. A lot of information to take in. Ladies at the Welcome counter very friendly and helpful.
Written July 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to share your review of your visit to Boston Guildhall. We are just a short walk from the Market Place and enjoy sharing the history of the building and it's role in Boston with all visitors. Your kind comments will be shared with the ladies at the front desk who I am sure will appreciate the feedback. We hope to welcome you again in the future.
Written July 27, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sue D
24 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
This is a interesting place to visit and get some of the history of Boston. I've been 5 times as taken people in there. It is all labelled and has a written piece about all the items. There is dress up for children which I've seen them enjoy and they are not bored at all. It's free to get in but you can give a token donation if you wish. Please note it's not open every day. But this place is well worth a visit of you like museum etc
Written April 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your lovely feedback, we look forward to welcoming you back again in the future.
Written April 14, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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