SS Great Britain, Bristol’s famous maritime attraction based on Brunel’s blueprint for modern ocean liners, has launched a new museum and has also updated its name to Bristol Dockyards to reflect its wider presentation.

Newly opened on Saturday 18 July, Bristol Dockyards has expanded the SS Great Britain Experience to create a new museum. The attraction presents the lives of the people who built the ship and the Bristolians who shaped her early years. Visitors will follow SS Great Britain’s role connecting Britain and Australia, carrying thousands of migrants towards new lives, as well as voyages to Crimea and India.

The new museum draws on decades of research including the Brunel Institute’s archive of over 75,000 original drawings, letters and artefacts, as well as collaboration with local community groups and researchers, bringing fresh eyes and new voices to the history of this extraordinary ship.

Meanwhile, rebranding from SS Great Britain to Bristol Dockyards aims to reflect the work of the organisation that goes beyond the iconic vessel alone. Bristol Dockyards celebrates maritime history through the Historic Dockyard that adjoins the home of the SS Great Britain, presenting an idea of what life was like working in the environment 200 years ago.

In addition, the Being Brunel Museum celebrates one of Britain’s most famous engineers, including his work on railways, bridges, tunnels, and ships. The attraction explores the life and legacy of the engineer in what’s described as “the most significant collection” of items and history focussing Brunel. Bristol Dockyards also includes The Brunel Institute, a collaboration with the University of Bristol, housing over 75,000 original drawings, letters and items in one the world’s finest maritime archives.

Bristol Dockyards is set up for groups – you can find out more here.