M Shed
M Shed
Wapping Road
Bristol
City of Bristol
BS1 4RN
England
Website
Telephone
0117 352 6600
M Shed is an exciting and innovative new museum for Bristol that tells the story of our city.
Located on the historic dockside, Bristol’s flagship museum has been designed to retain the character of the former 1950s transit shed.
Three galleries reveal the fascinating story of the city and its unique place in the world. From prehistoric times to the present day, explore the history of Bristol through the objects and stories of the people who have made the city what it is today.
See amazing film and photographs, listen to moving personal stories, encounter rare and quirky objects and add your own memories of the city through the many interactive displays.
M Shed is a living museum, where stories of the past will spark discussions about the future- where YOU can contribute to the changing story of the city.
Venue Type:
Museum
When this museum opens, part of Bristol Museums’ Designated Collections related to Bristol’s role as a manufacturing city and major seaport will be on display here.
Other parts of these collections can be seen at Bristol’s City Museum & Art Gallery, Georgian House, Red Lodge, and Blaise Castle House Museum. Please contact Bristol Museums for more information if you wish to see a specific item.
The museums were Designated in respect of outstanding collections relating to the City of Bristol, including topographical paintings and prints, maps and archaeological collections. The collections relating to the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries are particularly rich, and reflect the importance of Bristol in those centuries.
Key artists and exhibits
- Designated Collection
Wallace and Gromit from the Drawing Board
- 27 May — 7 September 2014 *on now
Visitors to Bristol’s M Shed and fans of Wallace & Gromit are in for an extra special treat this year as Wallace & Gromit will once again be a highlight in Bristol’s cultural calendar when a new exhibition opens this spring.
The exhibition will take visitors on a journey that explores the world which lies behind the Wallace & Gromit characters, their Bristol based creators, Aardman Animations and the award-winning films in which they star.
The new exhibition also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the first-ever Wallace & Gromit film release and highlights Bristol’s strong creative scene.
Exhibition highlights:
Visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to see the famous duo up-close and view ‘story boards’ used to create some of the familiar and amusing film scenes. Exhibition highlights will include; production artefacts such as notebooks from the creators, film archive, models, animation sets and clips. Some of the drawings and objects have never been on display before.
Throughout the exhibition, visitors will be encouraged to think about how stories are created: the characters involved; the setting; the plot – and then be inspired to make and draw their own stories to share with family and friends.
The exhibition will feature a series of ‘rooms’ from Wallace & Gromit’s home, each exploring a different creative theme. There will be interactive activities encouraging children to discover and explore their own creativity. Visitors will also be able to watch their favourite scenes and explore photo albums and scrapbooks from the world of Wallace & Gromit.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£5.95 Adult, £3.95 Child, £4.95 Concession. Family tickets £14.95.
Free days on Wed 18 June, Wed 16 July and Wed 20 August.
Website
http://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/wallace-gromit-drawing-board/
Moved by Conflict
- 11 October 2014 — 1 March 2015
Through the stories of Bristol people, this major exhibition will take you from the Bristol of the 1900s and its position in the British Empire, through the years of the ‘Great War’ and up to the present day impacts of global conflicts. It will explore the physical, social and personal changes brought about in the city on many levels.
The exhibition is part of ‘Bristol 2014’, a cultural programme marking the centenary of the start of World War 1. For more information on the programme visit www.bristol2014.com.
Presented in partnership with Bristol Cultural Development Partnership. Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Ticket prices tbc.
Website
Crane rides
- 13 — 14 September 2014 12-5pm
- 4 — 5 October 2014 12-5pm
This Feb Half-Term - ride the small charge Electric and Steam Cranes.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
Admission
No need to book.
Electric cranes: £2
Fairbairn: Free, but donations welcome.
Trips last 20 minutes.
Website
http://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/crane-trips/
Historical Walk: Explore The Old City
- 21 August 2014 10:30am-12:30pm
- 18 September 2014 10:30am-12:30pm
Expert walk leaders will point out locations which saw the birth of the city, its growth and later decline as a major seaport and centre of commerce. Events, people and places that earned the city a place in national history, culture and the arts are highlighted along the way.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
Admission
£2.00 suggested donation. Book in advance at the information desk on 0117 352 6600 or sign up on the day.
Website
http://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/historical-walk-old-city-2/
Train Rides!
- 9 — 10 August 2014 12-5pm
- 23 — 25 August 2014
- 13 — 14 September 2014 12-5pm
- 27 September — 28 July 2014
- 25 — 26 October 2014 12-5pm
- 1 — 2 November 2014 12-5pm
Be transported back to the days of steam, take a ride along the harbour on one of M Shed's biggest exhibits, Henbury Steam Locomotive.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Any age
Admission
Rides All Day Rover £4, Single/Return to Brunel’s ss Great Britain £1/£2, Single/Return to Create Centre £2/£3, Under 6s travel free. Trips run every 40 minutes.
Website
http://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/train-rides/
Historical Walk: Explore The Floating Harbour
- 5 August 2014 10:30am-12:30pm
- 2 September 2014 10:30am-12:30pm
Join expert guides as they take you on a trip into Bristol's old docklands, pointing out its maritime heritage and supplementing the tour with a wealth of fascinating photographs and maps.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£2.00 suggested donation.
Website
http://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/historical-walk-floating-harbour-2/
Historical Walk: M Shed To Victoria Park
- 13 August 2014 10:30am-12:30pm
- 10 September 2014 10:30am-12:30pm
Discover how Bedminster evolved from a rural Somerset parish to a bustling industrial town and the inevitable impact that this had on public health. Expert guides will highlight some of the key features of the Victorian expansion of south Bristol, illustrating the walk with a wealth of historical photographs, drawings and maps.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
Admission
£2.00 suggested donation.
Website
http://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/historical-walk-victoria-park/
Get Creative
- 31 July 2014 10am-12pm
- 7 August 2014 10am-12pm
- 14 August 2014 10am-12pm
- 21 August 2014 10am-12pm
- 28 August 2014 10am-12pm
- 4 September 2014 10am-12pm
Every Thursday there's an opportunity to get your creative juices flowing, inspired by everyday objects and the imaginary world of Wallace and Gromit. Artists will be on hand with just a few simple materials to help you create some amazing characters, stories and plots. Located in Wallace and Gromit's kitchen.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
Admission
Free with exhibition entry.
Exhibiton ticket prices: Adult £5.95, child, £3.95, concessions £4.95,
Family tickerts £14.94 ~ 2 adults & 2 children. Or 1 adult & 3 children.
Website
http://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/get-creative/
Pyronaut trips
- 30 — 31 August 2014 12-5pm
- 20 — 21 September 2014 12-5pm
- 18 — 19 October 2014 12-5pm
In 1940, Pyronaut was faced with her most challenging fire-fighting period, as the air raids of the Bristol blitz damaged and destroyed countless warehouses, factories, shops and homes around the Floating Harbour. During this time, she was constantly manned and worked through some of the worst raids of the war.
Take a boat trip with a difference! Watch the powerful water cannon at work on Bristol’s former fire-boat, on a trip around the docks that she was built to protect.
Trips last 30 minutes.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Buy tickets on board on the day.
Adults – £5
Child/concs – £3
Trips last 30 minutes.
Website
http://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/pyronaut-trips/
Boat Trips: John King
- 2 — 3 August 2014 12-5pm
- 6 — 7 September 2014 12-5pm
- 4 — 5 October 2014 12-5pm
Built by the last major Bristol shipbuilder, John King spent 35 years towing on the river. She also had special duties, which included supplying drinking water to ships in dry dock, assisting at ship launchings and putting vessels into dry dock and occasionally pulling grounded vessels back into deep water.
Take a trip on the harbour on this 1935 diesel tug – built to tow cargo ships from Bristol City Docks to the mouth of the River Avon. Trips last 30 minutes (approx).
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Buy tickets on-board on the day.
Adults – £5
Child/ Concs – £3
Trips last 30 minutes (approx)
Website
http://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/john-king-trips/
Travelling Light And Bristol Old Vic Summer School Performance
- 8 August 2014 4-5pm
Join young people from local theatre groups for a unique work-in-progress performance, exploring the rich history of Wapping Wharf.
Suitable for
- 11-13
- 16-17
- 18+
Admission
Suggested Donation £2
For ages 11+.
Characters from clay with Aardman
- 12 August 2014 10am-3pm
- 26 August 2014 From 10am
Make your favorite character – Gromit, Shawn the Sheep or Morph - with the help of Aardman’s expert model maker; learn about animation techniques used in Aardman’s award winning films, and take away your model.
10am, 12pm and 2pm
1 hour workshop.
Suitable for age 4+.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£3 child/£5 adult
*Keep your workshop ticket to visit the exhibition for ½ price on the day,
(or an alternative day if fully booked).*
Booking essential – call M Shop on:
0117 352 6914 between 10am-4.45pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am-5.45pm on weekends.
Website
http://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/characters-from-clay/
Boat Trips: Mayflower
- 16 — 17 August 2014 12-5pm
- 13 — 14 September 2014 12-5pm
- 25 — 26 October 2014 12-5pm
- 1 — 2 November 2014 12-5pm
Explore the harbour aboard the world’s oldest steam tug, built in Bristol in 1861. The little steam tug Mayflower was launched from a shipyard at what is now Pooles Wharf on 18 May, 1861. She went to work on the ship canal between Sharpness and Gloucester and managed a working life of over 100 years.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Buy tickets on-board on the day.
Adults – £5
Child/ Concs – £3
Trips last 30 minutes.
Website
http://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/mayflower-trips/
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