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ARTS, CULTURE & TOURISM
Great Western Dockyard,
Gas Ferry Road, Bristol, BS1 6TY
0117 926 0680
SS GREAT BRITAIN
Named by Visit England as
the Best Told Story of 2014,
SS Great Britain surely
ranks among Britain’s most
breathtaking visitor attractions.
Once the longest floating
structure in the world, the SS
Great Britain ocean liner was
the brainchild of engineering
genius Isambard Kingdom
Brunel. Nowadays, the vessel
is home to a fascinating
museum replete with Victorian-
era artefacts and populated by
costumed guides. As you stroll
along the decks, you’ll gain a
keen insight into seafaring in
years gone by. Sneak into the
luxury cabins of the First Class
passengers and explore the
cramped galley kitchen while
avoiding the cantankerous
cook. All the while, the
costumed ‘passengers’ are
only too happy to tell their
stories and lead you on a
merry adventure. There’s an
educational element, of course
– you’ll learn how the famous
ship travelled a million miles at
sea, looping the world 32 times.
Alongside the ship itself lies the
Brunel Institute and the brilliant
David MacGregor Library. Here
you’ll find scale models, plans,
diaries and letters written by
the ship’s passengers, as
well as drawings made by
Brunel himself. All in all, this
fascinating maritime attraction
is a credit to the city in which
it resides.
