SS Great Britain and the Matthew- Bristol, United Kingdom

The SS Great Britain is one of those 'something-for-tourists-to-do Experience Centre' thingies and I can easily understand why some VT tips list it as a tourist trap. It isn't cheap at £10.50
for a single adult (there are deals). This buys you 'membership' for a year, meaning you can visit for free, but that's only really of use if you're fairly local.

However, if you have any real interest in such things there is a huge amount on offer here, presented with brio. The ship is housed in the dry-dock in which she was built, and from the quayside at first she appears to be afloat. A cunning illusion: look closer and there is a rubber seal running round the waterline. The water is only a few centimetres deep. Enter the glass-walled entrance cubicle and descend into the dry dock and you are below the water, a skin of ripples across the glass ceiling.

You are now in a climate-controlled environment egineered to preserve the frail plating of the hull. Below the waterline this has largely been left as it was, in places rusted clean through, although at the stern the original screw and innovative balanced rudder have been recreated.

After a good look at what came back from the Falklands you're ready to board the ship herself . Here a large amount has been restored including much of the accommodation, the magnificent first-class dining salon, and replica engines.
Although a giant in her time the Great Britain is small compared to today's ocean-going ships. The cabins are tiny, with berths a mere 50cm across, and should stop any whingeing about conditions on aircraft.

Lastly there is the museum, which has various chunks of the ship - most imrpessively the main yard, a wrought-iron construction the length of the building - as well as memorabilia and some rather unconvincing 'interactive' exhibits to provide children with handles to turn.

I'd say great if you're really interested. If you just want a gander at the vessel, she's best viewed from across the water on the Hotwell Road or from one of the river boats.

SS Great Britain and the Matthew, Bristol

Bristol Hotels

SS Great Britain and the Matthew, Bristol

Visiting Bristol?

Visiting Bristol?

Bristol Hotels