Go Aloft: Rig Climb Experience

Go Aloft actively supports participation for adults and children of varying abilities but, to help us ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time, we do have some restrictions in place. 

Age Restrictions

The Go Aloft experience is suitable for anyone 10 years or older. Participants aged 10-17 years old require the consent of a supervising adult via a disclaimer form to take part in the activity. The supervising adult is responsible for them at all times and must ensure they can physically see them for the duration of the activity. Please note supervising adults will still need to pay for admission to Brunel’s SS Great Britain.  

There is no upper age limit as long as you are fit and healthy!  

Height & Weight Restrictions

Participants must be at least 1.4metres /4’5’’ tall due to the length of reach needed in some areas and less than 114 kilos/18 stone in weight. 

Experience

No previous climbing experience is required but Go Aloft does require a moderate level of fitness. 

Medical Conditions

The experience is not suitable for people with certain medical conditions e.g. pregnancy, heart conditions or spinal injuries. You must not be suffering from any medical condition that may be aggravated or exacerbated by participation in Go Aloft or that may put your health and safety, or that of others at risk.  

Access Requirements

While we will always try our best, due to the nature of the experience we are not able to accommodate all access requirements. 

We regret that people in wheelchairs or who have a lower leg amputation cannot climb. Others that have motor function impairment need to be visually assessed by an instructor first and cleared by their doctor before knowing whether they can climb. People with visual impairment are permitted to climb and wear glasses, however if classed as blind we will need advance warning so we can ensure your climb is as enjoyable as possible. If you have a hearing impairment this will not affect your participation; however cochlear implants will need to be removed before climbing due to where the helmet sits.  

Go Aloft actively supports participation for children and adults of varying abilities. If you have any special access requirements these should be notified to us as soon as possible so we can ensure we have our most experienced instructors available to assist.  

The safety of our climbers, staff, volunteers and other visitors is paramount and the final decision on the day will be made by the senior instructor.  

Disclaimer Forms

All participants must sign a disclaimer before the climb and participants aged 10-17 must have adult consent and supervision.  

For full details, please see our T&Cs.

Prices are £35 per participant regardless of age, unless you are an annual ticket holder in which case the experience starts from £24 per participant. This includes day admission to Brunel’s SS Great Britain. 

Climbs will take place in all conditions unless the weather is considered to pose a health and safety risk to participants – generally strong winds (consistently above 20mph and/or gusts above 30mph) and/or lightning. The weather is constantly monitored and we will inform you beforehand if we feel the   weather may mean we can’t open Go Aloft. We will endeavour to reschedule your booking to the next available date that is suitable to you. If an alternative date cannot be found we will refund the value of the Go Aloft tickets purchased to the original method of payment, or you can choose to donate the value of the climb to us instead – read more about our charitable goals here. 

Any contact will be in the form of an email so you are advised to check your in-box   before visiting to avoid any potential unnecessary travel. 

When you’re ready to book your Go Aloft experience, make sure you to check out our ticket options below: 

1. Go Aloft: Day Pass
2. Go Aloft: Annual Ticket Holder
3. Go Aloft: Gift Voucher

Pick the date and time you want to climb using the calendar. If a time is unavailable it means that slot is sold out but it’s easy to select an alternative date.  

Please note that all our tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable so it’s important you familiarise yourself with our T&Cs before purchasing tickets.  

Please arrive at Brunel’s SS Great Britain at least 15 minutes before your scheduled Go Aloft climb. This allows time to travel from the main entrance to the Weather Deck, where a member of our crew will meet you for a short safety briefing. You’ll learn more about what life was like for Victorian sailors before taking on the climb yourself.

The full experience typically lasts 20–30 minutes, including the fitting of safety equipment and the climb.

For safety reasons, late arrivals may not be able to take part and will not be eligible for a refund. You’ll be asked to empty your pockets before climbing; limited storage is provided for personal belongings. Participants must follow all instructor directions at all times.

Yes. There may be walk up slots on the day for admission ticket holders but this is not guaranteed.

Due to the technical nature of the activity only two people can participate at the same time.

Go Aloft will operate four days a week (Thursdays-Sundays) during the Spring and Summer of 2026. Please check timeslots for availability. Please plan your day with us around the time of your climb. Average visit time is around three hours.

Please bring an electronic or printed copy of your booking confirmation.

Sensible clothing should be worn. Your shoulders, midriff and upper legs should be covered. You will be open to the elements so please check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. SS Great Britain will not be liable for any damage to clothing. You must wear closed toe shoes, trainers or boots that will not fall off. Open toe shoes, sandals, flip flops or high heels are not permitted. Long hair must be tied back. Skirts or dresses are not appropriate. Jewellery and scarves must be removed. Gloves are not provided but wearing well-fitting gloves is permitted and encouraged, particularly in cold weather.

Loose items (including mobile phones) are not permitted when taking part in Go Aloft!

Please check your spam box as the ticket confirmation may have been sent there. If they still haven’t been received contact us at tickets@ssgreatbritain.org

Once booked tickets are non-transferrable and are unable to be rescheduled, refunded or cancelled.

Storage

Limited storage will be provided but personal belongings are stored at your own risk. Please only bring with you what you need on the day.

Are cameras, bags and personal items allowed?

Not during the climb. Limited storage will be provided for personal belongings.

Can I carry my medication while participating?

If medication is essential it can be left with a staff member on the weather deck. Under no circumstances can we allow medication to be carried by participants.

Can I wear my hearing aid or glasses?

Yes, if they are well fitting and not liable to fall off.

• All tickets sold are subject to the terms and conditions set out here. Please read these carefully and raise any queries you have before purchase. Your purchase constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.  

• Participation in Go Aloft is at the discretion of the SS Great Britain Trust. The Trust reserves the right to refuse or discontinue participation of any person on the activity if, in the opinion of its authorised staff, that person is unfit or unable to participate safely or poses a risk to the safety of any other person. This includes any behaviour which undermines the role of any member of the Go Aloft Activity’s operating team. 

• It is your responsibility to check your tickets as if you have made a mistake it cannot always be rectified after purchase. Please email tickets@sgreatbritain.org if there is a mistake.  

• You must produce a valid ticket to gain access to Go Aloft.

• Brunel’s SS Great Britain reserve the right to vary pricing, some of which may be beyond our control.  

• Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol or who is reasonably assumed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be able to participate in the activity. 

• If you have any special access requirements please discuss such requirements before purchasing tickets with a member of our crew by contacting admin@ssgreatbritain.org. Due to the technical nature of the activity, climbers are not able to take a companion/carer with them. Each side of the course has two lines, one is used by the participant and one by the instructor meaning participants cannot climb side-by-side. 

• The experience lasts 20-30 minutes on average but will vary between individuals.  

• Any personal data provided by you will be used in accordance with the data protection act 1998, except where Brunel’s SS Great Britain is required by law to do otherwise.  

• Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. If you are unable to climb at your allotted time we will not be able to issue a refund or reschedule your booking.  

• Tickets for Go Aloft are timed. Ticket holders should arrive on the weather deck 15 minutes before the time stated on their ticket to avoid missing their slot. We cannot guarantee participation in Go Aloft if you are late.   

• Go Aloft will operate in most weather conditions with the exception of high winds or lightning. In these instances we will endeavour to contact you prior to the day of your climb by email. In the rare occasions weather turns suddenly and we cannot honour your climb on the day of your climb we will offer you the choice of a refund or to reschedule. No refunds or rescheduling will be offered as a result of other inclement weather conditions.   

• Go Aloft is a psychologically and physically challenging activity. Participants should familiarise themselves with the nature of the climb and complete a disclaimer form prior to the climb. No refunds will be offered if you decide not to climb or do not turn up for your climb.  

• If you have been removed from Go Aloft for inappropriate behaviour eg. violation of safety rules you will not be entitled to a refund or an alternative session.  

• If we are unable to honour a rig climb due to bad weather or factors beyond our control, Brunel’s SS Great Britain will take all reasonable measures to contact you when cancellation has occurred and refund you the full value of your Go Aloft tickets or offer a rescheduled date for your Go Aloft climb. Any contact will be made via email so you are advised to check your email before making the journey to us. Admission tickets to SS Great Britain are non-refundable (as they are valid for twelve months allowing return visits) and subject to their own Terms and Conditions – see admission tickets T&Cs.
    

• Participants must be at least ten years old. Participants between the ages of 10 and 17 require the consent of a supervising adult via a disclaimer form to take part in the activity. The supervising adult is responsible for them at all times and must ensure they can physically see them for the duration of the activity. Supervising adults are responsible for ensuring that supervised children understand and adhere to these terms and conditions while participating in Go Aloft, even if not climbing, supervising adults will be required to have a valid admission ticket to Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Under 10’s are not permitted to climb. We reserve the right to ask for proof of age and deny access if it cannot be provided.   

• Go Aloft requires a moderate level of fitness and is physically testing and challenging. You must be capable of completing the climb unaided and be in a good state of health to participate. Brunel’s SS Great Britain is unable to advise you on medical conditions so please consult with medical specialists before booking if you or your children are in a fit state of health to participate.  

• You must not be suffering from any medical condition that may be aggravated or exacerbated by participation in Go Aloft or that may put your health and safety, or that of others at risk. Anyone with any of the following medical conditions cannot climb or can only climb under the conditions stated: 

• Anyone who is pregnant cannot take part 

• Anyone who has suffered a spinal injury cannot take part 

• Anyone with a heart condition cannot take part 

• Anyone who has undergone a minor operation cannot take part until at least 3 months after their operation and cleared by their doctor 

• Anyone who has undergone a major operation cannot take part until at least 6 months after their operation and after being cleared by their doctor 

• Anyone who has undergone an operation on their heart, brain or spine cannot take part 

• In addition to the above climbers must be at least 1.4metres /4’5’’ tall and less than 18 stone/114 kilos in weight. 

• All participants will sign the Go Aloft Disclaimer and confirm they have read the safety advisory notes including medical information details, which will be inspected by an instructor. The instructor will ascertain the capabilities of all participants to partake in the Activity by reading the medical forms and by further questioning on any conditions listed and weighing or measuring the height of the participant, if required. 

• Brunel’s SS Great Britain will not be liable for any injury, loss or damage however caused, except for personal injury through staff negligence.  

• If you have any special access requirements these should be notified to us as soon as possible. We may not be able to accommodate all access requirements if we have not been notified of them prior to the date of the visit, which may result in you not being allowed admission or a refund. We will make reasonable attempts to facilitate your climb, however taking into account your health and safety and that of other climbers we may not be able to accommodate your needs, and we reserve the right, without refund, to refuse to permit you to participate if we believe the climb jeopardizes your health and safety or that of others.

• Participants will be provided with a harness, helmet and other safety equipment needed for your climb. This must always be worn and must not be interfered with. If you feel uncomfortable please notify your instructor who will assist you. You must wear closed toe shoes, trainers or boots that will not fall off. Open toed shoes, sandals or high heels are not permitted. Gloves are permitted and recommended, particularly in cold weather. Shoes and gloves are not provided.  

• You must wear suitable clothing that is appropriate for the weather conditions. Your clothing must not restrict your movement, obstruct your vision, lead to overheating in hot weather or become entangled in your safety equipment. For this reason skirts and dresses are not appropriate. We reserve the right to refuse your participation in Go Aloft if we consider that your clothing does not meet these requirements or poses a health and safety risk to you or other participants. A refund will not be offered.  

• Brunel’s SS Great Britain will not be liable for any damage to clothing. 

• Spectacles and hearing aids may be worn but must be secure and not loose fitting. 

• You will not be permitted to take any personal possessions with you on the climb. Personal possessions including mobile phones must be left in the storage provided. All items are left at your own risk and you should bear in mind this and limitations of storage when deciding what to bring with you on the day of your climb.  

• You are not permitted to take cameras, phones or any other recording devices with you during your climb.  

• Anyone accompanying you who is not climbing is welcome to take photographs during your climb, so long as they don’t bring in tripods, lighting equipment, etc. and they don’t intrude on other visitors’ experiences or privacy. We encourage them to share photographs on social media, and we’re generally happy when photographs are uploaded to sharing platforms. 

• Permission should be sought in advance for photoshoots and film shoots by contacting the marketing team or commercial (venue hire) team. Generally, the marketing team would review a request from a media/brand alignment perspective before filming. Venue fees would be quoted by the commercial team if applicable.