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£1m to be spent on ‘complete reimagining’ of museum
The museum next to the SS Great Britain is set to be entirely transformed thanks to £705,000 secured from the Philip Nicholas Trust and £245,000 awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The Dockyard Museum will be redesigned as an immersive experience exploring how Brunel’s famous ship changed the world, as well as telling the stories of more than 30,000 passengers and crew who travelled aboard the vessel between 1845 and 1886.
Museum bosses also promise they will be “placing Bristol’s richly diverse communities at the heart of shaping the stories we tell… ensur(ing) the narratives told across the visitor experience are discovered with the people and cultures the ship has touched, including those historically underrepresented in heritage spaces”.
is needed now More than ever
The Dockyard Museum already has an immersive element to it, with visitors able to dress up in Victorian dress – photo: Richard Booth
SS Great Britain Trust CEO, Andrew Edwards, said: “Bristol is a city shaped by global journeys, and so is the SS Great Britain.
“This is not only about a funding milestone; it’s about creating opportunities for the discovery of new stories and ideas.
“By working side-by-side with Bristol residents, we can ensure the Dockyard Museum, and all our storytelling and research reflects not only the ship’s international journeys, but the lived experiences and perspectives of the city today.
“This funding is a major step forward in making the SS Great Britain a truly shared space for heritage that attracts new and diverse audiences for generations to come.”
The Dockyard Museum will close for redevelopment in spring 2026 and is due to reopen later that year.
Main photo: SS Great Britain Trust
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