Literacy Activities
Captain your own story
Step into Bristol Dockyards through words. Try these creative activities to become a diarist, journalist, poet or even the Captain of your own story.
Passengers needed a ticket to travel on the SS Great Britain. Where would you go and why? Fill in your own boarding card.
Use historic photographs from our collection to spark your imagination and inspire your own stories.
Imagine you’ve stowed away on board, what would you write about your journey?
Life aboard wasn’t just for sailors, rats were regular, if uninvited, passengers on the vessel. Imagine you’re one of these furry stowaways. What would a rat’s life at sea be like?
Get to grips with the language of the sea and discover key nautical words.
Explore how the ship was built by labelling its key features. From the towering masts to the iron hull, discover every angle of how this remarkable ship was put together.
Take inspiration from Brunel’s diary and artwork of the ship’s launch to write your own diary extract.
Step into the shoes of a Victorian sailor and record a day at sea. Think about the conditions, passengers, and progress of the voyage. What stories does your logbook entry reveal about life aboard?
Can you persuade others to set sail? Design a bold, eye-catching poster for the ship.
Step into the role of a journalist and write a story for the Great Britain Times.
Imagine you’re on board, what would you write home to family or friends?
Download case helped protect plants on long voyages. You can see examples of them aboard our Ship. What would you take with you on board? Choose and design your own.
Art & Design Activities
Try these resources at home, in the classroom, or before your visit—download, make, and let your imagination set sail.