By Road
Follow the white anchor symbol on the brown tourist signs for ss Great Britain
Sat. Nav. Reference: BS1 6TY
Download the directions map (pictured above).
Download the Bristol city centre map.
M5
- Exit the M5 at Junction 18.
- At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto the A4 Portway, into Bristol (approx. 4 miles).
- After passing under Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge, you reach Cumberland Basin one-way system.
- Take the left exit, signposted the City Centre and Historic Harbour, and after the traffic lights get into the right-hand lane.
- At the next set of lights get into the left lane, taking the first exit to cross the old swing bridge.
- Once across the old swing bridge fork left after the Nova Scotia pub and Howards’ Bistro, and within 100 metres turn left onto Cumberland Road.
- Follow Cumberland Road for approximately 1km (0.6 mile) and take a left into Gas Ferry Road.
- Follow the road into the pay and display car park, next to Brunel’s ss Great Britain.
M4 / M32
- Exit the M4 at Junction 19.
- Take the M32 and continue until the motorway ends.
- Stay in the left hand lane and follow brown tourist ‘white anchor’ signs for ss Great Britain.
- Go through the underpass.
- Take the 2nd exit at the next roundabout.
- Pass Temple Meads Railway Station on your left and get into the right-hand lane.
- At the roundabout, follow the brown tourist ‘white anchor’ sign, and turn onto York Road (which runs on the south side of the river).
- Follow York Road to next roundabout at Bedminster Bridge.
- Take the 3rd exit (taking you across the river) onto Commercial Road.
- At the next mini roundabout take the left exit onto Cumberland Road.
- Follow Cumberland Road for 800metres (0.5 miles) and turn right into Gas Ferry Road.
- Follow the road into the pay and display car park.
A4 Bath Road
- Refer to the Bristol City Centre downloadable map
- As you get to the end of Bath road, turn left at the traffic lights onto York Road.
- At the roundabout, take the third exit onto Commercial Road.
- Follow the road to a mini roundabout and take the first exit onto Cumberland Road.
- Turn right onto Gas Ferry Road.
- Follow the road into the pay and display car park.
By Public Transport
By train
Trains to Bristol Temple Meads - A 30 minute walk or short ferry or bus ride.
By Bus
Bus No. 500 runs every 20 minutes between Temple Meads Station, City Centre and Brunel’s ss Great Britain. These buses are accessible by wheelchair users.
Citysightseeing red open top buses also operate between Temple Meads Station and Brunel’s ss Great Britain.
Bristol Ferry Boat Company
Timetabled ferries run to and from Brunel’s ss Great Britain seven days a week all year round. The boats are heated and covered in Winter.
You can catch the ferry from Temple Meads Railway Station and also en-route to Brunel’s ss Great Britain at:
- Castle Park (near Broadmead and Cabot Circus Shopping Centre).
- Bristol Bridge.
- Welsh Back (nr. King St. and St. Nicholas’ Market).
Ferries run every hour between April and October, weekends and school holidays. A limited service weekdays between November and March.
From Hotwells and at:
- Mardyke pub.
- Pump House pub and restaurant (off Hotwells Road).
- The Cottage pub (off Cumberland Road).
- City Centre (Cascade Steps).
Ferries run every 40 minutes.
For more information:
Tel. 0117 927 3416
Visit the Bristol Ferry Boat Website
Email the Bristol Ferry Boat Company
Cross-Harbour Ferry
Runs between Brunel’s ss Great Britain and Hotwell Road.
November to March
Monday to Friday 7.30am –to 9.30am. 4.15pm to 6.15pm
Saturday to Sunday 10.30am to 4.40pm
April to October
Monday to Friday 7.30am to 6.15pm
Saturday to Sunday 10.30am to 5.30pm
Each one-way journey costs 50p. Children under five travel for free. A monthly commuter ticket costs £10.
The ferry can accommodate bicycles, pushchairs and wheelchairs.
This service is funded by the ss Great Britain Trust and Bristol City Council Directorate of Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development.
By Foot
Brunel’s ss Great Britain is within easy walking distance from Bristol City Centre, Bristol Temple Meads and most arterial roads.
Cycling
Limited cycle racks are available on site. Please note that bikes are left at the owners’ risk.