This weekend (4-5th October) we celebrate Docks Heritage Weekend, with Underfall Yard, M Shed and SS Great Britain offering unique activities to explore the working history of the Floating Harbour. Visitors will be able to travel between venues by ferry or heritage bus. But you can also spot another crucial piece of working docks as you enjoy the harbourside walk: the Bristol Harbour Railway. Volunteer Anne-Marie Shepherd has been researching the story of the railway, and how it connected Underfall Yard to the rest of the docks... Bristol has a long maritime history and the City Docks (also known [...]

Local boatbuilders move back to Underfall Yard as the rebuild project continues. The historic Shipwright’s building is the first of the damaged buildings to be fully reinstated and occupied following the devastating fire in May 2023.   The Underfall Yard Trust has announced that the traditional boat-building firm Star Yachts has successfully reoccupied one of the listed buildings located in the boatyard. It is the first completed restoration of the damaged workshops and buildings that will allow businesses to use the site again for boatbuilding and repairs. The work was contracted to Stone BCI back in September 2024, who [...]

Western Daily Press 1931 (courtesy of British Newspaper Archive with assistance of Bristol Central Library) Yard Fest is only a few days away! Underfall Yard is proud to be serving as a fringe venue for this year's Harbour Festival, 19-20th July. The Harbour Festival has been a key date in Bristol's calendar since 1971, when it began as part of a successful attempt to rescue the Harbour from redevelopment. Volunteer writer Dave Duggan has been investigating the historic celebrations from before the festival as we know it... Although the modern series of Harbour Festivals began in 1971 [...]

"Lots of people that I sell to really appreciate the skill that has gone into making the mugs because they have had a go and gone home with an ashtray." - Kirstin Whitney Kirstin Whitney's clay sculpting at Wild Urban channels the classical elements of air, water, earth, and fire to create sustainable, striking ceramics. Her elemental mugs, displayed at the Underfall Café and Market, offer a refreshing purpose for a morning coffee or makeshift bowls for oatmeal. I have had the opportunity to speak with Kirstin about how her mugs tie into the topics of conservation, traditional [...]

Buy a boat! Save the yard! Morwen has been generously donated to Underfall Yard Trust to support the Recovery Fund.  Proceeds from the sale will go towards rebuilding the Big Shed to bring back the boatyard we know and love. Morwen is a classic wooden motor cruiser built in 1965 at Conwy for the boatyard owner, for use on the North Welsh coast. Propelled by original twin Perkins 4107 diesel engines, her cruising speed is seven knots. The most recent owner, who bought her following a satisfactory survey in 2011, has commissioned extensive, fully documented work throughout. It includes [...]

In the final part of his research project on historic yard tenants P&A Campbell, volunteer writer Dave Duggan explores how the company was impacted by the Second World War. He has uncovered some fascinating details on the requisitioning of their paddle steamers and materials for the war effort... Britain declared war on 3rd September 1939 and by the 16th September 10 of Campbells’ 11 steamers had been requisitioned by the Admiralty. The exception at the time, though later also requisitioned, was the Ravenswood which continued to provide ferry services between Weston and Cardiff until May 1940 when, following raids [...]

Are you a hospitality professional with a passion for customer service and great coffee? Underfall Yard Trust is looking for a dynamic Front of House Supervisor for our Café to lead the team and deliver exceptional guest experiences. The ideal candidate is a skilled barista who thrives in a fast-paced environment and takes pride in crafting quality coffee, even under pressure. If you’re a dedicated leader who loves creating a welcoming atmosphere, we’d love to hear from you! · Majority of the year, the café operates daytime hours only! Enjoy your evenings free with shifts between 7:30 AM - [...]