Take a boat trip with a difference with M Shed!
All three of our historic working boats offer scenic trips around Bristol Harbour. This is an experience not to be missed, led by our hardworking and knowledgeable volunteers. Find out more about our boats and when they are sailing below.
Pyronaut
Pyronaut served in Bristol from 1934 until 1973, working particularly hard in the Blitz in 1940-41. In 1940, Pyronaut was faced with her most challenging fire-fighting period, as the air raids of the Bristol blitz damaged and destroyed countless warehouses, factories, shops and homes around the Floating Harbour. During this time, she was constantly manned and worked through some of the worst raids of the war. Watch the powerful water cannon at work on Bristol’s former fire-boat, on a trip around the docks that she was built to protect.
- Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April
- Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May
- Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June
- Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August
- Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August
Mayflower
Mayflower is a steam tug built in Bristol in 1861 – she’s believed to be the oldest surviving tug in the world. She was built to work on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal and in the River Severn. In the late 1890s Mayflower was altered to make her suitable for work in the Bristol Channel. She went back to work outside Sharpness, towing sailing vessels through the dangerous stretches of the Severn Estuary to the mouth of the river Wye and back again. Mayflower marked her 150th anniversary in 2011.
- Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April
- Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July
- Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September
- Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October
- Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October
John King
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.
- Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July
- Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July
- Saturday 5 and Sunday 9 September
From 11am – subject to availability.
Please note, M Shed’s large working exhibits are operated by volunteers. Occasionally crew shortages, mechanical difficulties or adverse weather conditions may force us to alter or cancel the advertised event. We advise you to check directly with us to avoid disappointment by calling 0117 352 6600.
