Brunel In Bristol: Ideal Days Out This Summer

With the summer holidays approaching, here’s some ideal locations for a Brunel themed day out

Isambard Kingdom Brunel, is not only the most famous engineer of all time, he was the driving force behind changing the face of movement and transport in Britain for all time. He refused to patent his work, leaving his legacy open for improvement and progress long after he died.

Brunel never actually lived in Bristol, but has become synonymous with the city. Bristol has fiercely appropriated him, pretty much based on the extraordinary amount of work he carried out here.

Two of his most iconic projects – Clifton Suspension Bridge and SS Great Britain are right here in Bristol. The Clifton Suspension Bridge is known the world over.

If you are doing a Brunel day in Bristol, here are some things not to miss:

Bristol Temple Meads
Brunel revolutionised travel when he was appointed GWR’s Chief Engineer in 1833. He was behind the the work that would link Bristol and London, as well as Hanwell and Chippenham viaducts, the Maidenhead Bridge and the Box Tunnel.

Most people associate Brunel with a part of Bristol Temple Meads that he wasn’t actually responsible for.

The main front and platforms of the city’s central railway station were not around until after Brunel died.

If you are walking out of the railway station and down Station Approach, it is the long run of buildings on the right hand side, including Passenger Shed, which is what you are looking for.

Brunel’s SS Great Britain
If you are already in Bristol, Brunel’s ship is one of the best places to visit first. If you have any burning questions, the volunteers both on the ship and the Being Brunel exhibition are hugely knowledgeable.

SS Great Britain was the world’s first iron hulled and screw propellor driven steamship.

Whilst Brunel is usually attributed as the engineer behind the screw propellor, it was a design he actually borrowed and improved upon from the SS Archimedes. He was the first engineer to have one in a commercial passenger carrying ship.

Being Brunel dives into the history and life of the engineer. You can find out about his other work including that of the railway.

The ship itself is an incredible experience. Its hull is preserved by a huge dehumidification system and double glazed window system.

Inside, different sections of the ship have been recreated, giving people a sense of what it would have been like to travel on it.

The Brunel Institute is open on select days and hours with Archive in Five. This is where a volunteer will be showing an item from the collection not ordinarily on display.

SS Great Britain often has family friendly offers and events during school holiday periods. You also get free returns for a year with the standard entry ticket: https://www.ssgreatbritain.org

Underfall Yard
Underfall Yard is part of the original 1809 Floating Harbour System developed by William Jessop. His Overfall Dam across the River Avon allowed extra water from the harbour to flow into the New Cut.

The large amounts of mud in the river was problematic, settling in the harbour and ultimately reducing its depth. This meant ships found it difficult to navigate.

In the 1830s, Brunel recommended further development of the first sluices and dredgers – a type of boat which would remove the mud.

The current system has been in place since the 1880s.

Underfall Yard is a short walk from SS Great Britain, Ideal for taking in the sights around Bristol Harbour and a stop-off at the cafe.

For more information: https://underfallyard.co.uk/

Clifton Suspension Bridge
The world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge which spans the Avon Gorge, was designed by Brunel, though not completed until after his death.

There is a free visitor centre on the Ashton Court side of the bridge, with all of the history and information you need to know.

For more information: https://cliftonbridge.org.uk/

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