The Matthew

About

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Based in Bristol’s Floating Harbour for much of the year, The Matthew is popular for both harbour tours and longer sailing trips. 

The Matthew is owned by The Matthew of Bristol Trust and, when in Bristol, she is moored outside the M Shed museum. In June 2012, she took part in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee pageant on the River Thames, returning to Bristol shortly afterwards. She has also appeared at various maritime festivals, both at home and abroad – Brest and Vannes in France, and Falmouth, Plymouth, Gloucester and Portsmouth, a bit closer to home here in Bristol.

Hop on board

Ever popular, The Matthew provides an unrivalled platform to view the city from the water. 

When moored at the M Shed, The Matthew is free of charge to visit – you can come on board, look around, climb the steps to the upper decks, and have a chat with our knowledgeable guides.

If you want the full sailing experience, you can choose from a Harbour Trip, a Fish and Chips Trip or a Cream Tea Trip, cruising gently around the Floating Harbour, past the SS Great Britain and the old dock cranes, enjoying all the water activity that makes Bristol one of Europe’s most interesting maritime cities. Or go a little further afield on our Avon Gorge Trip, sailing down the River Avon, under the Clifton Suspension Bridge and along the Avon Gorge towards Pill. 

The Matthew is also available for private hire. 

Contact The Matthew on 0117 927 6868, email us at info@matthew.co.uk, or visit the website for further information about dates, to buy tickets for your trip, or for private hire information.

The Matthew – Past and Present

The modern Matthew is a fabulous and faithful reconstruction of the boat used by the explorer John Cabot when he discovered Newfoundland in 1497. 

The stunning replica was built here in Bristol to mark the 500th anniversary of Cabot's voyage, and upon her completion she set sail to reconstruct Cabot's original journey. On this historic journey in 1997, The Matthew followed the same course to Newfoundland as John Cabot had in 1497, carrying the same number of crew members and taking exactly the same amount of time to complete the crossing. On 24 June 1997, The Matthew was welcomed into port at Bonavista, Canada by Queen Elizabeth II. 

Today, when not moored in Bristol Harbour, the sails are unfurled, and the ship continues to explore the exciting wild seas around the British Isles and Northern Europe – creating a spectacle wherever she ventures.

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