9 October—10 October 2021

Docks Heritage Weekend

Docks Heritage Weekend is a celebration of Bristol’s maritime past with events for all ages at M Shed, Underfall Yard and ss Great Britain.

There will be events and activities at all three sites, including opportunities to visit M Shed’s iconic cranes and hear about their working life.

Watch re-enactments of cargo handling on the quayside, take a tour of the Albion dock at SS Great Britain and much more! A great day out for the whole family.

Activities at M Shed

  • Trips to the electric cranes (charges apply)
  • Trips on the John King tug (charges apply)
  • Cargo handling demonstrations
  • Dramatic interludes from Show of Strength Theatre Company exploring characters from the docks’ past, Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 4pm
  • Visit the Fairbairn steam crane
  • Trips to see a stationary steam locomotive (charges apply)
  • Visit the Bristol Port Company stand
  • See a Bristol Steam Navigation Company display

Events at SS Great Britain

  • Pre-booked free tours of the Albion Dock
  • Brunel Institute will be open (free) between 11am to 3pm on both days for visitors to drop in to meet a curator and see some of the collection objects celebrating Bristol’s docks heritage
  • Victorian street games on Brunel Square on Saturday
  • Shanty Festival performances on Brunel Square on Sunday
  • ‘Mr Brunel’ will be on Brunel Square both days
  • Photography festival ‘Opening Up’ on Brunel Square both days

Activities at Underfall Yard

  • Demonstrations of traditional blacksmithing skills
  • Appreciate engineering in miniature with model steam engines and workshops
  • Discover the tools of yesteryear with the Tools and Trades History Society
  • Try your hand at nautical knots
  • Watch the pumps that powered a port running throughout the weekend
  • See our magnificent machinery workshops in action
  • Enjoy songs of the sea performed by several sea shanty groups as part of Bristol Shanty Festival (Sunday only).

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In partnership with Underfall Yard and ss Great Britain. With thanks to event sponsors The Bristol Port Company.

Bristol Port Company logo