Explore Bristol’s maritime past at Docks Heritage Weekend 2019, with events for all ages at Underfall Yard, M Shed and SS Great Britain. This annual event celebrates the important story of Bristol’s historic Docks, which were the centre of the city’s trade for centuries. Eclipsed after the 1920s by Avonmouth Docks, the last regular trading ship departed in1974 and the Docks were closed to commercial shipping in1975. Since then the Harbour has been regenerated into the leisure, residential and business centre that we see today. This special weekend offers a taster of yesteryear with fun and engaging activities for all the family.
At Underfall Yard you can:
Experience demonstrations of traditional blacksmithing
Watch the pumps that powered a port running on the hour from 11am – 4pm
Go behind the scenes in the magnificent Victorian Workshops. Only recently restored to working order, all the line-shafting will be in operation and several machines will be at work turning, planing and shaping metal
Appreciate engineering in miniature with demonstrations of our collection of model stationary steam engines and workshops
Learn about ships and trade with the Merchant Navy Association
Try your hand at knots and rope work with the International Guild of Knot Tyers
Visit the Sluice Room and discover the elegant Georgian engineering that makes Underfall Yard the most important piece of land in Bristol
Enjoy the inaugural Bristol Sea Shanty Festival on Sunday 10th
As always, Underfall Café will be serving fabulous food and drink for you to enjoy as you take in the best view in Bristol.
Docks Heritage Weekend events at Underfall Yard are free to visit. Donations to Underfall Yard Charitable Trust are gratefully received.