An earlier guildhall was built for a Guild of Merchants on the site in the 13th century.

[2] The current building, which was designed by Richard Shackleton Pope in the Gothic Revival style, was completed in 1846,[1] incorporating fragments of the earlier Guildhall on the site.

[2] The building included statues created by John Thomas of Bristol and stained glass from Rogers of Worcester.

[1] After judicial activities transferred to the new Bristol Crown Court building in 1993, the guildhall was converted into an art gallery.

[2] The building, particularly 'Leech's Room' suffered bomb damage during World War II and was rebuilt in 1960.