The Brunel Tour

For the first time since its recent restoration public access has been granted to historic Old Bristol Station, built by the industrious Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Bristol’s original station is located next to the current main station at Temple Meads and is the world’s oldest surviving purpose-built railway terminus, pre-dating London Paddington by over a decade. Completed in 1841, it was regarded as a ‘wonder of the Victorian Age’. It finally closed in 1965 and is now home to the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum.

Highlights of the guided tour include the massive Passenger Shed, cavernous underground vaults and the mock-Gothic grandeur of the Great Western Railway Boardroom. As well as demonstrating the immense achievement of the brilliant Victorian engineer the tour also offers a unique social history of a railway station at the beginning of the railway revolution. It is also the site of numerous claims of ghostly sightings of Brunel himself!

Tours are run on selected dates (both week and weekend dates are available). Please contact the Museum for availability. Pre-booking is essential.

As a working Museum, full access to the Brunel Boardroom and Passenger Shed cannot always be guaranteed. Free same-day Museum admission is included within the price of the Brunel Tour.

The British Empire & Commonwealth Museum has a 'no refund' policy and Brunel Tour tickets are not transferable.

Venue

British Empire & Commonwealth Museum, Temple

Tickets Information

 Facilities

Provider Preferences

• In town/city centre
• Of historic, literary or architectural interest
• Repeatable Event

Accessibility

• Accessible to Wheelchair Users

Parking & Transport

• Car parking

Payment Methods

• Booking essential

Establishment Features

• Cater for groups