Bristol Dockyards Unveiled as SS Great Britain Site Begins Exciting New Chapter
One of Bristol's most iconic attractions has announced a significant new chapter in its history, with the organisation behind the world-famous SS Great Britain revealing a new name: Bristol Dockyards.
While the beloved SS Great Britain remains at the heart of the visitor experience, the new identity reflects the wider role the harbourside destination now plays as a centre for heritage, education, culture and community engagement.
Located on Bristol's historic waterfront, the attraction has evolved far beyond its role as the home of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's revolutionary ship. Alongside preserving the world's first great ocean liner, Bristol Dockyards now cares for two historic dockyards, manages a globally significant maritime archive, delivers educational programmes and hosts a year-round calendar of events and cultural activities.
The new name aims to celebrate the site's rich history while embracing its future as a dynamic destination rooted in Bristol's spirit of innovation and global connections.
A New Museum Opening This Summer
Adding to the excitement, Bristol Dockyards will unveil a brand-new museum on 18 July 2026 as part of the SS Great Britain Experience.
Drawing upon decades of research and the Brunel Institute's extensive archive of more than 75,000 original drawings, letters and artefacts, the museum promises to tell the story of the famous ship in greater depth than ever before.
Developed in partnership with local community groups and researchers, the new attraction shines a light on previously overlooked stories, exploring the lives of shipbuilders, sailors, migrants and communities whose histories are connected to the Great Britain.
Visitors will discover how the ship became a vital link between Britain and Australia, carrying thousands of migrants seeking new opportunities. The museum also explores the vessel's connections with India and the Crimean War, while highlighting the diverse communities that continue to shape Bristol today.
Among the stories featured are those of George Moses, a Jamaican ship's cook, and James W. Jones, a Barbadian musician and poet, bringing fresh perspectives to the history of one of Britain's most celebrated ships.
Celebrating Bristol's Global Story
The launch of Bristol Dockyards reflects a broader vision to create a vibrant cultural and learning campus on the city's harbourside. Future plans aim to transform the dockyard into a place where heritage, creativity and conversation come together, reflecting the diversity and energy of modern Bristol.
The organisation says the new museum is only the beginning of an ambitious programme designed to honour Bristol's long history of innovation, exploration and global connections.
For visitors, the changes mean even more reasons to explore one of the city's most fascinating waterfront destinations, where world-changing ideas, remarkable stories and maritime heritage continue to inspire new generations.
With the opening of the new museum this summer and the launch of the Bristol Dockyards identity, one of Bristol's best-loved attractions is setting sail towards an exciting future while remaining firmly anchored in its extraordinary past.
