Home / Tours / Great British Heritage / Bristol and the Brunel Legacy
SS Great Britain

SS Great Britain

SS Great Britain

SS Great Britain

SS Great Britain

SS Great Britain

SS Great Britain

SS Great Britain

Great British Heritage

Bristol and the Brunel Legacy

Steel, steam and daring design come together on this journey through Brunel’s Bristol. Walk the length of the SS Great Britain, dine beside its iron hull, and admire the expanse of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. A private tour of the Brunel Institute and a cruise through the city’s working harbour complete the experience.

In 1859, the great engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel died at just 53, but in that lifetime he completely revolutionised transport in Britain and beyond, and his engineering achievements are still recognised across the developed world. This wonderful UK short break explores the many aspects of his remarkable talents as an engineer, designer and entrepreneur. His ship, the SS Great Britain, is proudly located in Bristol, in dry docks, where she was built in 1843 as the first screw driven purpose built passenger liner. It is here in the First Class dining saloon, where you will enjoy a special gala dinner.

From

£1,149

per person

Book Now
Enquire About This Tour

what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Two nights at the four-star Bristol Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room. 
  • Discover Bristol and the Brunel Legacy
    Explore Brunel’s remarkable engineering legacy in Bristol, with expert insight from Tim Bryan, visits to SS Great Britain, the Being Brunel exhibition, Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Brunel Institute, plus a private harbour cruise and gala dinner aboard SS Great Britain.
  • Guest speaker
    Introductory talk by Tim Bryan.
  • Tours & Entrances
    All talks, transfers, tours and entrance fees     included as listed.
MEET YOUR guest speaker

Tim Bryan

Tim Bryan is a railway and industrial heritage specialist with more than twenty years’ experience as a curator at the Great Western Railway Museum and STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway in Swindon. He is now Director of the Brunel Institute at Brunel’s SS Great Britain in Bristol.

Tim is the author of several books on railway and heritage subjects, including six titles for Shire Publications. His extensive museum experience and deep knowledge of Britain’s engineering history enable him to bring the achievements of Brunel, the Great Western Railway and the wider development of transport vividly to life.

itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Brunel

Day 1: Arrival in Bristol and Introduction to Brunel

Arrive independently at The Bristol Hotel from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception, private dinner with wine and an introductory talk by Tim Bryan, author and former General Manager of STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway, who will outline the life and achievements of the great Brunel.

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Day 2: SS Great Britain, Clifton Suspension Bridge and Gala Dinner

This morning we visit the SS Great Britain and museum, which describes in detail the story of this remarkable passenger ship. While here, we will also see the ‘Being Brunel’ exhibition, where Brunel’s inventive genius will be celebrated with never-before-seen personal possessions, documents and artefacts.

We then head to Bristol’s most beautiful neighbourhood, Clifton, to visit the magnificent Suspension Bridge, designed by Brunel, but not completed until after his death. Whilst here we will have a guided tour and a look round the interpretation centre.

This evening is the highlight of this special event tour – a private evening on board the SS Great Britain, with a drinks reception and gala dinner with wine in the ship’s First Class Dining Saloon. During dinner we will also enjoy a recreation of the lives of passengers and crew by actress Kim Hicks, based on surviving records and diaries.

Bristol boat cruise - group photo

Day 3: Brunel Institute and Bristol Harbour Cruise

This morning we will visit the Brunel Institute, a world-class maritime research centre, for a private visit. We will then embark on a private boat cruise to see the famous landmarks and sights around the floating harbour and sail upstream onto the upper stretches of the rural river Avon.

You will be given an informative and entertaining commentary, with the Midshipman’s buffet lunch served onboard. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.00.

Availability

Choose Your Departure

Date
Departing From
Price From
Availability
17/09/2026
Bristol
£1,149
Book Now
Solo Traveller Supplement From: £156
Destination
Departure Date
Browse By Interest
HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

The Bristol Hotel, Prince Street
A stylish waterfront hotel in the heart of the city. Overlooking the Floating Harbour, it offers modern rooms, The River Grille restaurant, and easy access to Bristol’s cultural and historic attractions.

Car parking available to overnight guests in the adjacent multi-storey for a reduced fee. Please contact the hotel for more information.

Hotel Website

our regular tours

Mobility Information

This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
 
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
 
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. Please note: no reminder for balance payments is sent to you and are not receipted unless requested. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

Read More FAQs
Fresh Adventures for Inquisitive Travellers

Why Choose Travel Editions?

Travel with purpose, passion, and like-minded companions, here’s what sets Travel Editions apart.

Designed for Travellers,
Not Tourists

Founded in 1994 offering unique cultural tours beyond typical high street itineraries.

Personal Service, Real People

Small, friendly team with no automated phone lines. Enjoy personal attention from our team.

Expert Tour Guides, Unique Insights

Industry-leading guides, some since day one, who speak local languages and have detailed knowledge.

Win a 2027 Holiday for Two!

Sign Up To Our
Newsletter For A
Chance To Win

Our newsletter keeps you up to date with the latest news from Travel Editions, including new tours, special departures and travel inspiration. You’ll also receive articles from our expert tour lecturers and tour managers, along with insights into the destinations, history, art and culture that shape our holidays.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*