Bristol is launching a new event called Harbour Works which is a family-friendly celebration of Bristol’s historic Harbourside area and welcomes a range of maritime-themed activity from Harbourside attractions on 28th to 30th October 2010. Visitors can explore the Floating Harbour, hunt for treasure, meet Mr Brunel, enjoy boat rides, go sailing, watch boat-making, take a pirate walk, enjoy hands-on activities, and more. Harbour Works is suitable for a wide range of ages, including older children.
Several Harbourside businesses have teamed up to offer amazing half-term activities, where boats and pirates are a common theme.
Families can meet Mr Brunel and enjoy ‘Ratcatcher’s Halloween’ storytelling on board Brunel’s ss Great Britain. Visitors can watch traditional boat building at the Underfall Yard or hop on The Irene to tour this beautiful visiting vessel. Also on the water, Bristol Sailing School is offering free ‘Try a Sail’ taster sessions and tug boat; The John King will leave Wapping Wharf every half hour for tug trips around the Harbour. The Bristol Ferry Boat Company and No 7 Boat Trips will offer concessionary rates on all ferry services for easy transport.
During Harbour Works, pirates and treasure hunts won’t go unnoticed. The CREATE Centre is offering a self-guided trail called the, ‘New Cut Treasure Hunt’ where visitors can win a mystery prize. After finding their treasure, pirate lovers can take a walk with Pirate Pete to learn about the Harbour’s fascinating history. Since the event takes place Halloween weekend, organisers encourage families to dress up as pirates and join in the fun.
Visitors can also explore the historic Harbourside via the Bristol Harbour Railway which will run half-hourly from 12 noon, between the platform at Brunel’s ss Great Britain to the CREATE Centre.
Art lovers can draw, print and even make paper at Spike Print Studio or experience informal drawing sessions at Studio Upstairs. Spike Island is hosting free building tours and children’s activity sheets in the café.
At Bristol City Docks, go behind the scenes of the engineering workshop, hydraulic pump house and Cumberland Basin control rooms. Or, see the only surviving example of Sir William Fairbairn’s Harbourside crane in action. Visitors can also stop by Ecohome to take a sneak peek at the properties featured in Bristol Green Doors Weekend.
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