Brand New Museum 'Being Brunel' Opens in Bristol

New for 2018, Being Brunel explores the life and legacy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It brings together for the first time the world's most significant collection of one of engineering's greatest minds.

Brunel was one of the greatest engineers of the 1800s. He built bridges, tunnels, ships and railways that were longer, faster and bigger than anything seen before. Brunel was also an innovator, a leader, a dreamer and an artist. He was extraordinary, but he was also human. He had many faults and failures, but he never gave up. This is the Brunel you will meet when visiting Being Brunel.

Entry to Being Brunel is included in the admission price for Brunel's SS Great Britain which gives free unlimited return visits for a year. A separate ticket is not required. See the tickets and prices by clicking here.
Stop off for a refreshment in the new café, The Dockyard, situated in Being Brunel.

Here's a taster of what you can experience at the brand new 'Being Brunel'...

The Shakespeare Room:

Step into Brunel’s dining room, as it looked in his home of 18 Duke Street in London. Containing commissioned paintings of scenes from Shakespeare’s plays, the room was named the ‘Shakespeare Room’. In this room he and his wife, Mary, entertained family, friends and influential acquaintances who could help Brunel get his projects off the ground.

Brunel the Engineer:

Brunel’s burning ambition was to become the leading engineer of his generation, his instinct as an engineer was to always try new things and improve on existing technology. In this section of the museum visitors can explore Brunel’s innovative engineering.

Brunel the Entrepeneur:

Learn about Brunel's entrepreneurial spirit. Brunel enjoyed taking risks; riskier projects often guaranteed greater rewards and also fulfilled Brunel's love of drama and challenge.

Brunel the Celebrity:

Discover Brunel as a famous engineer in the celebrity zone. By 1850 he was a celebrity, with the public fascinated by him and his final project, the Great Eastern. The newspapers reported every detail and thousands of souvenirs were produced to commemorate his works, some of them on display in this section.

Brunel the Artist Designer:

In this section of the museum visitors can get up close to Brunel's extraordinary artistic designs. Drawing was an essential skill for an engineer and Brunel drew with artistry and discipline.

Brunel's Mind:

After learning about Brunel’s life and works, step into his mind and see the world through his eyes as his projects unfold in an engaging and exhilarating audio-visual experience.

Dock Office:

Go back in time to 1850 and explore the structurally restored Grade II* listed Dock Office. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of Brunel’s Duke Street London office, based in his home and the Great Western Steamship Company’s Bristol office.

Let Me Try:

Welcome back to the present day and explore Brunel's legacy as a hero engineer in the Let Me Try gallery.

Being Brunel has been made possible thanks to significant support from a range of charitable trusts, foundations, individuals and companies including National Lottery Players through the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, AIM Biffa Award and members of the Being Brunel Corporate Club.

Click here for more information about 'Being Brunel'!