Brunel's SS Great Britain

• Discover Brunel's SS Great Britain, docked in Bristol, the ship that changed the world.
• Go up and down inside and outside of the ship as you discover everything it has to offer.
• See beautiful views as you eat some lunch at the Harbourside Café.
• Enjoy an event on the beautiful deck, or learn more about the boat.

Looking for what to do in Bristol? Discover Brunel's SS Great Britain, in this brilliant Bristol museum.

With a fascinating history spanning 177 years, unique figures to meet, and so much to see, is one of the best things to do in Bristol with kids. If you enjoyed The Golden Hinde but want to learn more about something a little more modern, this is the trip for you.

The SS Great Britain is a museum ship, and originally a former passenger steamship; it is also considered the great-great-grandparent of modern ships today. The SS Great Britain was considered one of the greatest experiments in Britain when it was first launched in 1843.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the designer of the ship, was one of the key civil engineers in Britain at the time.

Brunel built bridges, tunnels, ships and railways that were the best of the time. If you know much about the Industrial Revolution, you may have heard of him, as he changed the face of Britain's industry in the 19th-century.

At 322 ft (98 m) in length, the SS Great Britain was the world's longest passenger ship from 1845 to 1854 and was created for the Great Western Steamship Company's trips between Bristol and New York City. Comprising iron and had a screw propeller, this combination which was a first.

When the SS Great Britain crossed the Atlantic Ocean, it was the first iron steamer to do so, and it accomplished this in two weeks.

SS Great Britain was also used as a ship to take people to Australia. During this time, the captain was John Gray, who was loved by the people on the ship.

Unfortunately, he disappeared in 1872 during a voyage, and was never heard of or seen again; beware of his ghost on the ship! The ship was used until 1886 when it was retired to the Falkland Islands.

There it was used for lots of different purposes like a warehouse and was sunk in 1937.

Luckily, in 1970 it was raised, and the history brought back to the ship. The SS Great Britain is listed as part of the National Historic Fleet.

There's so much history to discover on the boat that we're sure you can make a day of it. To start the day off is the Dockyard Museum.

Travelling through four different time zones, it's here that you'll meet Brunel up close as well as the variety of other people involved with the ship over the years. Dress up in a bonnet or stovepipe hat as well as some of the other elaborate costumes, and then you can have a portrait taken.

There's also the opportunity to delve deep into the mind of Brunel in the Being Brunel exhibitions, or you might be able to find him wandering around the boat. Go below the glass sea which keeps the boat in place, and you can see the ship's hull in the Dry Dock.

Then you can get onto the ship.

You can play on the weather deck with a fun game of quoits, or scrub it like you're a ship's hand. Go downstairs to find steerage, where the lower class Victorians would stay when on the ship.

Have a feel of the bunks and see if you'd like to spend the night there. There's also the dining saloon, galley, stores, bakery, forward hold and engine.

If you want to experience something a little different, try one of the amazing events that are available throughout the year. You might be able to experience the Penguin Trail, where you can try and spot the eggs the penguin has lost.

There are photography exhibitions to see some of the best of Bristol landscapes and the journey of the SS Great Britain across its life.

If you want something more Christmassy, you might like the Christmas Lunch or Christmas Captain's Dinner. Archive in Five brings out original artefacts and diaries, so you can read first-hand accounts of what it was like when the ship was sailing.

If you're feeling hungry, the Harbourside Kitchen is located alongside Brunel’s SS Great Britain, and you can also see views of the floating harbour. You can get hot and cold food, and light meals and snacks, as well as delicious hot fish and chips.

To remember your day, there is also the Gift Shop with everything from pirate-themed shirts to chocolate, while you can see a view of the stern of the ship.

If you're looking for more brilliant Bristol places to go, We The Curious is an amazing science and art experience, and Bristol Aquarium will take you under the sea after floating on it.

What to know before you go

• The SS Great Britain opening hours are subject to change throughout the year, so always check before you visit.
• You must pre-book your ticket before arriving, and a time slot will be booked at the same time. Allow two to five hours for your visit.
• Your ticket will allow you to visit for 12 months after your visit.
• All accessible toilets are open, but some may require a staff member to open.
• Wheelchairs are available to borrow. As some cabins are too narrow for wheelchairs, there are special wheelchairs available.
• Alternative access points have been made available where possible so that all can access the boat museum. The Dock Office is a historic building with narrow corridors and doorways.

Getting there

• Bristol City Centre is a 20-minute walk from the boat.
• For Brunel's SS Great Britain parking, there is a car park next to the ship on Gas Ferry Road. Bristol City Council runs it.
• There are three park and ride car parks that can be used, and are used instead of buses: M2 Metrobus from Long Ashton Park & Ride to Bristol City Centre; A4 Bath Road 904 service; A370 Long Ashton 903 service.
• The closest station is Bristol Temple Meads, which is a 30-minute walk away from Gas Ferry Road.
• Cycle racks are available.