Brunel's SS Great Britain, Bristol

Discover what it was like to travel aboard the world’s first great ocean liner, Brunel's SS Great Britain, launched in 1843 as the longest and largest vessel of its time. The ship was designed for service between Bristol and New York, and was the first iron steamer to cross the Atlantic. Today, this historic ship serves as a museum and an award-winning tourist attraction, with over 150,000 visitors every year. Stroll the decks, peep inside the luxury cabins of first-class passengers, walk through the busy kitchens, and go beneath the waterline to see the world’s oldest iron hull. Be sure to visit the Dockyard Museum to learn about the ship’s service as luxury liner, emigrant steam clipper, and sailing ship transporting coal to San Francisco. To visit Brunel's SS Great Britain on your holiday in Bristol, and find out what else Bristol has to offer, use our Bristol.