SS Great Britain: February Half Term Activities in Bristol

SS Great Britain: February Half Term Activities in Bristol

Posted on: 13 Feb 2018

The iconic SS Great Britain - built by that world-renowned, stovepipe hat-wearing, cigar-chomping genius engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel - has always been a huge attraction in Bristol for young and old alike. But this half term, they're putting on a few extra treats for families looking for some fun games and educational activities during the school break. 

SS Great Britain in Bristol

So, without further ado, here they are; the last one one - the sea-going, mast-climbing spectacular, Go Aloft! - running until Sunday 25 February. All the activities are included as part of the admission price unless otherwise noted.   

 

Meet Costumed Characters
10am - 4.30pm daily until Sunday 18 February

The Ragged Victorians will bring you up close and personal with the kind of people of the period, fully costumed in authentic era attire, performing The Gilmour family who were steerage passengers during the ship's first voyage to Australia in 1852.

 

Boarding Cards
10am - 4.30pm daily

With the new Boarding Cards you'll be able to experience the lives of those who lived and worked on the the legendary, groundbreaking passenger ship. You can choose one of 36 characters who formed part of its fascinating history gleaned from diaries and ship records and re-live their life through the realistic Victorian setting.  

SS Great Britain in Bristol

Extended Archive in Five
11.30am - 2.30pm. Tuesday 13- Friday 16 February, free in the Brunel Institute

These special Archive In Five sessions give you the chance to hear the curators themselves talk about the amazing artifacts from the collection.

 

Discover Global Stories
10am - 4.30pm daily 

The new, massive database - Global Stories - presents real-life accounts of crew members and passengers who sailed aboard the ship. It took three years to curate and contains a fascinating insight into more than 30,000 of the SS Great Britain's voyagers. It's possible that one of your ancestors may have even travelled on Brunel's incredible ocean-going vessel - you can always find out. 

 

Go Aloft!
12pm - 4pm. Daily until Sunday 25 February, £10 per person

What better opportunity to slip into the shoes of a Victorian sailor and climb the colossal mainmast of the SS Great Britain? Upon reaching the top - over 25m above ground level - you can, if you've got strong and brave enough sea legs, get a stunning view of Bristol.  

 

To find out more abut the SS Great Britain, click here.

 

SS Great Britain is located at Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol, BS1 6TY.  Tel. 0117 926 0680
 


Article by:

Jamie Caddick

Jamie is a writer, blogger, journalist, critic, film fan, soundtrack nerd and all-round Bristolian good egg.  He loves the music of Philip Glass, the art of Salvador Dali, the writings of Charles Bukowksi and Hunter S Thompson, the irreverence of Harry Hill, and the timeless, straw-chomping exuberance of The Wurzels.  You can sometimes find him railing against a surging tide of passing cyclists, or gorging himself senseless on the Oriental delights of a Cosmos all-you-can-eat buffet.