St John's Hall

St John's Hall is a neoclassical building on Alverton Street with eleven facade bays and projecting wings, constructed from granite quarried locally at Lamorna. The main hall spans roughly 300 square meters and accommodates up to 286 seated guests or 500 standing visitors, with kitchen facilities and accessible toilets across multiple floors.

The foundation stones were laid in 1864, and the building officially opened in 1867 as the seat of Penzance Borough Council. It arose during a period when the town needed modern public facilities to support its growing administration and community functions.

The building houses the Penzance Library and Registration Office, serving as a civic gathering place for locals. Displays of Royal Geological Society collections reflect the region's long connection to scientific exploration and geological study.

The building sits centrally in Penzance and is easily accessible on foot, with disabled access and toilets on multiple levels. Visitors should check which areas are open, as some rooms vary in availability depending on events and opening hours.

The building is considered the largest granite structure in England, distinguished by a top entrance step made from one of the biggest granite blocks ever extracted from a quarry. This massive stone demonstrates the technical capabilities and resources available to the Victorian town.