M Shed: Bristol’s Living History Museum on the Harbourside
Discover Bristol’s vibrant history and harbour heritage in the dynamic and free M Shed museum on Princes Wharf.
M Shed is a free museum located on Princes Wharf beside Bristol’s Floating Harbour. Housed in a restored 1950s transit shed, it showcases over 3,000 artefacts that tell the story of Bristol’s people, places, and industrial heritage. Visitors explore the city’s rich history from prehistoric times through to the present day, including its maritime past, wartime experiences, and cultural evolution. The museum also features working cranes, steam trains, and panoramic harbour views.
A brief summary to M Shed
- Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol, BS1 4RN, GB
- +441173526600
- Visit website
- Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours
- Free
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Indoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
- Thursday 10 am-5 pm
- Friday 10 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday 10 am-5 pm
Local tips
- Visit the upper floors for quieter galleries and stunning panoramic views of Bristol’s Floating Harbour.
- Check the schedule for live demonstrations of the working cargo crane and historic steam train.
- Enjoy a break at the café which opens onto the lively dockside public square.
- Allow 1.5 to 3 hours to explore the extensive exhibits and interactive displays fully.
- M Shed is free to enter, but donations help support the museum’s programs and upkeep.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Bus
Several bus routes serve the city centre near Princes Wharf, with journeys typically taking 15 to 25 minutes from Bristol Temple Meads station. Buses run frequently throughout the day with single fares around £2 to £3.
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Train and Walk
From Bristol Temple Meads railway station, it is a 15 to 20-minute walk along the harbour to M Shed. The route is mostly flat and accessible, passing through the city centre and waterfront areas.
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Taxi or Rideshare
A taxi or rideshare from Bristol Temple Meads to M Shed takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes depending on traffic, costing around £6 to £10. This option offers door-to-door convenience.
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Car
Visitors arriving by car can use nearby public parking facilities such as the Wapping Wharf car park. Parking fees vary but expect around £2 to £4 per hour. Note that the harbourside area can be busy during weekends and events.
M Shed location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about M Shed
A Dynamic Tribute to Bristol’s Past and Present
M Shed stands proudly on Princes Wharf, a former 1950s transit shed transformed into a vibrant museum that captures the spirit of Bristol. It offers an immersive journey through the city’s history, from its prehistoric roots to modern times. The museum’s extensive collection of over 3,000 objects includes industrial machinery, artworks, photographs, and digital archives that bring to life the stories of Bristol’s diverse communities and their contributions to the city’s development.Engaging Exhibits and Interactive Experiences
Visitors can explore thought-provoking displays on Bristol’s maritime heritage, its role in global trade including the transatlantic slave trade, and its industrial and engineering achievements. Original working exhibits such as cranes and steam trains provide a tactile connection to the city’s dockside past, with occasional demonstrations that delight visitors of all ages. The museum also highlights Bristol’s social history, including protests and cultural movements, making it a place of reflection and learning.Architectural Character and Panoramic Views
The building itself retains much of the character of the original transit shed, blending historic industrial architecture with modern design elements. The upper floors offer quieter galleries and spectacular panoramic views over the Floating Harbour, allowing visitors to appreciate the cityscape and waterfront from a unique vantage point. The museum’s café opens onto a lively public square, making it a perfect spot to relax and soak in the harbourside atmosphere.Community and Cultural Significance
M Shed actively involves local communities and experts in telling Bristol’s ongoing story, ensuring the museum reflects diverse voices and perspectives. It serves as an educational hub with guided tours, workshops, and events that engage families, students, and history enthusiasts. The museum also functions as a wedding venue and event space, integrating cultural heritage with contemporary community life.Accessibility and Visitor Amenities
Fully accessible to all visitors, M Shed provides facilities including disabled toilets with changing places, ramps, guide dog access, and hearing and visual impairment support. The on-site café and gift shop enhance the visitor experience, while information boards and digital resources deepen understanding. The museum’s location on the harbourside places it within easy reach of Bristol’s city centre attractions.A Free Cultural Landmark with a Lasting Impact
Admission to M Shed is free, encouraging wide public access to Bristol’s rich heritage. Donations are welcomed to support ongoing exhibitions and conservation. The museum’s blend of engaging storytelling, historic artefacts, and scenic setting makes it a must-visit for anyone seeking to understand the city’s identity and evolution through time.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
The Matthew of Bristol
0.1 km
Explore Bristol's maritime heritage aboard The Matthew, a historic ship offering breathtaking views and engaging tours of the city's vibrant harbor.
Prince Street Bridge
0.1 km
A working Victorian swing bridge over Bristol’s Floating Harbour, connecting the city centre with the Cumberland Road area and offering quiet views of boats and quays.
Statue of Cary Grant
0.3 km
Celebrate Hollywood legend Cary Grant with a lifelike bronze statue in Bristol’s vibrant Millennium Square, capturing his timeless charm and local roots.
King George V Memorial Fountain
0.5 km
Lutyens-designed waterfront memorial honouring King George V with monumental sculptural figures.
Cascade Steps
0.5 km
Historic Cascade Steps in Bristol offer scenic waterfront views and a tranquil urban retreat steeped in maritime heritage.
Statue of Ram Mohan Roy
0.5 km
A dignified bronze tribute in Bristol honoring Ram Mohan Roy’s legacy as a pioneering Indian reformer and visionary.
Statue of Edmund Burke
0.7 km
A bronze tribute to Edmund Burke on Bristol’s waterfront, where 18th-century ideals meet modern city life.
Old Post Office
0.8 km
Discover Bristol’s 18th-century Old Post Office, a preserved Georgian landmark blending rich history with vibrant city life at Corn Street.
Bristol Bridge
0.8 km
A historic stone bridge spanning Bristol’s Floating Harbour, linking the Old City with Redcliffe and centuries of the city’s story.
The Nails
0.8 km
Historic iron nails in Bristol’s Corn Street where medieval merchants sealed their deals, embodying the city’s rich trading heritage.
Royal Talbot Buildings
0.8 km
Discover the Royal Talbot Buildings in Redcliffe, Bristol: A luxurious executive suite experience perfect for your city escape.
Medieval Vaults
0.9 km
Explore Bristol’s hidden medieval cellars beneath High Street, where Gothic vaults tell tales of centuries past beneath the city’s modern bustle.
Brandon Hill
0.9 km
Explore Brandon Hill, Bristol's picturesque park featuring stunning views, vibrant gardens, and a peaceful atmosphere perfect for relaxation and adventure.
The Red Lodge Museum
0.9 km
Explore The Red Lodge Museum, a historical landmark in Bristol, showcasing exquisite period rooms and captivating exhibitions that illuminate the city's rich heritage.
Old City Walls
0.9 km
Trace the vanished medieval walls that shaped Bristol’s historic Old City, revealing centuries of rich heritage and urban evolution.
Unmissable attractions to see
Bristol Harbour Railway
0.1 km
Step aboard Bristol Harbour Railway’s heritage steam train for a scenic 15-minute journey through the city’s historic waterfront.
Lloyds Amphitheatre
0.1 km
A landmark postmodern amphitheatre and public space at Bristol’s harbourside, blending architectural heritage with vibrant cultural events.
Bristol Ferry
0.2 km
Scenic water transport linking Bristol's landmarks with friendly crews and harbour-side charm.
Millennium Square
0.3 km
A vibrant urban square by Bristol’s Harbourside, blending modern design, cultural events, and family-friendly fun year-round.
Pero's Bridge
0.3 km
Discover Pero's Bridge in Bristol, a blend of modern architecture and historic charm, perfect for leisurely strolls and picturesque views of the harbor.
Narrow Quay
0.3 km
Historic Narrow Quay in Bristol blends maritime heritage with vibrant arts and waterside charm in the heart of the Floating Harbour.
Hannover Quay
0.3 km
Discover Hannover Quay, Bristol’s vibrant harbourside district blending historic charm with modern waterfront living and cultural buzz.
The Bristol Wheel
0.3 km
Soar above Bristol’s iconic landmarks on The Bristol Wheel, a dazzling Ferris ride offering stunning panoramic city views day and night.
We The Curious
0.3 km
Discover Bristol’s vibrant science centre with interactive exhibits, creative workshops, and the UK’s only 3D Planetarium in a playful, inclusive space.
Bristol Aquarium
0.3 km
Explore captivating marine life and conservation stories at Bristol Aquarium, a vibrant underwater world in the heart of Bristol.
Queen Square
0.4 km
A serene Georgian square in Bristol’s center, blending historic charm with peaceful green space and vibrant cultural life.
Watershed
0.4 km
A vibrant cultural cinema and creative hub on Bristol’s Harbourside, blending film, food, events, and sustainability in a welcoming setting.
Redcliffe Caves
0.4 km
Explore Bristol’s mysterious underground network of historic sandstone caves, once vital to glassmaking and now a captivating cultural venue.
Harbourside
0.4 km
Discover Bristol Harbourside, where rich maritime history meets vibrant culture, waterside dining, and lively urban charm.
Bristol Cathedral
0.5 km
Explore Bristol Cathedral’s majestic medieval hall church with soaring vaults, Gothic Revival nave, and centuries of rich history in the city’s heart.
Essential places to dine
Tare Restaurant
0.0 km
Experience vibrant modern European cuisine in a stylish, relaxed setting overlooking Bristol’s Floating Harbour.
Harbour & Browns
0.1 km
Contemporary fusion dining in stylish shipping containers with harbour views at Bristol’s vibrant Wapping Wharf.
Gambas
0.1 km
A vibrant Spanish tapas bar in a harbourside shipping container, serving excellent seafood and classic small plates with great views over Bristol Harbour.
Root
0.1 km
A pioneering vegetable-focused restaurant in Bristol’s waterfront Cargo, blending seasonal flavors with a unique shipping container setting.
BOX-E
0.1 km
A tiny 14-seat restaurant in Bristol’s Wapping Wharf shipping containers, serving inventive Modern British tasting menus and seasonal dishes in an intimate, industrial-chic setting.
The Olive Shed
0.1 km
Mediterranean tapas and seafood with stunning harbour views in a cozy, waterside Bristol setting.
Rick's
0.3 km
Discover Rick's in Bristol - where exceptional cocktails meet delightful brunches in a vibrant waterfront setting.
Las Iguanas - Bristol - Harbourside
0.3 km
Lively Latin American dining and cocktails with vibrant vibes by Bristol’s picturesque Harbourside waterfront.
Casa Bristol
0.3 km
Refined Italian cuisine with a contemporary twist in Bristol’s historic Redcliffe harbourside, blending tradition and innovation.
The River Grille
0.3 km
Elegant Harbourside fine dining with West Country steaks, fresh seafood, and panoramic waterfront views.
MUSE Brasserie - Bristol
0.3 km
Discover the exquisite blend of French and Indian flavors at MUSE Brasserie, Bristol’s premier fusion dining destination in an elegant bistro setting.
Riverstation
0.4 km
Stylish harbourside dining in Bristol with dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, and panoramic river views from a smart, nautical-inspired restaurant and bar.
New MoOn On The Quay
0.4 km
Eclectic tapas and global flavors served in a quirky riverside setting with garden charm and inclusive menus in Bristol’s Floating Harbour.
Hole In The Wall Bristol
0.4 km
Historic Bristol gastropub offering classic British fare, vibrant atmosphere, and a charming beer garden in the heart of Queen Square.
Harbour House - Restaurant, Bar & Terrace
0.4 km
Historic waterfront restaurant celebrating southwest seafood and seasonal produce with stunning harbour views.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Something Elsie
0.0 km
Discover vibrant 80s and 90s vintage fashion, dazzling jewellery, and quirky gifts in Bristol’s colorful Something Elsie shop at Cargo 2.
Fig1
0.1 km
Discover Scandinavian-inspired homewares and unique gifts at this independent Bristol gem, where clean lines meet creative curation in the heart of Wapping Wharf.
Orendo
0.4 km
Discover unique ladies' fashion at Orendo, a chic clothes shop in Bristol that embodies the city's vibrant style and trends.
my a2space
0.4 km
A compact Harbourside shop showcasing locally made prints, gifts and artisan wares from Bristol’s creative community.
Will's doss pit
0.4 km
Dive into Bristol's quirky underbelly at Will's Doss Pit, where vintage treasures and bohemian finds await in historic Queen Square.
Zhyper
0.4 km
Trendy threads and accessories in Bristol's Harbourside hub, where personal style meets waterfront vibrancy and urban creativity.
Home Grown Pop Up Gift Shop at Windmill Hill City Farm
0.7 km
Discover unique handmade gifts by Bristol artists at the vibrant Home Grown Pop Up Gift Shop within Windmill Hill City Farm.
Over Here
0.8 km
Discover quirky gifts and stylish clothing at Over Here, a hidden gem in Bristol's historic St Nicholas Markets arcade.
Alices Secret Empourium
0.8 km
Uncover Bristol's quirk-filled gift haven on Park Street, where eclectic treasures and whimsical wonders await every curious explorer.
This Feeling
0.8 km
Trendy threads in Bristol's historic market heart—independent fashion amid Georgian charm and bustling stalls.
Riff Raff Gifts The Bong Shop
0.8 km
Specialist smoking accessories retailer in historic St Nicholas Market's Covered Market.
uchi clothing co
0.8 km
Discover stylish, sustainable fashion in Bristol’s historic Corn Exchange at Uchi Clothing Co, where quality meets contemporary design.
Rhubarb Jumble
0.8 km
Discover timeless vintage fashion and unique home treasures in the heart of Bristol’s vibrant Southville neighborhood.
Memories
0.8 km
Explore 'Memories' in Bristol for unique gifts and local treasures that capture the spirit of your visit.
Quadrant Trading
0.8 km
Discover handcrafted Bristol treasures at Quadrant Trading in the historic Corn Exchange—a shopper's delight of local artistry and unique souvenirs.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Shakespeare Tavern
0.2 km
Waterside Bristol pub pouring cask ales, pub classics, and community cheer in a dog-friendly haven with garden vibes.
The Architect
0.2 km
Art deco café-bar on Bristol's Floating Harbour: coffees by day, cocktails by night, with terrace views of ferries and quayside life.
Steinbeck and Shaw
0.3 km
Bristol's graffiti-glazed cocktail haven where masterclasses, happy hours, and late-night vibes collide in historic style.
Slug & Lettuce - Harbourside Bristol
0.3 km
Bristol harbourside cocktail haven with 2-for-1 drinks, bottomless brunches, and waterfront terrace vibes for unforgettable nights out.
Loose Cannon Cocktail Bar - Bristol
0.4 km
Quirky harbourside haven blending pop culture cocktails, local art, and Bristol's playful vibe in a waterfront independent gem.
Mackenzies Bar & Kitchen
0.4 km
A relaxed, all-day cafe-bar in the W Shed offering casual meals and drinks beside Bristol’s harbourside.
Small Bar
0.5 km
Bristol's compact craft beer gem: sample microbrew masterpieces in rustic intimacy amid King Street's historic buzz.
Kongs of King Street
0.5 km
A lively Bristol bar blending arcade games, craft beers, and vibrant music for unforgettable nights on King Street.
The Clockwork Rose
0.7 km
Bristol's steampunk speakeasy where airship captain's cocktails blend Victorian flair, fantastical lore, and masterful mixology into unforgettable evenings.
Brozen Bar - Bristol
0.7 km
Discover Bristol’s Brozen Bar, where inventive frozen cocktails and a cosy atmosphere create a unique, must-visit cocktail experience.
Secret Cocktail Club - Bristol
0.7 km
Discover Bristol’s hidden basement bar blending historic charm with expertly crafted cocktails in an intimate, secretive setting.
Revolution Bristol
0.7 km
Two-storey cocktail bar in Bristol’s Old Fish Market — colourful interiors, mezzanine balcony and cocktails for day and night.
Slug & Lettuce - City Centre Bristol
0.8 km
Bristol's go-to cocktail haven on St Nicholas Street, blending lush drinks, tasty bites, and vibrant nights in the Old City heart.
Bag of Nails
0.8 km
A quirky Bristol pub where hand-drawn art, local ales, and friendly cats create an unforgettable and cozy atmosphere.
The Boardroom
0.8 km
Grazing boards, rum mastery and historic charm in Bristol's Old City—perfect for intimate drinks or private hires till late.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Relaxing
- Scenic
- Cultural Heritage
- Unique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Modern Designs
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Parks & Gardens
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Waterfront
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
- Weekend Getaway
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Pet Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
