Access and Facilities

Bristol Dockyards is situated across two historic dockyards on Bristol’s floating harbour. Due to its historic nature, it has uneven, cobbled areas. It’s not a vast site, and the distance between each experience is fairly short. 

Bristol Dockyards is home to the SS Great Britain, a steamship which has been recreated as it would have been in the Victorian era. You can also go beneath the ‘sea’ and look at the ship’s hull and propeller – this is called the Dry Dock. There are also two museums – The SS Great Britain Experience museum, and Being Brunel, plus a collections archive and library called the Brunel Institute, a visitor centre, shop and cafe. You can also explore the dockyards to get a sense of the wider shipbuilding area. 

The ship 

The ship can be overstimulating for some, with immersive sound and smells used to recreate the atmosphere of life on board, and mannequins that some might find unnerving or triggering. There are small cabins and corridors, spaces with low ceilings, and light in some areas is low. The weather deck can be slippery when wet. 

Dry Dock 

The Dry Dock is very warm as the dehumidifier works hard to conserve the iron hull; visitors might get dehydrated quicker while spending time in this space. As it's an historic dry dock, some surfaces are uneven and can be wet. 

However, we hope that this guide will reassure you that you can have a fun, enjoyable and accessible day out with us.

Our access map and site map will help you plan your day.  

We recommend allowing two to five hours to explore the site at a comfortable pace. There are plenty of seating areas and a cafe to rest and break up the day. 

There is a public car park close to the entrance of the museum. You can use any space and just need to display your blue badge for free parking. Designated disabled parking bays are also available for use.  

Step-free access and lifts 

Most areas of the site are accessible for wheelchair users and there are lifts available in: 

• SS Great Britain Experience; museum, ship and Dry Dock 
• Being Brunel 
• The Brunel Institute 

Both levels of Being Brunel are step-free using an alternative route. Please note that the Dock Office is a historic building with narrow corridors and doorways. 

To avoid uneven cobblestones at the main gate, you can use the entrance near The Board Walk cafe-bar. 

Wheelchairs 

Due to the historic nature of the ship, some cabins on board the ship are narrow for some wheelchairs. We offer free loan wheelchairs to help visitors explore more easily, please contact admin@ssgreatbritain.org or 0117 926 0680 to reserve one in advance. 

Download access information for wheelchairs including dimensions on board the ship and lift information. 

Accessible toilets are available in: 

• The Board Walk cafe-bar 
• Visitor Centre (ticket office and shop) 
• Brunel Institute 
• SS Great Britain Experience museum (ground floor) 
• Being Brunel (both levels) 
• On board the ship (Saloon Deck) 

Guide and assistance dogs are most welcome. We recommend visiting with a sighted companion, who will receive free entry. We offer: 

• A tactile model of the ship 
• Braille resources 
• Large-print materials 

Please ask at the Visitor Centre when you arrive.