Bristol harbour trips on tug John King are back at M Shed

Take a trip on the harbour on the John King – a 1935 diesel tug built to tow cargo ships from Bristol City Docks to the mouth of the River Avon.

Built by the last major Bristol shipbuilder, John King spent 35 years towing on the river. She also had special duties, which included supplying drinking water to ships in dry dock, assisting at ship launchings and putting vessels into dry dock and occasionally pulling grounded vessels back into deep water.

But as trade to the Bristol docks declined and motor ships became less reliant on tugs, John King’s workload gradually disappeared. Eventually she was bought by Bristol Museums and fully restored to her former glory.

Dates for 2024

Saturday 20 + Sunday 21 April
Saturday 11 + Sunday 12 May
Saturday 1 + Sunday 2 June
Saturday 15 + Sunday 16 June
Saturday 22 + Sunday 23 June

More weekend dates to follow.

Tickets

Buy tickets on the day from the ticket office by the M Shed platform.

• £8 adult (age 13+)
• £6 concession
• £2 children under four
• Babies free

Trips last approximately 30 minutes. You must be able to board the vessel via the gang plank.

Read more

Read more about M Shed, one of our Shipshape Network South West projects.