SS GREAT BRITAIN
BRUNEL
Clifton Suspension Bridge
CLIFTON
Bristol Dock
SS Great Britain
Tour highlights:
Gala dinner on board the SS Great Britain in the First Class Dining Saloon
Private boat cruise through the original Bristol Docks and floating harbour
Talk by Brunel expert Tim Bryan
SS Great Britain museum
Steel, steam and daring design come together on this journey through Brunel’s Bristol. Walk the length of the SS Great Britain, dine beside its iron hull, and admire the expanse of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. A private tour of the Brunel Institute and a cruise through the city’s working harbour complete the experience.
In 1859, the great engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel died at just 53, but in that lifetime he completely revolutionised transport in Britain and beyond, and his engineering achievements are still recognised across the developed world. This wonderful UK short break explores the many aspects of his remarkable talents as an engineer, designer and entrepreneur. His ship, the SS Great Britain, is proudly located in Bristol, in dry docks, where she was built in 1843 as the first screw driven purpose built passenger liner. It is here in the First Class dining saloon, where you will enjoy a special gala dinner.
Available Departures |
From |
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| 17 - September - 2026 | £ 1149.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings |
Day 1: Arrive independently at The Bristol Hotel from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception, private dinner with wine and an introductory talk by Tim Bryan, author and former General Manager of STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway, who will outline the life and achievements of the great Brunel.
Day 2: SS Great Britain visit, Clifton Suspension Bridge and dinner on board the SS Great Britain.
This morning we visit the SS Great Britain and museum, that describes in detail the story of this remarkable passenger ship. While here we will also see the ‘Being Brunel’ exhibition, where Brunel’s inventive genius will be celebrated with never before seen personal possessions, documents and artefacts. We then head to Bristol’s most beautiful neighbourhood, Clifton, to visit the magnificent Suspension Bridge, designed by Brunel, but not completed until after his death. Whilst here we will have a guided tour and a look round the interpretation centre. This evening is the highlight of this special event tour - a private evening on board the SS Great Britain, with a drinks reception and gala dinner with wine in the ship's First Class Dining Saloon. During dinner we will also enjoy a recreation of the lives of passengers and crew by actress Kim Hicks, based on surviving records and diaries.
Day 3: Brunel Institute and harbour cruise with lunch.
This morning we will visit the Brunel Institute, a world-class maritime research centre, for a private visit. We will then embark on a private boat cruise to see the famous landmarks and sights around the floating harbour and sail upstream onto the upper stretches of the rural river Avon. You will be given an informing and entertaining commentary, with the Midshipman's buffet lunch served onboard. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.00.
NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 45 passengers.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
The Bristol Hotel, Prince Street
A stylish waterfront hotel in the heart of the city. Overlooking the Floating Harbour, it offers modern rooms, The River Grille restaurant, and easy access to Bristol’s cultural and historic attractions.
Car parking available to overnight guests in the adjacent multi-storey for a reduced fee of £18 per night.
The Bristol hotel falls within the City of Bristol Clean Air Zone. Charges only apply to older more polluting vehicles. Please use this link to check for your car: Drive in a clean air zone - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Hotel Website
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.
You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 7pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Excellent trip - all was very well planned and I shall certainly be travelling with you again.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 08-September-2022
Hotel difficult to drive to but staff friendly. Room was not cleaned one the days.Had a really wonderful break-so interesting & varied. Exceeded expectations! Thank you.Now lloking forward to Bath in October.
Review by Taylor who travelled 08-September-2022
We had a great time on the `Bristol and Brunel Tour` and our tour manager Rob was very helpful and all ran smoothly. The event was of course saddened at the start of the event by the sudden passing of our dear and hardworking and amazing Queen which we found out when we arrived at the hotel and saw the flag being raised to half mast live on the tv in the bar. So sad! It is our third Travel Edition` tour and we have enjoyed them all very much! We had a great time on the SS Great Britain, and the lovely evening meal on board in the beautiful salon and particularly entertainment of the historian performer in period dress reading interesting passages from the diaries of some passengers who travelled on the sailings of the day, which very much added to the occasion. The ss Gt Britain was very well restored and well presented . It was all lovely and most enjoyable & interesting day and evening. The Bristol Packet boat trip with the live on board commentary was also very good (and entertaining) and it was a nice light lunch too. The talk on Brunel was informative and nicely presented, and we also enjoyed our tour with entertaining guide of the Suspension Bridge. `All in all` a lovely and most memorable 3 day tour! Thank you.!
Review by Horton who travelled 08-September-2022
Review by Anonymous who travelled 08-September-2022
This was our first visit to Bristol and overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Our room was comfortable, but the hotel did have its drawbacks in that there were only two lifts for such a busy reception area. Also, although the breakfast buffet was good the main course at our welcome dinner on Thursday evening was disappointing as the beef was tough with grisle. Our tour guide and the gentleman delivering the "Brunel" talk on Thursday night as well as the local tour guide at the suspension bridge were excellent, giving us plenty of information and historical context. Also, our coach driver deserves a mention for successfully manoeuvring the coach around the countless road works in Bristol in spite of satnav. We loved our time exploring the lovingly restored SS Great Britain and her museum and now have a better understanding of her incredible history and especially the conditions for life on board in her role as an emigrant ship to Australia. Our gala dinner in the beautiful first- class dining room was very good, and we were well entertained by the lady reading the passengers letters.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 08-September-2022
Review by Anonymous who travelled 08-September-2022
The Brunel tour was very good overall, well put together tour, tour manager Robert Owen was approachable and relatively helpful. The location of the hotel is perfect if you travel by train, Temple Mead close by. But the hotel experience was mixed, slow process checking in and out of the hotel. The evening meal on the Thursday was poor, not very appetising and a set meal with no choice. Plus the breakfast itself was satisfactory, although the breakfast area was busy on the Friday which caused some chaos at times! Key is go early for breakfast! The highlights were the Brunel museum, the meal on the ship and the boat cruise along the Avon.
Review by Peters who travelled 08-September-2022
Enjoyable experience, not too intense and very well organised. Will certainly book another experience.
Review by Gustavson who travelled 08-September-2022
Review by Anonymous who travelled 09-September-2021
An enjoyable tour, packed with interest, the highlight of which was the gala dinner on board the SS Great Britain. I have visited the SSGB before - the Great Britain experience is always good and there is always something new to see. I enjoyed the visit to the M Shed - somewhere I wouldn't have visited unless in the area already. The local guide who talked about the Clifton Suspension Bridge was informative and turned the visit into an engaging learning experience. The boat trip around the harbour and up the River Avon was delightful. I love a boat trip. The pre-packed lunch boxes were a perfect solution - much better than a buffet, much more hygienic, more equitable, and a more efficient way to serve a meal to a cabin full of people. A good innovation. The only concern was the volume of traffic in Bristol which made movement through the city a challenge for the driver from Pulham's. He managed to get us to our destinations on time and coped well with road and bridge closures, a crazy one-way system, the over-provision of bus and bike lanes causing car lane congestion, and managed to give a wide berth to reckless young men on electric scooters hogging the middle of the already congested roads.
Review by Haynes who travelled 09-September-2021
Review by Rogers who travelled 09-September-2021
I sent comments on 13/09 by replying to your travel document. However, My wife and I were entirely satisfied with every aspect of the trip. We have many happy memories to look back on. Many thanks to all concerned
Review by Latham who travelled 09-September-2021
As a train train traveller, the hotel's proximity to the station was very welcome, although there was little else nearby. It was also amazingly quiet. No banging doors and no sounds of other peoples' televisions. A real bonus. I could have done with a little more time at the Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre - our guides did not allow quite long enough. The dinner on board SS Great Britain was a lovely occasion and I also really enjoyed the M Shed and boat trip. Altogether a very good trip, helped by having much better weather than I had expected.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 09-September-2021
Review by Anonymous who travelled 09-September-2021
Most enjoyable and interesting trip. Very well organised.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 09-September-2021
The two leaders were outstandingly good,in both organisation and communication(essential for success). The highlight was the dinner on board the"Great Britain",although the booze was in short supply! The hotel had a boring sameness about it.
Review by Clarke who travelled 09-September-2021
More time ( + 30 mins) at Clifton Suspension Bridge less time (-30 mins) at SS Great Britain - Coach B. Otherwise a great trip with good food despite our numbers with memorable events - dinner on SS Great Britain and Avon river cruise upstream.
Review by West who travelled 09-September-2021
This was an excellent trip which exceeded our expectations. The dinner on SS Great Britain was lovely and the guide at the Clifton Suspension Bridge was both knowledgeable and amusing. The M shed was the weakest part but was still of general interest.
Review by Calverley who travelled 09-September-2021
Being the first "outing" for us since 2019(!) we found the amount of walking required, sometimes on rough (cobbled) ground very wearing and tiring. However, that did not mean we did not find the the Itinerary extremely interesting, informative and - in some cases - quite unusual. eg : the 'entertainment' during our dinner, in very splendid surroundings. Well done!
Review by Brown who travelled 09-September-2021
The Hotel was adequate, but hot breakfast at the weekend had been sitting around too long and was cold and the service keen but inexperienced. That said I enjoyed this interesting weekend and as always felt the Travel Editions team did a very good job.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 09-September-2021
Review by Anonymous who travelled 12-September-2019
I thought it would have been a good idea to have a better get together in order to get to know as many people as possible. The opening drinks were a bit stilted and at the dinner one obviously only meets ones neighbours.
Review by Page who travelled 12-September-2019
Excellent trip. More walking than anticipated. SS Great Britain meal average, poor main course.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 12-September-2019
I felt we had far too long at the SS Great Britain site. Four and a half hours was too long for me but fortunately it was a lovely day and I was able to walk along the river side.
Review by Mortiboys who travelled 12-September-2019
Review by Anonymous who travelled 12-September-2019
First class. Probably there might have been more advice for the more disabled in the party who found some walking (with sticks) and/or standing tiring. You laid on beautiful weather.
Review by Ware who travelled 12-September-2019
Very interesting and enjoyable.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 12-September-2019
On the whole a great taster trip. Still lots to see in Bristol. It would have been nice to see more of the city. Excellent trips. Nice people. Good food. Talk on the first evening very interesting but way too long!
Review by Anonymous who travelled 12-September-2019
An excellent trip in which we learnt a lot about Brunel and his legacy. The meal onboard the ss Great Britain was great fun and we enjoyed the river trip too, the whole being greatly enhanced by wonderful weather!
Review by Holland who travelled 12-September-2019
A very enjoyable tour and I much enjoyed seeing the S.S. GB. My one major comment however relates to the quality of the gala dinner served on the S.S. Great Britain, which was very poor. The food was disgusting, consisting of a main dish, which appeared to have been made from re constituted meat. The starter and pudding were also of poor quality and I was surprised. I should mention however, that the staff on the ship and the entertainment that evening were superb. I merely wish to raise this point as either the S.S. Great Britain or Travel Editions let themselves down badly in this respect. I didn't mention the quality of the food at the time to either our tour guide or the ships staff, as I didn't wish to spoil an enjoyable evening, however this is something that should be addressed for future occasions. I should mention that the dinner served on our first evening at the hotel was excellent and the talk which accompanied it was very good. Therefore with the exception of the quality of the gala dinner, I would rate the tour as excellent, but someone needs to look in to the quality of food served on the ship on this occasion. The food actually made me ill that night when we got back to the hotel. May I stress that my comments here only relate to the food served on the S.S. GB and this is not an attempt to angle for a refund. I merely wish to make this point as a constructive criticism.
Review by Macey who travelled 12-September-2019
Review by who travelled 13-September-2018
The evening on board SS Great Britain was most enjoyable although the food was a bit stodgy
Review by Gough who travelled 13-September-2018
We had a lovely couple of days, with interesting talks & tours. Although the sound system on a boat trip was not working, the crew were charming & did their best to tell yes about the area.
Review by Mason who travelled 13-September-2018
Lovely to be able to dine aboard SS Great Britain. Dining experience on Floating Harbour cruise less enjoyable . Very cramped conditions when attempting to obtain food and eat..
Review by Crowley who travelled 13-September-2018
Review by who travelled 13-September-2018
Travel Editions feedback:
Galloway
Review by who travelled 13-September-2018
A really good experience. The pace was just right, so often we have arrived home exhausted. The gentle boat trip, with excellent lunch, was just right to round off a very enjoyable few days.
Review by Mrs Betty Allsworth who travelled 08-September-2016
The organisation and tour guides in Bristol were 1ST class. A very enjoyable short break; Colin & Sue Storton
Review by Mr Colin Storton who travelled 08-September-2016
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and would recommend it to anyone. As usual it was the hotel whose choice of food for our evening dinner was unusual to say the least and whose attitude towards providing lactose free food was a little carefree. I expect you have heard abuot the fish from others. All being well, it will be Portsmouth next year!! Have you thought of the 'Tricomalee' in Hartlepool as part of a tour as you do specialise in ships!! There is also the Discovery in Dundee...
Review by Mr Peter Donaldson who travelled 08-September-2016
Review by who travelled 08-September-2016
Review by who travelled 08-September-2016
Nice to meet up again with the same tour manager as on our Welsh railway trip in 2015.
Review by Mr Robert Penicud who travelled 08-September-2016
Review by Mr Philip Worsley who travelled 08-September-2016
Review by who travelled 08-September-2016
A very enjoyable and informative experience with like minded travellers. We have recommended your tours to friends, some of whom have already travelled with you.
Review by Mr & Mrs AB Baker who travelled 08-September-2016
We felt 21/2 hours in the shed the 2nd day was too much. The rest of the tour was good. May be you could include a trip to bath on the second day!
Review by Mrs Ann Coombe who travelled 08-September-2016
Excellent tour but I would like to make a couple of comments. Suggest that information such as meeting times and places should be printed out for easy reference . The evening dinners were both disappointing . I realise you are not able to control these but some feedback could be offered. A special mention must be made of the river trip which was first class. Commentary was excellent , clear, informative and not scripted. Food was the best we had anywhere , simple but fresh and delicious . The visits and free time made available worked very well and the speakers on the SS Great Britain and elsewhere were excellent and their enthusiasm infectious. Finally a big thank you to the tour managers who were efficient friendly and unobtrusive.
Review by Ms Christine Popeck who travelled 08-September-2016
Review by who travelled 08-September-2016
The only bad point was the guide for the Clifton Suspension bridge could not be heard all the time, due to background traffic noise. Also he tended to start the chat at each point before the whole group had arrived. Otherwise superb weekend, particularly the meal on board the SS GB - excellent meal and superb entertainment.
Review by Mr John Benton who travelled 08-September-2016
Review by who travelled 08-September-2016
Both of our Tour Guides were very good with lots of local knowledge. They were very attentive and made our trip better than we anticipated. Thank them very much from us both. Barbara & John Bateman
Review by Mr John Bateman who travelled 03-September-2015
The only problem we found was with your directions as to how to get to the hotel to start with and we got lost within Bristol and one way systems. Your directions should say "As you pass Temple Meads Station get into the outside lane for the roundabout....."
Review by Mr Anthony Biddle who travelled 27-August-2015
Excellent trip enjoyed by all of us. Well done and thank you
Review by Mrs Lynne Hutton who travelled 03-September-2015
Review by who travelled 03-September-2015
Thanks for a full and informative time - with good company. The party being the size it was meant that for some people it was rather over too large and not the opportunity to get to know others.
Review by Mr David Pamphilon who travelled 03-September-2015
Excellent weekend-very large group but tour managers managed to look after us all.
Review by Mrs Judith Hurst who travelled 03-September-2015
We had 3 top guides with Brunel knowledge - an excellent & enlightening tour.
Review by Mr David Haward who travelled 03-September-2015
It was an excellent tour. I expected to be bored by the Steam Museum (boys toys'), and found it really interesting. The tour of the railway village was unexpected and also fascinating. The SS Great Britain and particularly the dinner were really good, informative, with a wonderful atmosphere. The weakest part of the tour was unfortunately the first lecture which was uninspired. I felt it needed an enthusiastic engineer rather than a museum man who used too many 'incredibles'. The Jordanian engineer who led our tour of the Clifton suspension bridge (G. Hussein) I felt could have done a good job.
Review by Mrs Adrienne Finch who travelled 03-September-2015
Tour at Clifton Bridge . Tour guide talked too long bearing in mind most pople were having struggle to stand . The tour round the village at Swindon was excellent as we walked and only stopped for short times.
Review by Mrs J Skinner who travelled 03-September-2015
Review by who travelled 03-September-2015
Review by Mrs Janet Rogerson who travelled 03-September-2015
Excellent tour.
Review by Mr John Allan who travelled 03-September-2015
The visit to the Suspension Bridge was particularly well done and informative.
Review by Mr Ian Bullock who travelled 03-September-2015
The air conditioning in the coach was inadequate. The bridge tour covered the same ground as the previous evening's lecture.
Review by Mrs Cynthia Terry who travelled 03-September-2015
Really enjoyed the visit which passed all too quickly.
Review by Mr & Mrs R Humphrey who travelled 03-September-2015
Review by Mrs Susan Whibley who travelled 03-September-2015
Very enjoyable and informative trip. Plenty of time was allowed to see what we wanted to see. The dinner on the SS Great Britain was the highlight of the tour and a good hotel and excellent and helpful tour/coach managers all helped to make it a very good weekend.
Review by Miss Annabel Casey who travelled 03-September-2015
The opening night's dinner was pretty poor but after that it got steadily better. Good hotel, good trips and excellent personable tour guides. Time on the ss Great Britain was insufficient.
Review by Mr John Deverson who travelled 03-September-2015
Review by Mrs Jean Weatherby who travelled 27-August-2015
Review by who travelled 03-September-2015
Very enjoyable trip
Review by Mr Terry Cantle who travelled 03-September-2015
Review by Mr Michael Delaney who travelled 27-August-2015
The pace of the weekend was perhaps a little too leisurely. We felt that rather more could have been fitted into the available time. The guided tour off the Swindon Railway Village was informative and welcome.
Review by Mr Christopher Wright who travelled 27-August-2015
Review by Mrs Susan Liles who travelled 27-August-2015
A very bi thank you to Mike for a memorable experience.
Review by Mrs Morag Law who travelled 27-August-2015
This was a splendid holiday in my former home city of Bristol. The guides and the talks were very interesting and the tours of the Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain informative and instructive whilst the meal was certainly First Class. The only disappointing aspect was to miss the trips on the last day as we had to get back to Cheltenham to celebrate a special birthday the following day ! Fortunately the rail strike didnt affect our return journey. Thanks to everyone involved especially our leader (and his wife) who did a great job yet again. Hope to join another holiday next year
Review by Mr Anthony Ireland who travelled 27-August-2015
Excellent trip - food & accommodation first class. Tour guides knew their subject(s) and it was money well spent. Thanks for the opportunity to experience a fantastic few days.
Review by Mr B Thomson who travelled 27-August-2015
Far outweighed our expectations. Wonderful time from start to finish
Review by Mrs Patricia Gulvin who travelled 27-August-2015
Rather too much the first day, and too little the next. Having said that, I'm not clear how this could be altered!
Review by Dr Harold Hughes who travelled 27-August-2015
We have taken, in the past, many tours with Great Rail Journeys, and this must rate as one of the very best. All credit goes to Mike, who's knowledge and great sense of humour, together with his helpful and charming wife, made the entire experience one in which will live with us for a long time. All credit to everyone involved in organising this trip.
Review by Mr David Le Clercq who travelled 27-August-2015
Mike Stone was a fabulous tour guide. The evening on the S.S. Great Britain was memorable.Just amazing. Bought as a birthday present for my husband who is keen to do the Mary Rose next year.
Review by Mrs Dorothy Cooke who travelled 11-September-2014
Review by Mr John Townend who travelled 11-September-2014
1st night speaker, too many 'err umm err err', needs a bit of a polish. 1st day excursions/ guides excellent, meal and speaker very good 2nd day visit to steam museum - not really a full days worth Tour guide; excellent really knows his stuff
Review by Mr Paul Whitehead who travelled 11-September-2014
This trip really suited me and I found it most informative. I learned a lot about Brunel and bristol.
Review by Mr John Hitchon who travelled 11-September-2014
