Few landmarks capture the spirit of Bristol quite like the SS Great Britain. Designed by legendary engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this groundbreaking ship transformed travel, engineering, and Bristol’s maritime identity forever. Today, she sits proudly in the Great Western Dockyard: an award-winning museum, an engineering marvel, and one of the city’s greatest heritage treasures.
Whether you're planning your first visit, you’ve grown up with the ship on your doorstep, or you’re simply fascinated by Bristol’s history, the SS Great Britain offers endless inspiration. And if you want to bring a piece of that inspiration home we have a collection of SS Great Britain–themed art prints, gifts, homeware, and souvenirs celebrating this iconic vessel.
To fully immerse yourself in the story, you can even watch the engaging SS Great Britain documentary by YouTube creator Nicola Explores, a beautifully crafted deep-dive into the ship’s history and restoration.
Let’s explore why the SS Great Britain remains one of Bristol’s most remarkable attractions—and how you can enjoy it from home with unique Bristol-themed gifts.
A Ship That Changed the World
Launched in 1843, the SS Great Britain was unlike anything the world had seen before:
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The world’s first iron-hulled, screw-propelled ship
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The largest ship afloat at the time
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Revolutionary engineering from Brunel himself
From luxury passenger liner to migrant ship, and later to a cargo vessel, the SS Great Britain lived many lives before being dramatically rescued from the Falkland Islands in 1970 and returned to Bristol in a historic homecoming.
Bring the SS Great Britain Home – Gifts & Art Prints from The Bristol Shop
The Bristol Shop proudly supports Bristol makers and artists by offering locally designed gifts and high-quality art prints celebrating the SS Great Britain and Brunel’s legacy. These pieces make perfect:
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Gifts for history lovers
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Presents for Bristolians near and far
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Decor for homes, offices, and creative spaces
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Mementos of a special trip to the floating museum
Some customer favourites include:
🖼 SS Great Britain Art Prints
Beautiful wall art capturing the ship in different styles: contemporary, vintage, nautical, or illustrated. Perfect for showcasing your love for Bristol and its maritime heritage.
🎁 SS Great Britain Gifts & Souvenirs
From mugs and coasters to tote bags, magnets, and cards, our collection makes thoughtful presents for birthdays, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, or Christmas.
Why the SS Great Britain Still Inspires Us Today
The ship isn’t just a museum—it represents Bristol’s spirit of innovation, adventure, and creativity. That’s why it continues to inspire artists, filmmakers, designers, and visitors from around the world.
It’s also why so many people choose to display SS Great Britain artwork in their homes: it’s a symbol of Bristol pride and a reminder that ingenuity can truly change the world.
