Name: The Matthew of Bristol
Rating: 5.0

The Matthew of Bristol

Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol, Somerset and Bristol, BS1 4RN, England

1-90 Years

Paid

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Description

The Matthew of Bristol is a historic maritime attraction located at Princes Wharf in the heart of Bristol’s harbourside. As a full-size replica of the ship sailed by John Cabot in 1497, it offers visitors a unique link to Bristol’s seafaring past. It is one of the first attractions you see when exploring the Floating Harbour from the city centre.

Visitors can step on board for free, explore the main weather deck, forecastle deck, and poop deck, and talk to knowledgeable volunteer guides and crew. Below deck, you can view the accommodation saloon with the main engine, the galley with modern catering facilities, and the forepeak storing maritime equipment. The Matthew also operates Harbour Trips, Avon Gorge Cruises, Fish & Chips Trips, Cream Tea Cruises, and special themed events such as Sea Shanty trips and Piratitude sailings.

General visits to the ship while moored are free, with donations welcomed. Harbour Trips cost £14 for adults, £11.50 for concessions and children (5–16), with family tickets from £30, while Avon Gorge Cruises cost £45 for adults and £42.50 for concessions and children. Fish & Chips Trips cost £35 for adults and £32.50 for children, Cream Tea Cruises cost £30 for adults, and private hire starts from £700 for Harbour Trips and £1,000 for Fish & Chips Trips, with static hire from £500 per hour.

The Matthew of Bristol offers a relaxed yet fascinating experience combining history, learning, and time on the water. Its central location makes it easy to include alongside other harbourside attractions like M Shed and SS Great Britain. Whether visiting for free, joining a cruise, or attending a special event, it’s a memorable way to experience Bristol’s rich maritime heritage.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Floating Harbour: Several other maritime attractions are within easy reach of The Matthew – we're right next to the M Shed museum and just a short walk from the SS Great Britain. For further exploration of Bristol’s maritime heritage, head on down to Underfall Yard, a bit further along the quayside. Here, you can have a look around the working boatyard, explore the history of the Floating Harbour in the Visitor Centre and enjoy some refreshments at the Underfall Cafe.
Places to eat and drink: If you're hungry or fancy a bit of liquid refreshment, there are plenty of places to eat and drink right on our doorstep at Wapping Wharf – home to CARGO, which boasts a host of independent eateries, shops and more made entirely of converted shipping containers. Carry on along the Harbourside and you’ll find the specialist coffee shop New Cut Coffee, tapas bar and restaurant The Olive Shed and Brunel’s Buttery, where you can sample one of Bristol’s most famous bacon sandwiches while sitting on the quayside!
Other Activities: Just across the river, Millennium Square isn’t just about bars and restaurants, it’s also home to popular family attractions including We The Curious and Bristol Aquarium. And if you fancy relaxing in the tranquil surroundings of nature and wildlife, head on over to Brandon Hill, home to Cabot Tower – built in 1897 to commemorate the 400-year anniversary of John Cabot and The Matthew’s transatlantic voyage in 1497.

Facilities

Parking: Parking available.
The Bar: We run a cash-only licensed bar on board during our Fish & Chips Trip and our Avon Gorge Cruise – you may purchase teas and coffees, alcoholic and soft drinks when on one of these trips.
Catering: We don’t sell food on board The Matthew. A local caterer provides catering for our Fish & Chips Trips. If you are joining us on a trip where food is provided, you must order in advance when purchasing your ticket. If you are joining us for an Avon Gorge Cruise, we recommend you bring a packed lunch or snacks.
Toilets: The Matthew’s toilet facilities are only available when the ship is out sailing on trips where food and/or drinks are served. They are not available for visitors when the ship is moored or on a Harbour Trip, so please make use of the public facilities in the local area before boarding.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

PUBLIC TRIPS ON THE MATTHEW

Avon Gorge Cruise

Adult (17+): £45.00
Concession: £42.50
Child (5–16 years): £42.50
Infant (0-4 years): Free

Avon Gorge Cruise Family Tickets

Family of 3: 1 adult/conc + 2 child: £115
Family of 4: 2 adult/conc + 2 child: £155
Family of 5: 1 adult/conc + 3 child: £195

Harbour Trip

Adult (17+): £14
Concessions: £11.50
Child (5–16 years): £11.50
Infant (0-4 years): Free

Harbour Trip Family Tickets

Family of 3: 1 adult/conc + 2 child: £30
Family of 4: 2 adult/conc + 2 child: £40
Family of 5: 1 adult/conc + 3 child: £50

Fish & Chips Trip

Adult (17+): £35.00
Concession: £32.50
Child (5–16 years): £32.50
Infant (0-4 years) - food included: £12.50
Infant (0-4 years) - no food: Free

Fish & Chips Trip Family Tickets

Family of 3: 1 adult/conc + 2 child: £90
Family of 4: 2 adult/conc + 2 child: £120
Family of 5: 1 adult/conc + 3 child: £150

SPECIAL EVENTS

Fish & Chips Trip with Piratitude

Adult (17+): £40
Child (5–16 years): £40
Infant (0-4 years) - food included: £22.50
Infant (0-4 years) - no food: £10

Sea Shanties Fish & Chips Trip

Adult (17+): £40
Child (5–16 years): £40
Infant (0-4 years) - food included: £22.50
Infant (0-4 years) - no food: £10

Cream Tea Cruise

Adult (17+): £30
Child (5–16 years): £25
Infant (0-4 years) - food included: £11
Infant (0-4 years) - no food: Free

Pricing URL: https://matthew.co.uk/matthew-ticket-prices

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Fish & Chips Trip

Tues–Sun: £1,000
Catering: £13.50 per person
Duration: 2 hours (inc. 30-minute break for food)
Capacity: up to 40 people
Enjoy a relaxing cruise on The Matthew as we sail around Bristol’s historic Floating Harbour on this two-hour trip.
We set off from Princes Wharf, taking in the sights and sounds of Bristol's historic Harbour. The Matthew will take you on a round trip sailing between our mooring at Prince’s Wharf, Prince Street Bridge and The Pumphouse/Junction Lock.
During the trip, you are free to wander around the main deck – there are some excellent vantage points from which to take photos!
About 45 minutes into the trip, the ship will moor up at the Pumphouse Landing to take delivery of your fresh fish & chips, supplied by our local caterers.
At the end of the trip, we return to our Princes Wharf mooring to disembark.

Harbour Trip

Tues–Sun: £700
Catering: Not available for this trip
Duration: 1 hour
Capacity: up to 40 people
Enjoy a cruise around Bristol's historic Floating Harbour and experience the city from the water on this one-hour trip.
We set off from Princes Wharf, taking in the ights and sounds of Bristol's historic Harbour. The Matthew will take you on a round trip sailing between our mooring at Prince’s Wharf, Prince Street Bridge and The Pumphouse/Junction Lock.
During the trip, you are free to wander around the main deck – there are some excellent vantage points from which to take photos!
At the end of the trip, we return to our Princes Wharf mooring to disembark.

Static Hire

1 hour: £500
2 hours: £750
3 hours: £1,000
Capacity: up to 50 people
Static hire of The Matthew is available by the hour from Tuesday to Sunday as a separate hire option or as an addition to extend your time on board after your private hire trip.
The ship will be moored at our Princes Wharf mooring for the duration of the static hire and the bar will be open for refreshments.

Winter 2025/26 (November – March)

Saturdays & Sundays: 11am to 3pm

Summer 2026 (April – October)

Tuesday to Sunday: 10am to 4pm

Address: Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol, Somerset and Bristol, BS1 4RN, England

Post Code: BS1 4RN

Council: Bristol

County: Bristol

On Foot

The Matthew is around a 10-15 minute walk from Bristol City Centre.
From the Centre, head towards Arnolfini either by following the river or walking down Prince Street – if we are at our mooring, you will be able to see us across the water!
Cross Prince Street Bridge, then turn right, heading down the quayside past M Shed until you get to our mooring, just a minute or two away.

By Car

Car Parks: The Matthew does not have a car park. You’ll find the nearest car parks at:
Museum Street (BS1 6UD) near Brunel’s Buttery on Wapping Wharf – a 2–3 minute walk.
The Grove (BS1 4RB) near The Thekla and Mud Dock – approx. 8-10 minutes walk.
Maritime Heritage Centre (BS1 6JL) near the SS Great Britain – approx. 8-10 minutes walk.
The Millennium Square Car Park (BS1 5LL) – approx. 10–15 minutes walk (on the other side of the harbour).
Disabled parking bays are available at these car parks on a first-come, first-served basis.

By Bus

The Matthew is served by all buses that run to Bristol City Centre – check the bus routes on the First Bus Journey Planner.
You can also take the M2 Metrobus to the Wapping Wharf stop. It's then just a 2–3-minute walk to The Matthew. The M2 runs every 10-15 minutes from Long Ashton Park & Ride to the City Centre via Ashton Vale, Ashton Gate, Cumberland Basin, Spike Island, Redcliff Hill, Temple Meads, Cabot Circus and Broadmead. The Park & Ride is open from Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays and public holidays).
Alternatively, use the Portway Park & Ride and get a bus to the City Centre (St. Augustine's Parade stop), about a 15-minute walk from The Matthew. It is open from 6am Monday to Saturday and 9am on Sundays and public holidays.

By Bike

There are bike racks by the back entrance of M Shed which also links to the cycle track.
There is a tyre pump at the end of M Shed on Wapping Road.
Please note there is no cycle access on the dockside directly by The Matthew.
If you want to hire a bicycle or e-bike in Bristol, find out more on the You-Well website.

By Train

Bristol Temple Meads is around a 25-minute walk from The Matthew, or you can catch the number 8 bus from outside the station entrance, which will drop you in the City Centre.
Taxis are also available directly outside the station.