Read part 1 of our deep dive into Bob Broome's diary here: https://underfallyard.co.uk/2025/10/28/the-diary-of-a-bristol-diver-bob-broome/ When Bristol diver Bob Broome began work as a Port of Bristol Authority diver, the City Docks were still a working port. With the advent of container ships, this could not last, and in 1969, Bristol City Council announced plans to close them. What would this mean for the future of the Floating Harbour? Should it be filled in to make way for a road system, as one plan recommended[1], or developed for leisure use? How much of the harbour infrastructure would be preserved, and how [...]
Take part in our naming competition for Bristol's newest bridge! While building works are taking place to reinstate the workshops lost in the 2023 fire, Underfall Yard and Bristol Maritime have worked together to install a temporary floating walkway for visitors to continue their loop of our famous Floating Harbour by connecting the Victorian-era docks maintenance workshops to the celebrated Underfall Cafe. To mark the occasion of inviting the public back walk through the boatyard in full, we are running a contest to give the walkway a name. This name will be used for the duration of the walkway's [...]
Ever since Bristol's Floating Harbour was established in 1809, Underfall Yard has been vital to its maintenance and the city's commercial trade as a whole. But not many people know how. A new year is a great time for a reintroduction, and our team of experts and custodians have created a quick guide that explains just how important we are to Bristol's history. Download our guide today and take the first steps in becoming an Underfall Yard specialist! Photo by yard volunteer Max By downloading our guide, you are consenting to allow The Underfall Yard Trust to [...]
David Sinden, one of our volunteers, uncovers the mystery of the Electricity Substation based behind Underfall Yard. It may look like a rundown piece of architecture, but this structure was a main part of the hydraulic network of the City Docks from 1906 to 2010. Thanks David for looking into some great Bristol history and the importance of this building to the Yard's (and the city's) infrastructure. Opposite the Avon Crescent entrance is a mysterious and imposing concrete structure (Fig 1). What is it? Is it an ugly monstrosity that should be demolished immediately, or is it a [...]
Underfall Yard raises over £20,000 in first 10 hours of Big Give campaign Over £10,000 was donated by 150 people within the first 10 hours, meaning the full match-funding pot will be released. But the work is not yet complete… By 10pm on 2 December, just 10 hours after the Big Give campaign opened, Underfall Yard Trust had received over £10,000 worth of donations from over 150 people. This will release the full match-funding pot from pledgees Seetru and Wring Group Limited; and funds from champion Reed Foundation. However, the work is not yet done: Underfall Yard still needs [...]
Underfall Yard launches fundraising campaign to support rebuild of boatbuilding workshops For one week, all donations to The Underfall Yard Trust are doubled (up to £10,000), to help the restoration of the boatyard following the 2023 fire. From 2nd to 9th December, The Underfall Yard Trust is taking part in Big Give’s Christmas Challenge fundraising campaign. The Trust started works to rebuild workshops yesterday (1st December). Underfall Yard still needs to raise £100,000 to implement improvements to meet modern boatbuilding needs and improve its community engagement works via a dedicated community space. The Trust has set an ambitious £10,000 fundraising target for [...]
NewsUnderfall SuperAdmin2025-10-24T13:36:35+01:00
