Bristol SS Great Britain www.ssgreatbritain.org

This is a stunning historical tourist attraction, situated on Bristol's famous harbourside. No matter your age you're guaranteed to have a great day out. I went a couple of years ago but am really keen to return with friends this time - I'd highly recommend it!

http://visitbristol.co.uk/site/things-to-do/brunel-s-ss-great-britain-p25861#ProductList-/site/things-to-do/brunel-s-ss-great-britain-p25861

My visit to SS Great Britain in Bristol took place on Easter Monday, 17th April 2006. I took my 13 year old son for a trip around Brunel's SS Great Britain. I must admit, I did wonder if there would be enough to see to warrant the adult admission price of £8.95 and children £4.95 (under 4 year olds free) - family ticket available £24.95 for 2 adults and up to 3 children. I was most pleasantly surprised, and I would say that it is well worth the money, as you are allowed to have unlimited visits for one year.

Firstly, you are invited to descend beneath the glass sea for a close up view of the giant hull and screw propeller, and the state-of-the-art equipment which is keeping the atmosphere dry is fascinating. Then you walk through another exhibition area before entering the ship. We walked around this ship using the audio guide. You had 4 choices of guides:- (1) First Class, in which Victorian passengers describe the adventure of luxury travel around the world. (2) Third Class, in which immigrants travelling to Australia's gold-fields endure the hardships of a two-month voyage in steerage. (3) Children can join Florence and Tom's search for Sinbad, the ship's cat. (4) Explore the ship with a maritime expert, to learn about the design and construction of Brunel's great ship. My son was so impressed he went around three times using different audio guides! The SS Great Britain has been brought to life with all the sights, sounds and smells of a pioneering voyage to Australia; from what the third class passenger endured in their berths through to the opulence of the first class berths. There are plenty of artifacts to see, and you can really imagine what it was like on-board, what the people ate and how they dressed, etc.

I would imagine in high season that it would be a little crowded on board, as the stairs leading into the ship were somewhat narrow; too narrow in places for two people to pass each other. However, this doesn't feel like a museum, but a trip back in time. You can actually imagine what it was like on-board during a voyage; the joys, the tragedies, and disasters accumulating on this large vessel. Everything has been created like it would have been in Victorian times.

If you are ever near or go to Bristol, do take time to pay a visit. I would allow 2/3 hours to go around the boat and visit a separate exhibition (also included in the price). A caf is there for refreshments and a souvenir shop. Toilet facilities, and baby changing facilities are on the dockyard as well as on the ship. The ship and dry dock are fully accessible via lifts to take wheelchairs/buggies and elderly who would find the stairs difficult. Some of the small cabins on the ship would be too narrow for standard wheelchairs, but apparently special wheelchairs are provided that will fit through the cabin doors at the ticket office. Dedicated wheelchair assistants have free admission when accompanying a disabled visitor. Also British Sign Language video guides are provided for deaf visitors, as well as audio guides especially designed for blind and partially blind visitors, although they recommend a designated sighted guide to accompany. Guide dogs are welcomed. I recommend flat shoes as some of the stairs are a little steep in places. Guides are on standby over the ship should you require assistance.

Would I recommend this? Definitely! Car parking was Pay & Display and cost £1.10 for up to 4 hours.

"Step back in time on board Brunel's ss Great Britain - the world's first great ocean liner. Launched in 1843 to provide luxury travel to New York, the ship set new standards in engineering, reliability and speed. She was the world's first large iron ship and the first to be driven by a screw propeller"

We visited Bristol recently and being a Victoriana nut I dragged my husband and our friends to this exhibition. An excellent day out even though it was somewhat chilly (being December and all lol). The conservation work already done to restore this beautiful and unique ship to its former glory is astounding and a visit (or several) is highly recommended.