28 September—29 September 2024

Docks Heritage Weekend

Docks Heritage Weekend is a celebration of Bristol’s rich maritime past with activities for all ages at M Shed, Underfall Yard, the SS Great Britain, and Brunel’s Other Bridge. 

There will be events and activities for all ages at all four sites across both days. You could go on tours of historic docks and bridges, view real-life demonstrations of historic equipment and methods, or try your hand at traditional printing or knot-tying. 

You also have a fantastic opportunity to explore M Shed’s world-beating collection of historic maritime equipment, including the only functioning Stothert & Pitt travelling cranes in the world. 

Here is the full line up: 

At M Shed: 

  • An immersive performance of cargo handling on a 1950s working dockside, ably assisted by Show of Strength Theatre. 
  • An exhibition on unidentified Bristol dockers from times past. Can you help us put names to faces? 
  • Tours of our unique electric cranes. 
  • Cruise through the Floating Harbour on our working tugboat, the John King. 
  • Step up onto the footplate of our working steam locomotive. 
  • Traditional printing workshops inside L Shed. 
  • Screenings of documentary footage of the historic docks in their heyday. 
  • An opportunity to learn about the role of ports in Bristol’s present and future, presented by the Bristol Port Company. 
  • Trips to Underfall Yard on a working vintage bus – present your Docks Heritage Weekend flyer for a free ride! 
  • A live performance by the spellbinding Heartwood Chorus – on Saturday only. 

At the SS Great Britain: 

  • Displays and talks about the history of Albion Dock, an active shipyard in the heart of the modern harbour. 
  • Tours of Underfall Yard, Albion Dock, the SS Great Britain and Princes Wharf by Mr Brunel himself. 
  • £5 off entry to the SS Great Britain after 15:30 each day. 

At Underfall Yard: 

  • Traditional knot skills demonstrations. 
  • Behind-the-scenes workshop tours. 
  • Watch the restored 1907 pumping station in action. 

At Brunel’s Other Bridge: 

  • Tours of Brunel’s swing bridge, lock, and gateway to the harbour. 

Bristol Ferry Boats: 

  • Present a Docks Heritage Weekend flyer for £1 off your ticket. 

Exhibition Sponsors

With thanks to The Bristol Port Company for sponsoring the weekend.

The Bristol Port Company logo

Working Exhibits running this weekend