Access & Facilities

Everyone is welcome at Bristol Dockyards.

SS Great Britain sat on Bristol Dockyards with the red sky at night

We pride ourselves on providing a welcoming, inclusive, safe and accessible space for all. If you need support at any point, just ask a member of our team. We’re here to help.

We understand that you may need a carer to enjoy your visit. One personal assistant is permitted for free entry if you are disabled. Just add it to your basket when booking.

HELP PLANNING YOUR VISIT

Not sure whether the site works for you? We’ll talk through your needs and help you plan a visit that feels right for you.

Phone: 0117 926 0680
Email: hello@bristoldockyards.org

Get in touch

Don’t just take our word for it

Welcome to Bristol Dockyards

"Absolutely fantastic, staff on hand at all times, helpful information, helpful from the start! Easy access to get around and explore the ship! Lifts available for those who need them so they can also explore the whole ship! Wheelchair accessible and fantastic staff with lots of knowledge."

— Josh Brown

"Well, what can I say, utterly fantastic! Whoever designed the accessibility for a disabled person - BRILLIANT! And for the average person - AWESOME! So informative and the way you are immersed into the ship just totally 100% very clever. Oh my partner used her mobility scooter all the way, lifts very clever. Many Many thanks"

— Barry McArdle

"Today, my family and I visited the historic SS Great Britain, and it was truly an incredible experience. We spent nearly five hours exploring the ship, and time just flew by—we didn’t feel it at all.

One of the most impressive aspects was how well-equipped the site is for children and visitors with mobility issues. Everything is thoughtfully arranged, and you’ll have no trouble navigating the space. The staff were all incredibly kind and passionate, proudly sharing stories about the ship’s history."

— Shahram Mousavi

"The ship is fully accessible so, as someone with mobility issues, I was able to explore the whole thing with my family as a lift system has been installed so you can access all decks. The museums are wonderful and full of amazing artefacts and information. These are also fully accessible."

— Andrea

"Visited with my Mum and Dad who uses a powerchair. We were hugely impressed with how much of the ship Dad could access. There's a lift all the way through the middle of the ship so Dad could get to all decks."

— Jane K

"My wife has mobility issues, and therefore frequently utilises a wheelchair, she frequently remarks that she is left alone while I venture off exploring areas she cannot access, the SS Great Britain is poles apart from the norm. There was nowhere on the vessel that we could not access together, lifts, ramps provided easy access to all areas.
This must be one of the foremost attractions within the UK specifically in respect to accessibility, experience of the era and value for money."

— Kevev2016

Planning your trip

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.

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.

Plan your visit

Visual story and sensory guides

Our visual and sensory guides help you prepare for your visit. They include images and clear information about what you can expect to see, hear and do.

Sensory access

Calm Sessions

We run Calm Sensory Sessions for visitors who benefit from a quieter, more relaxed environment, including many neurodivergent visitors.

Sessions take place before opening, or during quieter times on site. Reach out to find out more.

Reach out

Sensory Trail and Learning Backpacks

Our Sensory Trail and Learning Backpacks are designed to help those with sensory or educational needs to make the most of their day. Ask about them at the visitor centre.