Bristol Dockyards - Home of SS Great Britain

About

We exist to conserve the steam ship Great Britain – the world’s first great ocean liner - as well as the Brunel’s Institute’s world-class maritime collection and the historic dockyards. 

Bristol Dockyards brings the radical spirit of our city and Brunel to life, through all-year-round cultural programming, charitable work and experiences that inspire new generations to expand their horizons.

SS Great Britain Experience
Revered across the Avon and renowned across the Atlantic: Sitting proudly on a glass ‘sea’, the SS Great Britain is the crowning moment on Bristol’s historic harborside. When she was launched in 1843, there was nothing else like her - the largest ship in the world, and the blueprint for every ocean liner that followed. Today, a ticket to Bristol Dockyards unlocks the full SS Great Britain Experience, best explored in three stages:

1. Discover the new SS Great Britain Experience museum (from 18th July 2026) - artefacts, interactives and community-led stories spanning four decades of voyages, migration and life at sea.
2. Sights, smells and sounds of Victorian life at sea. It's time to step aboard: scrub the deck, dress up in your finery to walk the Promenade, scale the rigging (if you're brave enough!) and climb into a steerage bunk.
3. Venture beneath the glass sea and come face to face with the revolutionary engineering that made her possible - and the cutting-edge technology protecting her for future generations.

Together - the museum, ship and Dry Dock - tell the full story of Brunel’s feat of engineering which transformed travel, migration and culture forever.

Historic Dockyards
The SS Great Britain might take centre stage, but the famed Victorian dockyard surrounding it certainly doesn’t hide in the shadows. Historic cranes ferrying cargo, and incredible views paint an incredible idea of what life was like 200 years ago.  

It’s not hard to imagine the picture. Hundreds of shipbuilders, makers and engineers working a monumental shift. Great engines firing into life. Brunel and his design team keeping a keen eye over operations. You are literally following in the footsteps of the people who created history. 
From a historic dockyard to a working one, take a look into the Albion Dockyard. A vast Grade II listed facility, the Albion has been building and maintaining ships for dockyards. If you are lucky you might even catch one being worked on!

Being Brunel Museum
Go inside the mind that changed history! Isambard Kingdom Brunel is not simply one of the greatest engineers of the 1800s. He’s the genius behind some of the world’s most radical engineering feats.

From bridges to tunnels, ships to railways, his creations were longer, faster and bigger than anything the world had ever witnessed. An innovator, a dreamer, an artist, not without flaws, you’ll meet every side of the Little Giant when visiting Being Brunel. Exploring his life and lasting legacy in the most significant collection of the man.

Step inside Brunel’s Mind to see what he was thinking under that stovepipe hat, and wonder as you see his world, and many projects, unfold around you. Then head back to 1850 and experience the sights, sounds and smells of The Great Western Steamship Company’s Grade-II listed headquarters. You might even help Brunel sign off a decision or two with the board. 

The Brunel Institute 
When you have such a rich history, a rich collection usually isn’t far behind. The Brunel Institute – a collaborative venture between the SS Great Britain Trust and the University of Bristol – is no exception, housing over 75,000 original drawings, letters and items in one the world’s finest maritime archives. 

The Institute opens its doors for Archive in Five to all, on Wednesday through Friday. A hub for curiosity, research and bold thinking, it provides the opportunity to explore historic innovations, discover the human stories behind them, and step into a space where past ideas spark present-day debates. 

Discovery Talks
Attend one of our volunteer-led Discovery Talks and hear unique stories on a wide range of topics. Hear how the SS Great Britain transported plants across the globe, learn what it was like to travel in steerage class and find out the stories of the women who travelled on board. Each talk lasts 25 minutes and gives a great insight into Brunel and the social history of the ship. 

Bloomberg Connects
The free Bloomberg Connects app provides written and audio guides for the whole of Bristol Dockyards. Accessible through the app or via QR codes around the site. Text information can also be translated into Google Translate-enabled languages.  

Gift Shop
A trip to Bristol Dockyards is not complete without visiting our onsite gift shop! Find your perfect souvenir or gift for a loved one inspired by our collections. Bring the memories of your day out home - from ship memorabilia to our unique Mr Brunel rubber duck, there is something for everyone