Bristol’s number one attraction – the SS Great Britain

If you find yourself asking what to do when you only have few hours to spend in Bristol UK, I have an answer for you. Without any hesitation, I would recommend seeing the SS Great Britain, even if you only can do one thing in the city. It is without a doubt one of the most impressive museums I have seen in my life.

SS Great Britain

This summer was my second visit to this place and I am still as impressed as the first time I saw it a couple of years ago.

When the SS Great Britain was launched in 1843, she was thought to be the largest ship in the world and was called “the greatest experiment since the Creation.” Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, she was the first big ship built of iron, fitted with a powerful steam engine and a screw propeller. Brunel’s genius and revolutionary ideas and innovations changed history, starting with this ship.

SS Great Britain

Initially designed as a luxury trans-Atlantic trade and travel vessel, it was built to carry 252 first and second class passengers and 130 crew.

SS Great Britain Museum

SS Great Britain

In 1852, after being remodeled, it began carrying emigrants to Australia. An extra deck was built at this time, raising the carrying capacity to 700 passengers.

SS Great Britain

Later, between 1882 and 1886, the SS Great Britain became a large cargo ship to carry coal and wheat between England and the west coast of America.

This gorgeous ship was retired in 1933. It was left rusting in the Falkland Islands after being damaged beyond repair in the rough stormy waters. There it stayed until 1970, when naval architect Ewan Corlett and his team brought her back home. Now, Brunel’s SS Great Britain sits in the original Great Western Dockyard in Bristol, where she was built.

At the ship’s museum, you can see her long history and items from different eras of her long adventure. You can go to dry docks and also see a full size scale model of the engine, made with lightweight materials. It’s impressive to see what this gorgeous lady has been trough. You can also dress up as Victorian era passengers or a captain and take a picture – fun for kids!

SS Great Britain Museum

SS Great Britain Museim

But the most impressive exhibition lies aboard the ship itself.

When entering the ship, you can pick up a free audio guide from the perspective of different 19th century passengers traveling to Australia. It can be a first class passenger, a sailor, a captain, or a marine biologist. Explore the deck and the beautiful views of Bristol. Then, get down below for an interesting and amusing exhibition. I have to warn you, the stairs and the paths might be too narrow at times and the ceiling might be low, so mind your head and be prepared.

SS Great Britain

SS Great Britain

You will see how the ship was during the 19^th century voyages to Australia, and you can hear the passengers talking and smell everything. You can smell and hear the engine room, see the dining hall and the rooms of different class passengers. You can see the kitchen in action and hear some people’s (mannequins, that is) conversations. The barber’s place smells like soap and the butcher’s like meat and blood. In the doctor’s office you smell blood mixed with bandages and antiseptic medicine.

SS Great Britain

SS Great Britain

One of the nicest smells is the fresh breads and the desserts in the pantry – but then the dirty dishes smell just like dirty dishes with old pieces of food, and hint of bacon. I do not know how they do that, but it is absolutely amazing!

SS Great Britain

Dirty dishes in the kitchen at SS Great Britain

You see and smell many other things, but there is one thing I would have to warn you about. If you have a sensitive stomach, do not stick your nose in the little cabin with a sick girl throwing up. That place does smell like it was during that time: it has a strong smell of vomit.

SS Great Britain and a sick girl

Butcher at SS Great Britain

It is not brightly lit inside the ship and the small rooms and pathways. With the mannequins and different smells it occasionally feels a little creepy. You might be scared but amused at the same time.

One tip that might come in handy when passing the first class hall: You will see a lady at the piano and hear her playing. The lady is a real person, not a mannequin or a robot! It is a real lady playing live for your pleasure. That was kind of out of place and seemed so surreal that even on my second visit I still got spooked. After all, it is weird to see a real human being in the kingdom of mannequins.

First Class Dining Hall at SS Great Britain

The tickets are a bit pricey at 14 £ for an adult and 8£ for a child, but you can come as many times as you want during the next year.

You can take a small ferry across the river, which only takes a couple of minutes and costs 80 pence a person one way. On the other side of the river is Bristol city center with many restaurants and cafes to choose from.

Take a small ferry across the river