A Day Out with the Bristol Waterbus, Bristol, England

Bristol has been an important port since early times. The River Avon and Bristol Harbour run through the city, and a trip on the Bristol Waterbus is an excellent way to explore the town and its history. Travelling along the harbour, with 16 stops along the way, it is also a good way to get around.

The River Avon has always been a major transport route, linking the city with the Bristol Channel and the sea in one direction, and flowing inland toward Bath in the other. The Bristol Harbour, a tidal bypass, was originally created in the 13th century and runs between Temple Meads Station and Hotwells.

As the ferry moves along the harbour you travel through the history of Bristol. You pass historic ships and old warehouses, many now transformed into apartments or restaurants. There are museums, an aquarium and a modern marina. And the boat goes right into the city centre, where the harbourside is now a bustling shopping and dining area. Then there is one of Bristol’s most famous landmarks, the SS Great Britain.

SS Great Britain must be the highlight of a trip on the Waterbus. Built in Bristol, and launched in 1843, the ship was one of the greatest achievements of the engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. This was the biggest ship that had ever been built, and included some key technical innovations, including an iron hull, screw propeller and a steam engine. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).