Your holiday summary

Holiday type Special interest holidays
Tours
Country United Kingdom
Travel type Make your own way
Price range From £389
Travel partner Travel Editions
Duration 2 nights
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0330 333 6761

Bristol and the Brunel Legacy

In 1859, the great engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel died at just 53, but in that lifetime he completely revolutionised transport in Britain and beyond, and his engineering achievements are still recognised across the developed world. This wonderful UK short break explores the many aspects of his remarkable talents as an engineer, designer and entrepreneur. His ship, the SS Great Britain, is proudly located in Bristol, in dry docks, where she was built in 1843 as the first screw driven purpose built passenger liner. It is here in the First Class dining saloon, where you will dine on Friday evening.

Private dinner on board the SS Great Britain, located in historic Bristol DocksSpecial Event highlights: Gala dinner on board the SS Great Britian in the First Class dining Saloon Private boat cruise through the original Bristol Docks and floating harbour Steam, the museum of the Great Western Railway Great Western Railway expert Tim Bryan speaking on Brunel Walking tour of Brunel's 'railway village'

Included

  • 2 nights' accommodation in standard room on bed and full breakfast basis at 4-star Doubletree by Hilton Bristol City Centre Hotel
  • Welcome reception
  • Thursday private evening dinner with wine
  • Friday dinner with wine on board the SS Great Britain
  • All talks, guided tours, entrance fees and escorted coach transfers
  • Tour manager throughout

Not included

  • Single room supplement
  • Extra nights Holiday insurance
  • Meals other than those stated
  • Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
  • Porterage and gratuities.
Thursday evening
Welcome reception followed by private dinner with wine at the hotel. You will also have an expert talk with Great Western Railway expert Tim Bryan, who was born in Bristol and has worked in museums for more than 25 years, and was recently the General Manager of Steam at the Museum of the Great Western Railway. Tim is the author of eight books including 'The Great Western Railway - A Celebration' and 'Brunel - The Great Engineer'. His introductory talk will outline the life and achievements of the great engineer Brunel.

Friday
We make our way to the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge designed by Brunel but not completed until after his death for a guided tour and visit to the interpretation centre. In the afternoon we visit the award winning SS Great Britain and Musuem with an audio tour of this remarkable Victorian passenger ship. Finally, we embark on a private boat cruise through the original Bristol Docks and floating harbour with Brunel related commentary from the Skipper.

Friday evening
The higlight of your weekend is a private evening on board the SS Great Britain, which includes a welcome reception and gala dinner with wine in the First Class dining saloon. The actress Kim Hicks re-creates the lives of passengers and crew based on surviving records and diaries.

Saturday
Accompanied by Brunel specialist Tim Bryan, travel by coach to Swindon to visit 'Steam', the musuem of the Great Western Railway. After an introductory talk we will view the extensive Great Western Railway collections, which are housed in one of the original 1846 buildings designed by Brunel. After lunch (not included) we embark on a special walking tour of Brunel's railway village to view worker's houses, baths, medical facilities and the Mechanics' Institute.

NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 100 passengers.
Doubletree by Hilton Bristol City Centre, Bristol
Located in the city centre and only 400 meters away from Bristol Temple Meads railway station, the modern and recently renovated 4-star Doubletree by Hilton Bristol City Centre Hotel offers a bar, restaurant, fitness centre and comfortable bedrooms with private bath/shower, air-conditioning, TV and telephone.

Please note the Ramada Bristol City Hotel has now become the Doubletree by Hilton Bristol City Centre.
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Departure date Nights Price  
12-Sep-2013 2 389.00 book
12-Sep-2013 3 389.00 book
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One of the best organised trips we have been on. All down to the tour manager.
Sep 2012
Mr M Barnes


Lots packed in over a short time. Food excellent. Hotel better than 3 star rating suggested. Included water free in room. Amazing. SS Gt Britain dinner splendid. Enjoyed the actress quoting real passengers from 19th century
Sep 2011
Mrs S Simpson 
2 results