Brunel's SS Great Britain
SS Great Britain
Brunel's 1843 iron-hulled, screw-propelled ocean liner, now displayed in the dry dock where it was built. Visitors can board it and walk beneath the 'Glass Sea' to see the hull.
SS Great Britain was designed by Brunel and launched in 1843 as the world's first iron-hulled, screw-propelled ocean liner. It sailed between Britain and Australia, and in its later years it was abandoned in the Falkland Islands. In 1970 it was towed back to Bristol and placed in the dry dock where it was originally built. The highlight is the 'Glass Sea,' a glass water surface that encloses the hull, allowing visitors to descend to the bottom of the dry dock to see the hull and propeller. The decks recreate the first-class cabins, steerage, kitchen and sickbay. There is also the Brunel Museum, and climbing the mast is an extra paid activity. Admission costs about 25 pounds, and you can revisit free within a year. Allow 2 to 3 hours. The ship stands on the south bank of the Floating Harbour, about a 20-minute walk from the city centre, or you can take a harbour ferry.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–17:00 (closes earlier at 16:00 in winter)
Nearby sights
- Cabot Tower & Brandon Hill
- Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
- Wills Memorial Building
- Bristol Cathedral
- Banksy's Well Hung Lover
- Wapping Wharf & Cargo
- We The Curious
- M Shed