Name: SS Great Britain
Rating: 5.0

SS Great Britain

Great Western Dockyard, Bristol, Somerset and Bristol, BS1 6TY, England

1-90 Years

Paid

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Description

SS Great Britain is Bristol’s number one visitor attraction, offering the chance to step aboard one of the most important ships in maritime history. Located at the Great Western Dockyard, it tells the story of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and life at sea through immersive museums and a beautifully restored Victorian ship. The attraction combines history, engineering, and hands-on discovery in one unique harbourside setting.

Visitors can explore the historic ship, walk beneath it in the original 1830s dry dock, and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of Victorian life at sea. Attractions include the Historic Dockyard, Dockyard Museum, Being Brunel museum, Go Aloft rig climb experience (25m high), Discovery Talks, Archive in Five sessions, Wardian plant cases, a Sensory Trail, and guided Being Brunel Highlights Tours. Facilities also include The Board Walk café, offering coffee and homemade food with harbour views.

Adult (17+) Annual Pass tickets cost £19.80 online or £22 on the day, while children (4–16) cost £13.05 online or £14.50 on the day. Family tickets cost £57.60 online (£64 on the day), students pay £16.65 online (£18.50 on the day), and under-3s are free; Go Aloft costs £35 per person or £24 for annual pass holders. Late Entry tickets are £11, and Universal Credit tickets cost £10 when purchased on site.

SS Great Britain offers a rich, immersive experience that brings maritime history vividly to life. The combination of museums, hands-on exhibits, and the iconic ship itself makes it engaging for all ages. It’s a must-visit Bristol attraction for families, history lovers, and anyone wanting to experience one of Britain’s greatest engineering achievements.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

The Ship: Experience the sights, sounds and smells of life on board! Sitting proudly on the glass ‘sea’, Brunel’s SS Great Britain dominates Bristol’s historic waterfront. Dressed with flags and ready for departure, just as the ship looked when it was launched in 1843, our friendly team are ready to welcome visitors on board. The ship has been painstakingly restored to recreate Victorian life at sea on the world’s first great luxury liner.
Dry Dock: Head below the ‘glass sea’ for incredible views of the SS Great Britain in her original dry dock which dates back to the 1830s. The huge covered space and modern technology protect the fragile iron hull, keeping the air as arid as the Arizona Desert. You can walk all the way around the ship for a truly unique experience, getting up close to the hull and the screw propeller which made the SS Great Britain one of the most innovative ships in the world.
Historic Dockyard: Step back in time and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of a Victorian dockyard. Historic cranes, old masts and incredible harbour views bring your adventure to life. The SS Great Britain takes centre stage in her dry dock, surrounded by a unique ‘glass sea’. The Great Western Dockyard is where the SS Great Britain was built. Hundreds of dockworkers would have been at work in the dockyard.
Being Brunel: Journey into the world of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and discover more about the genius behind some of the world’s most important engineering achievements. Explore a recreation of his Dining Room and work out which dinner guests to invite to a party. Compare your drawing skills with Brunel’s on board a bone shaking broad-gauge carriage. Step inside Brunel’s Mind and watch iconic scenes from his life.
Dockyard Museum: Travel through four time zones as you discover the SS Great Britain’s incredible history. From her beginnings as a luxury transatlantic ocean liner, then an emigrant clipper on voyages to Australia, and finally as a beached wreck in the Falkland Islands before her dramatic homecoming to Bristol in 1970. Hear about the crew and passengers, including the first English cricket team to play matches in Australia.
Go Aloft - Rig Climb Experience: Enjoy all-day access to Brunel’s SS Great Britain plus our thrilling Rig Climb experience, Go Aloft, in one great-value bundle. Take on the persona of a Victorian sailor and discover what it was really like to be a member of the SS Great Britain crew as you climb the rigging to over 25m above ground level. For the bravest adrenaline junkies, climbers can edge out onto the main yard – taking you 9m out across the Great Western Dockyard – unveiling a breathtaking view of Bristol’s historic harbour. Go on, go aloft!
Discovery Talks: Ever wondered what life at sea was like for Victorian women? Or the difference between a Doctor and a Ship’s Surgeon? Why passengers were so desperate to sail to Australia aboard the SS Great Britain, or how the ship made her incredible journey home to Bristol? Our volunteer led Discovery Talks explore these topics and more. These talks offer visitors of all ages an entertaining introduction to some of the stories behind Brunel, his famous ships and the people who travelled on them.
Archive In Five: Get closer to history in the Brunel Institute as maritime curators and volunteers take you on a journey of discovery with precious items from the Archive Vault. Archive in Five occurs Wednesday – Friday each week and on Saturdays during the school holidays. When Archive in Five isn’t taking place, remember that you can delve into fascinating collection stories with our Bloomberg Connects app or through our Collection Stories.
Wardian Cases: For the first time in 150 years plants are back on board the SS Great Britain! Discover our bespoke Wardian Cases (mini Victorian glasshouses) on the ship’s weather deck and peek inside to view the plants that live within. Victorian steamships played a vital role in the global migration of plants and Wardian Cases were used to transport them around the world.
Sensory Trail: Explore sights, sounds and smells like never before with our NEW Sensory Trail. Created in association with the Sensory Trust, this trail encourages visitors to engage with the wider site by using their senses. Designed to be as accessible and inclusive as possible, the trail can be enjoyed by all visitors regardless of age, ability or circumstance.
Being Brunel Highlights Tour: Journey into the world of Isambard Kingdom Brunel to discover the genius behind some of the world’s most important engineering achievements. Our volunteer led Highlights Tour allows visitors to dive deeper into the Being Brunel Museum. Knowledgeable volunteers will highlight themes and objects in the museum retelling fascinating stories to further explore the life and legacy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Facilities

Food & Drinks: The Board Walk is a bright, welcoming space overlooking the Bristol Harbourside, with freshly ground coffee and homemade dishes. Whether you’re stopping by for an invigorating morning espresso or a light, wholesome brunch, our daytime menu is crafted to nourish and delight.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adults (17+ years) Annual Pass

Online: £19.80 (Purchased at least a day in advance)
On The Day: £22

Children (4–16 years) Annual Pass

Online: £13.05 (Purchased at least a day in advance)
On The Day: £14.50

Students Annual Pass

Online: £16.65 (Purchased at least a day in advance)
On The Day: £18.50

Nipper (Under 3 years)

Day Pass: FREE

2 Adults + 2 Children Annual Pass

Online: £57.60 (Purchased at least a day in advance)
On The Day: £64

1 Adult + 2 Children Annual Pass

Online: £39.60 (Purchased at least a day in advance)
On The Day: £44

Guest (Accompanying disabled paying passenger)

FREE

Late Entry Day Pass

Online & On the Day: £11

Universal Credit Day Pass

On-site purchase only: £10

Go Aloft experience

Standard: £35 per participant
For Annual ticket holder: £24 per participant

Pricing URL: https://www.ssgreatbritain.org/your-visit/tickets-and-prices/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

DINING AND PARTIES

Celebrate on board in first class style. Available for drinks receptions, dinners and celebrations, the SS Great Britain offers you the perfect setting for a memorable evening.

First Class Dining Saloon: First class dinners and after-dinner entertainments are held in the First Class Dining Saloon, once admired by Queen Victoria. Hidden cutting-edge technologies and early Victorian opulence combine to ensure the highest standards in luxury and comfort. Ideal for up to 160 guests.
Weather Deck: Commanding one of the region’s most striking views, the Weather Deck is ideal for late spring and summer drinks receptions. Guests can enjoy the historic ship’s waterfront location at the heart of Bristol’s harbour, surrounded by hills and with views of Bristol Cathedral and Cabot Tower. Ideal for up to 200 guests.
Promenade Deck: The Promenade Deck is an elegant space on board the ship, with decorative mirrors and sweeping wooden decks. It offers a unique and special venue for pre-dinner drinks and canapes and networking events. Ideal for 160 guests.
Hayward Saloon: This is a versatile and more intimate space within the ship, used for presentations, meetings and dinners, or as a bar and dance area when booked alongside the First Class Dining Saloon. Ideal for up to 40 guests.
The Shakespeare Room: The opulent Shakespeare Room offers fine dining for up to 12 guests. Host your private evening dinner in Brunel’s dining room as it looked in his home of 18 Duke Street in London. Containing commissioned paintings of scenes from Shakespeare’s plays, the room was named the ‘Shakespeare Room’. In this room he and his wife, Mary, entertained family, friends and influential acquaintances who could help Brunel get his projects off the ground. Ideal for up to 12 guests.
Being Brunel: Being Brunel explores the life and legacy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It brings together for the first time the world’s most significant collection of one of engineering’s greatest minds. Spread across two floors The Being Brunel Museum provides an insight into one of the greatest engineers of all time, while offering an open and spacious event venue for evening recepions. Ideal for up to 160 guests.

Visit the website for more information.

Spring & Summer