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Brunel's ss Great Britain's Green and Gruesome Half Term

Autumn highlights are 'green' and gruesome, and will have you in knots - at Brunel's ss Great Britain.

There are plenty of events for all the family throughout the schools' October break (October 20 to 28).

As part of 'The Big Draw' initiative, families can join an artist in residence to design an eco-friendly vessel, and paint plates for the 'Peeking through Portholes' event on October 20. Visitors will even be able to turn their paper plates into a ceramic works of art (cost per plate made).

The 'Gruesome Great Britain' trail for children and 'Vile Victorians' for adults lifts the lid on the nastier side of life on board ship, October 21 to 30 - from rats nibbling on toenails, to a disappearing captain. From October 22 to 28 families can learn how to tie knots for sailing, and Mr Brunel - actor Martin Williamson - is also back by popular demand.

'The Big Draw' initiative, which links 1,000 groups and organisations across the UK, is the annual showpiece for the Campaign for Drawing. More than 350,000 people are taking part using village halls, shopping centres and museums. This year 'The Big Draw' is teaming up with The Royal Academy of Engineering, which is providing Brunel's ss Great Britain with the artist in residence Jayne Abbott, as part of the 'Shape the Future' campaign.

Visitors of all ages are invited to gain inspiration from I.K. Brunel and put on their stovepipe-shaped 'thinking hats'. The session includes a fun explanation of how steam and wind propelled the ss Great Britain through the high seas. The main challenge is to 'shape the future' and think imaginatively about creating green transport for the future.

There are prizes for the most inventive designs including educational construction toys for children and artist's limited edition framed prints for adults.

The ss Great Britain Trust's Education Officer Helen Horler said: "Our October 'half-term' activities are amazing and will prove a real highlight in the calendar of events at Brunel's ss Great Britain.

"There is plenty to see and do on board, in the dockyard and the Medlock Education Centre. Families can rise to the challenge of designing exciting and environmentally-friendly transport of the future. They can learn how to tie knots and design ceramic works of art and can also explore the vile and gruesome on board Brunel's ss Great Britain."

Helen added: "We are particularly pleased to be taking part in 'The Big Draw' event this year, and working on the 'Shape the Future' initiative which is supported by The Royal Academy of Engineering. We hope that visitors will not only have fun drawing but also come up with some fabulously inventive designs."

Jayne Abbott, artist in residence at Brunel's ss Great Britain, commented: "I will be challenging families to design a vessel of the future that does not need fuel and which relies on natural resources for power as part of a series of events at the ship."

Brunel's ss Great Britain, named England's 'Visitor Attraction of the Year 2007 and Europe's 'Best Industrial Museum 2007', is a great day out. Visitors can descend under the glass 'sea', step back in time in the Dockyard Museum, and discover life on board for Victorian passengers and crew, as well as take part in events run throughout the year.

Events are included in admission, unless stated, which allows for FREE return visits for a year.