SS Great Britain SS Great Britain, Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Rd, Bristol BS1 6TY, UK

The ss Great Britain was the first screw-propelled, ocean-going, iron-hulled steam ship. A remarkably revolutionary vessel, she could be considered the fore-runner of all modern shipping. Designed as a luxury trans-atlantic passenger liner by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, she was at the time of her launch in Bristol in 1843 the largest ship in the world.

Her varied and long working life ended in 1933 and after a failed rescue attempt  she was abandoned and left to rust in the Falklands. In 1970, following an extensive fundraising programme and a complex and lengthy journey, she was finally brought back to her home city of Bristol.

A long and difficult restoration project was begun, culminating in her starring role within an amazing visitor attraction in the dockland area of Bristol city centre.

Ensuring that she was accessible to all those who wished to visit her was an integral part of the restoration project and that there is step free access throughout the museum and to all decks of the ship including down to the exposed hull within the dry dock is an exceptional achievement. The amount of lateral thought that engendered the solution of placing lifts within the funnel is testiment to the determination of those responsible to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles when retaining the original features of her design and creating excellent accessibility.

A visit to the attraction starts at the ticket office where tickets are purchased for the voyage (NB these are valid for one year). Also available from here is an A3 sized 'Good Access Guide', which contains a clear map detailing easier access routes, designated toilets, seating and other useful information.

The museum is located within the dockyard and it contains a wealth of information about the history of the docklands,the ship and ocean travel including the personal experiences of 19th century emigres who were travelling in her to their new life overseas.

Step free access within the museum is via a long ramp (populated with many interactive interpretation panels) up to a level area with an audio visual display detailing the history of the rescue and restoration of the ship. Access from the museum on to the weather deck of the ship is via a lift, level bridge and ramps. As previously explained step free access to the lower decks is via two self operated lifts (with room for a companion) located within the funnel.

There is a separate lift located on the quayside that enables step free access down to the dry dock and alongside the exposed hull of the ship and the propeller.

Of the designated toilet facitilities available, the one located within the cafe has the largest dimensions and most room for personal care assistance should this be required.  There is left hand transfer within the ticket office facility and right hand transfer in the other two facilities including the one on the saloon deck see image 9.

Arrival

• Designated Disabled car parking (4 spaces)
• Hard surfaced car park
• Level/ramped wheelchair access to entrance (There is a short section of cobbles through the main entrance however these can be avoided by going through the cafe courtyard located on the right hand side of the main gateway)
• Level/ramped wheelchair access into venue (ramps and lifts see main description)
• Concessionary fee for carer (Companions and assistants are given free entry when accompanying a paying visitor who is registered disabled)
• Prebooking necessary for wheelchair users (for groups)
• Easy access around ground floor/area of site (excellent access throughout see main description for more detailed information)
• Wheelchair access to other floors
• lift controls at accessible height

Toilets

• Wheelchair accessible toilet/toilets (There are designated accessible toilets within the ticket office, the cafe and on the saloon deck aboard the ship)
• Grab rails in toilet
• Easy access to wash basin
• easy access to hand dryer/towels
• Wheelchair turning space in accessible toilet
• Space for left transfer to toilet
• Space for right transfer to toilet
• Room for carer/carers in accessible toilet

Cafe/Shop

• Level/ramped access to shop
• Level/ramped access to cafe/tearoom
• Sufficient wheelchair access to tables

Other

• assistance dogs welcome
• Wheelchair loan/hire (two manual chairs available however these cannot be pre-booked)
• Hearing loop (no hearing loops at reception but there is one within the Viridor Theatre in the adjacent Brunel Institute. Interactive hand held BSL video tours are available for adults and children)
• Special access to exhibits for visually impaired (there is a tactile model of the ship available from the ticket office that can be pre-booked. In addition audio tours are available on the weather deck of the ship)
• Wheelchair access to interactive exhibits