Britain’s top cities for museums & galleries – Bristol

Bristol’s museums & galleries

Bristol is a city of ancient and modern stories and a centre of creativity. At the heart of Bristol is its harbour – its beating heart.
A young girl standing in front of the screw propeller of Brunel’s ss Great Britain

ss Great Britain

When it was launched in 1843, ss Great Britain (www.ss-great-britain.com) was the biggest ship in the world and the launch itself is seen by many as one of the key dates in British history. Move quickly on 175 years and a huge conservation programme has restored the ss Great Britain to her glory. With the Dockyard Museum, she has to be a popular attraction for any visitor to this fine city.

The Bristol City Museum & Gallery

Bristol’s other outstanding collections of art and archaeology, geology and natural history can be found in an early 20th-century building. The Bristol City Museum and Gallery (www.bristol-city.gov.uk/ccm/content/Leisure-Culture/Museums-Galleries/an-overview-of-bristols-museums-galleries-archives.en;jsessionid=AF5297C976E6A74F83580D01714849C8) hosts Chinese ceramic, artefacts from ancient Egypt and local links including information about the diverse wildlife of South West England.

At-Bristol

Harbourside museums

Also, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Bristol Industrial Museum (www.bristol-city.gov.uk/ccm/content/Leisure-Culture/Museums-Galleries/bristols-industrial-museum.en) housed in an historic shed in a stunning dockside location. At-Bristol (www.at-bristol.org.uk/), again located on Bristol’s historic harbourside is a unique leisure destination bringing science and nature to life. Try a walk through a living rainforest in the Wildwalk exhibit or explore an amazing hands-on journey to discover the forces of nature and unique working of the human brain and body.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Don’t forget that Bristol and the South West of England are celebrating the bicentenary of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, one of the most audacious and inspirational engineers of the 19th century. A visit to the Brunel attractions (www.brunel200.com) will give you a real sense of his outstanding achievements and there’s an exciting programme of events throughout 2006 to enjoy. 

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