Brunel's SS Great Britain tells the incredible story of one of Britain's greatest engineers and one of the most important ships in maritime history. The Trust's vision is to protect the legacy of Brunel and the SS Great Britain, and to inspire engineers and entrepreneurs of the future.

In 1970, the SS Great Britain Project brought the rusting shell of the SS Great Britain home from the Falkland Islands, braving 8,000 miles of stormy sea, in an attempt to save it from ruin and keep its story alive.  That 'project' became the SS Great Britain Trust, and today they continue to care for the ship and Brunel collections for the good of everybody, for all time.

Brunel's SS Great Britain is now Bristol's number one visitor attraction, with two museums and the lovingly restored Victorian ship, a leading research centre, a wedding venue and a purpose built conference facility. 

Find out more about the ss Great Britain Trust and the conservation of this iconic vessel. 

What is a Shipshape Network Hub

NHS-UK have partnered with maritime heritage organisations across the UK to act as Shipshape Network Hubs for their region. Hubs are ambassadors that aim to bring businesses and individual vessel projects together. Hubs carry out Network-related projects, supports the sector and helps attract funds, giving advice to Network members.

Download our Hub leaflet for more information.

Hub Services and Activities 

Sharing knowledge and expertise – offering advice and guidance to anyone undertaking conservation projects or funding applications 

Creating connections – working with organisations across the South West and the wider Network

Hosting workshops - conservation, boat building, volunteering and training workshops for local projects, companies and vessel owners

Network events - fostering links across the region 

Representing Shipshape South West – championing the South West's maritime heritage at local and national events

Attracting investment - working with local partners to sustain our maritime heritage 

Get in touch

Contact your Hub to find out more about their activities and services. 

Email your enquiry to ss Great Britain Trust: Contact form. 

Follow ss Great Britain Trust on Twitter and Instagram. 

Visit our website: www.ssgreatbritain.org. 

 

Latest News

November 2022

SS Great Britain Shipshape Network South West Hub Event

This month, we were delighted to host our first Shipshape Network South West hub event at the SS Great Britain Trust. The day brought together vessel owners, conservation projects, businesses, and craftsmen throughout the South West of England to celebrate the region's rich and diverse maritime heritage, share expertise and connect local groups. It was also an opportunity for attendees to find out more about the SS Great Britain Trust's South West Hub role, working with us to provide facilities and services to the local area. You can find out more about the Shipshape Network and our Hub initiative here.

During the morning speakers' session, we heard from an array of vessel projects to discuss a number of key issues facing the sector including conservation management, wellbeing, reaching new audiences, and digital skills. Our speakers included:

  • Steamship Freshspring: Sustaining a volunteer workforce
  • Sailing Tectona: Youth mental health project
  • Exeter Heritage Harbour Project
  • MV Balmoral: Repairing the deck
  • The Albion Dock Company 
  • The Lynher Rive Barge CIC: Traditional Seafaring placement 

This was followed by a networking lunch and an afternoon guided tour of the museum.

Did you attend this event? We'd like to hear your feedback. Take this 2 minute survey here. 

June 2021 

Launching SS Great Britain as the South West Hub

On 4th June, NHS-UK launched SS Great Britain as one of the Hubs for the South West region of the Shipshape Network! 

The virtual launch took place across the NHS-UK and SS Great Britain social media channels. We explored the history and conservation of SS Great Britain, their historic collections and archives, and new pioneering conservation work recently undertaken on the ship’s hull.  

Tim Bryan, Director of the Brunel Institute at the SS Great Britain said: ‘we are delighted to become one of National Historic Ship’s Hubs and look forward to working with, and supporting the huge range of people and organisations caring for the UK’s rich maritime heritage’. 

Hannah Cunliffe, Director of National Historic Ships UK, said: 'The four new Shipshape hubs will act as our ambassadors on the ground, promoting our conservation principles and bringing together external maritime projects to form a local nucleus.  As we enter the second decade of the Shipshape Network, I'm excited to be working in partnership with these organisations to ensure we keep alive the traditional skills and infrastructure which our historic vessels rely on'. 

Throughout the day, curators at SS Great Britain led live tours around the historic Albion Dockyard, showcasing some of the ships and vessels in their collection. Visit their blog round a round up of these posts: https://www.ssgreatbritain.org/about-us/blog/explore-bristols-historic-ships-us  

Follow the hashtags #ShipshapeNetworkSouthWest #HubLaunch across our social media channels to revisit the launch and find out more about how the SS Great Britain can support your historic vessel projects in the South West region. 
ss Great Britain

See also