HIGHLIGHTS
CALENDAR
Heave away! The Bristol Sea Shanty Festival returns this September to fill the yard with song on Saturday 21st September.
We are delighted to welcome the finest shanty crews in the South-West back to Underfall Yard. Get ready for a joyous day of sing-a-longs, a well-stocked bar and kitchen, as well as some spectacular views over the historic Floating Harbour.
Underfall Yard’s Visitor Centre and Cafe will be open from 9am, with music throughout the day.
Entry is FREE for all performances, but come down to the yard early if you want to claim a seat.
With thanks to our generous supporters at Bristol Beer Factory.
Underfall Market
What’s more, 21st September is also a market day! Underfall Market will be returning to the yard, filling the walkway with vibrant stalls from Bristol’s talented makers and craftspeople. After its successful debut at this year’s Yard Fest, we can’t wait to see what this market has to offer. Read more about the Underfall Market…
Applications are now OPEN for Bristol’s makers, craftspeople and artisan producers to take part in the Underfall Market. Please fill out this form or get in touch at events@underfallyard.co.uk
We are delighted to introduce an exciting new feature: Underfall Market!
Upcoming Market Days:
- Saturday 21st September
- Saturday 5th October
- Saturday 30th November
- Sunday 1st December
Underfall Market is supported by Leon Etchells. Leon co-founded St Nick’s Night Market and ran the popular Harbourside Market during its expansion and Harbour Nights, the events evening version.
Underfall Yard Trust director Sarah Murray said: “For more than 150 years Underfall Yard has been the centre of trades, skills and crafts for Bristol Harbour. So we are excited to extend our space to the makers of Bristol and welcome them to the heart of Bristol’s Harbour.
“The Trust is committed to reinstating the workshops lost in the fire to continue the yard’s long legacy as a working boatyard. Opening up to traders and welcoming more members of the public to the yard is an important step along the journey to achieving this.”
Learn more about Underfall Yard’s Recovery and Reinstatement Project…
Join us on 28-29th September for the annual celebration of Bristol Harbour’s industrial heritage. It’s the perfect time to explore the harbourside’s history, with tons of activities for all ages at Underfall Yard, SS Great Britain and M Shed.
Entry is FREE throughout the weekend, with Underfall Yard activities taking place 10am-4:30pm.
Did You Know? – The Docks Heritage Weekend flyer can be exchanged for a £1 discount on travel with Bristol Ferry Boats OR a trip on a vintage bus between M Shed and Underfall Yard. Pick up a flyer at participating venues to enjoy this offer!
Please note: this offer is only active 28-29th September 2024, one flyer per ticket.
What’s on at Underfall Yard?
- Walkthrough of the yard’s Victorian docks workshop, one of the few remaining in the world
- Blacksmithing in the forge by Sam Bailey
- Family activities and demonstrations from the Knotters’ Guild
- Hydraulic Pump demonstration in the yard’s Pump House, guided by our amazing crew of volunteer pump operators
- …and introducing: Voices of the Yard – a self-guided audio trail with stories from those who have lived and worked around Underfall Yard.
Join us on 28-29th September for the annual celebration of Bristol Harbour’s industrial heritage. It’s the perfect time to explore the harbourside’s history, with tons of activities for all ages at Underfall Yard, SS Great Britain and M Shed.
Entry is FREE throughout the weekend, with Underfall Yard activities taking place 10am-4:30pm.
Did You Know? – The Docks Heritage Weekend flyer can be exchanged for a £1 discount on travel with Bristol Ferry Boats OR a trip on a vintage bus between M Shed and Underfall Yard. Pick up a flyer at participating venues to enjoy this offer!
Please note: this offer is only active 28-29th September 2024, one flyer per ticket.
What’s on at Underfall Yard?
- Walkthrough of the yard’s Victorian docks workshop, one of the few remaining in the world
- Blacksmithing in the forge by Sam Bailey
- Family activities and demonstrations from the Knotters’ Guild
- Hydraulic Pump demonstration in the yard’s Pump House, guided by our amazing crew of volunteer pump operators
- …and introducing: Voices of the Yard – a self-guided audio trail with stories from those who have lived and worked around Underfall Yard.
Applications are now OPEN for Bristol’s makers, craftspeople and artisan producers to take part in the Underfall Market. Please fill out this form or get in touch at events@underfallyard.co.uk
We are delighted to introduce an exciting new feature: Underfall Market!
Upcoming Market Days:
- Saturday 21st September
- Saturday 5th October
- Saturday 30th November
- Sunday 1st December
Underfall Market is supported by Leon Etchells. Leon co-founded St Nick’s Night Market and ran the popular Harbourside Market during its expansion and Harbour Nights, the events evening version.
Underfall Yard Trust director Sarah Murray said: “For more than 150 years Underfall Yard has been the centre of trades, skills and crafts for Bristol Harbour. So we are excited to extend our space to the makers of Bristol and welcome them to the heart of Bristol’s Harbour.
“The Trust is committed to reinstating the workshops lost in the fire to continue the yard’s long legacy as a working boatyard. Opening up to traders and welcoming more members of the public to the yard is an important step along the journey to achieving this.”
Learn more about Underfall Yard’s Recovery and Reinstatement Project…
The Docks Maintenance Workshop
The Docks Maintenance Workshop, one of the few remaining Victorian dock workshops in the world, will now have regular open hours for visitors to explore Bristol’s industrial heritage.
“Nowhere else is the essential character of the dock landscape preserved so completely…”
– J. Lord and J. Southam, 1983
This remarkable facility still houses original belt-driven machinery from the late 19th century, one of the many reasons why Underfall Yard forms the beating heart of the City Docks. Completed in 1884, the workshop provided a central workspace for the maintenance of the harbour. It is still in use by Bristol City Council’s Docks Engineers, making it a unique piece of living history.
Opening Hours
This walkthrough is available 1pm-3:30pm on the following Sundays:
- 27th October
- 24th November
This event is on a Pay What You Decide basis, with a recommended price of £3 per person.
The workshop will be sign-posted on the east side of the yard, close to the Harbour Master’s office. Parking is not available on site for visitors, click here for more information on travelling to Underfall Yard.
Booking is not required but entry may be staggered to prevent overcrowding. Please note that dogs are not permitted to enter the workshop, and all visitors under 12 must be supervised by a responsible adult.
The workshop is an active work site, as well as a Grade II* listed historic site. Please respect the safety guidelines provided by volunteers and staff.
Visiting the yard as a group?
Group visits can be booked all year round, including a full tour of the boatyard. Click here for more information.
The Docks Maintenance Workshop
The Docks Maintenance Workshop, one of the few remaining Victorian dock workshops in the world, will now have regular open hours for visitors to explore Bristol’s industrial heritage.
“Nowhere else is the essential character of the dock landscape preserved so completely…”
– J. Lord and J. Southam, 1983
This remarkable facility still houses original belt-driven machinery from the late 19th century, one of the many reasons why Underfall Yard forms the beating heart of the City Docks. Completed in 1884, the workshop provided a central workspace for the maintenance of the harbour. It is still in use by Bristol City Council’s Docks Engineers, making it a unique piece of living history.
Opening Hours
This walkthrough is available 1pm-3:30pm on the following Sundays:
- 27th October
- 24th November
This event is on a Pay What You Decide basis, with a recommended price of £3 per person.
The workshop will be sign-posted on the east side of the yard, close to the Harbour Master’s office. Parking is not available on site for visitors, click here for more information on travelling to Underfall Yard.
Booking is not required but entry may be staggered to prevent overcrowding. Please note that dogs are not permitted to enter the workshop, and all visitors under 12 must be supervised by a responsible adult.
The workshop is an active work site, as well as a Grade II* listed historic site. Please respect the safety guidelines provided by volunteers and staff.
Visiting the yard as a group?
Group visits can be booked all year round, including a full tour of the boatyard. Click here for more information.