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Museum ship
SS Great Britain
Brunel's iron steamship, the world's largest passenger ship from 1845 to 1853, now a museum ship in the dock where she was built.
A mini guide to
Harbourside & Millennium Square
Museums, galleries and waterside dining around the Floating Harbour
Photos
1 / 6Welcome to the area
Museums, galleries and waterside dining around the Floating Harbour
The Floating Harbour was created in 1809 by holding the tidal River Avon at a constant level, and its quays now hold museums, galleries and restaurants. M Shed, the Arnolfini and Watershed stand along Prince's Wharf and Narrow Quay, while We The Curious and Bristol Aquarium face Millennium Square, which forms part of the Brunel Mile.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel's iron steamship, the SS Great Britain, sits in the dry dock where she was built, a short walk west along the water. Pero's Bridge links Millennium Square to Queen Square, and a cluster of small restaurants and cafés lies along Jail Ferry Steps and Museum Street, south of the harbor.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Museum
M Shed
Free museum about Bristol and its people, in a former dockside transit shed on Prince's Wharf.
Science center
We The Curious
Science and arts center with more than 200 interactive exhibits and a 3D planetarium, on Anchor Road.
Arts center
Arnolfini
Contemporary arts center on Narrow Quay, showing exhibitions and performance on the harbourside since 1961.
Square
Millennium Square
Pedestrian square about 55 by 131 feet (40 meters) beside We The Curious, built in the late 1990s and used for events.
Bridge
Pero's Bridge
Pedestrian bascule bridge linking Millennium Square and Queen Square, named after Pero Jones, an enslaved man who lived in Bristol.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Harbourside & Millennium Square and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Walk the water
Paths run along both sides of the Floating Harbour, so a loop from Millennium Square past the Arnolfini and M Shed is easy on foot.
2
Pero's Bridge elevators
The central section of the pedestrian bridge is raised to let boats through, so allow a short pause if it is up.
3
M Shed is free
The museum says entry to M Shed is free. Check its website for opening times and exhibitions before you go.
4
Plan the SS Great Britain
The ship's website covers the Being Brunel museum and the Brunel Institute as well as the vessel. Check it for tickets and opening times.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
Everything for Harbourside & Millennium Square
Bristol
More areas to explore
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Old City, King Street & Park Street
Medieval streets, Georgian houses and museums from Corn Street up Park Street
Open the mini guide →
12 sights · 15 places to eat
Clifton & the Suspension Bridge
Georgian terraces, the Downs and Brunel's bridge above the Avon Gorge
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12 sights · 18 places to eat
Stokes Croft, St Pauls & Montpelier
Street art, independent venues and Georgian squares north of the center
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Harbourside & Millennium Square (area photo): Andrew Abbott, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- SS Great Britain: Hugh Llewelyn, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- M Shed: Tiia Monto, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- We The Curious: Immanuel Giel, Public domain, source
- Arnolfini: Neil Owen, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Millennium Square: Simon Cobb, CC0, source
- Pero's Bridge: The original uploader was Rodw at English Wikipedia., Public domain, source
- Bristol Aquarium: neopeo, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Watershed: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Queen Square: William Avery, CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- Prince Street Bridge: Neil Owen, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Bristol Hippodrome: Rodw at English Wikipedia, Public domain, source
- Thekla: The wub, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Old City, King Street & Park Street: Hyspaosines, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Clifton & the Suspension Bridge: Anthony O'Neil, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Stokes Croft, St Pauls & Montpelier: Derek Harper, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Redcliffe, Temple Meads & Bedminster: The wub, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Avon Gorge, Leigh Woods & Ashton Court: Tiia Monto, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Whiteladies Road & Redland: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Gloucester Road & Bishopston: Derek Harper, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits