"Thank you for the activities they were so great. I’m going to remember that day forever. I loved it!"
Jack
With so much to see and do at 'England’s Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 2007', most schools arrive at 10.00 and stay all day!
Open daily from 10am (except 24th & 25th December 2008 & 12th January 2009), until 5.30pm (4.30pm in winter). Last entry one hour before closing.
A truly cross curricular visit, Brunel’s ss Great Britain is an ideal day out of the classroom for all subjects, especially Art and Design, English, History, Geography, Science, Engineering and Citizenship.
Ticket Office
Allow 5 minutes to give your group details to the member of staff at the till and collect your tickets. You can collect a laminated ‘orientation sheet’ from here and keys for the Medlock Education Centre bag store and Riggers’ Yard Cabin with its covered lunch area and additional bag store.
Dry dock
Allow 25 minutes to explore the great iron ship’s hull and marvel at the screw propeller. Ask your pupils to hold their noses to descend under the ‘glass sea’ to see and feel the dehumidification system working which keeps the air dry to protect the hull from rust.
Museum interactives
Allow 30 minutes The Dockyard Museum that helps to explain the fascinating stories behind the ship. Huge interactive exhibits challenge your pupils to steer the ship and operate machinery to lift the giant propeller or steer the ship on a westerly course. Look out for Sinbad the ship’s cat and his fascinating fact panels. Find the Medlock Education Centre on the ground floor, with toilets alongside.
On board ship
Allow 45 minutes for audio or a pre-booked guided tour. Children will benefit from planned ‘extra time’ to explore Brunel’s ss Great Britain accompanied by the adult helpers and teachers in the group. Smells, sounds and sights bring the ship alive. Leave the ship the same way as you boarded, from the top deck.
Riggers Yard lunch area
Allow 30 to 60 minutes….its completely up to you and how many ship’s biscuits the children will be nibbling!
- Undercover seating.
- Seats up to 72 Key Stage 2 children at one time.
- Riggers’ Yard Cabin has a sink, cleaning materials, bag store plus seating and table top for 12 Key Stage 2 children.
- Great place to gather and talk to groups.
- Rubbish bins.
- Views of Bristol’s floating harbour and passing boats.
- Ship’s original masts displayed for viewing.
- Available on a first come, first served basis.
Allow 15-20 minutes, there is a variety of low cost souvenirs of the visit from 50p, £2-3 is the average spend. If you can split a group of 30 in to two, this will speed up the process at the till for your group.
Value for money
- Free audio guides are available from the top deck, a special children’s tour aimed at KS2 upwards, dramatically brings life on board alive.
- Free hand held interactive guides for young British Sign Language users.
- A guided tour of the ship will give a fascinating insight for both children and adults alike but please contact us to check availability and book in advance.
- Free adult helper per six school children.
- Workshops £45 each (£1.50 per head for a group of 30 children).
- Free Education Pack (worth £9.95) on confirmation of workshop booking.
Education Officer to advise on your visit.
Pre visit guidance
For further queries, email the education team.
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