Wills Memorial Building, Gothic university building in Bristol, England
The Wills Memorial Building is a Gothic university building with a 215-foot tower in Bristol, England, constructed from pale Bath stone over a reinforced concrete frame. The tower rises through several stages and ends in an octagonal lantern with battlements and pinnacles, while the facade displays pointed arch windows and niches holding statues of saints.
Planning started in 1912, the foundation stone was laid in 1915, but World War I delayed construction until 1919. George and Henry Wills funded the building as a memorial to their father, and King George V opened it in 1925.
The tower honors Henry Overton Wills III., a tobacco merchant whose family helped establish the university in 1909. Law students and earth scientists now use these halls throughout the academic year.
The main entrance faces Park Street, and the interior is accessible via elevators and staircases from the ground floor. Tours are sometimes offered during university events or open days, so check availability before planning a visit.
Great George, the ninth-largest bell in England weighing 9.5 tonnes, rings from the octagonal lantern at the top of the tower. Its sound waves travel widely across the city and mark special occasions and celebrations.
Location: City of Bristol
Inception: 1925
Architects: George Oatley
GPS coordinates: 51.45610,-2.60444
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:31
Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery
60 m
St George's Church, Brandon Hill
205 m
Berkeley Square
138 m
Fry Building
104 m
Berkeley Crescent
160 m
Brown's Restaurant
97 m
75-89, Park Street
89 m
65, 67 And 69, Park Street
152 m
57 And 59, Park Street
189 m
Church of St George, Brandon Hill, Rear Entrance Gates and Walls
152 m
University of Bristol, Geography Department
108 m
Gas Lamp Post Approximately 3 Metres South Of Number 7
183 m
Numbers 1 To 16 And Attached Basement Area Railings, And Railings, Gates And Lamps To Pavement
157 m
University of Bristol, Museum Lecture Theatre
95 m
Attached wall and railing to the rear of Number 20, Berkeley Square
124 m
19, Charlotte Street
196 m
Gas Lamp Post Approximately 5 Metres South West Of Gates To Church Of St George, Brandon Hill
240 m
Gas Lamp Post Approximately 1 Metres South Of East Gate To Royal Colonnade
258 m
Bristol High Cross
114 m
1, Great George Street
246 m
2, Great George Street
219 m
Walls, Piers And Railings Along Road Frontage To Royal Colonnade
253 m
Steps, Walls, Piers, Gates And Lamps Fronting Church Of St George, Brandon Hill
227 m
Number 47 And Attached Cast Iron Railings
243 m
Gas Lamp Post Approximately 20 Metres North Of Number 3 To East Side Of Junction With Hill Street
226 m
Royal Colonnade
243 m
Numbers 1 To 8 And Attached Railings And Gates
196 m
The Deanery And Attached Front Wall, Piers And Gate
208 mReviews
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