M Shed
M Shed is Bristol's museum about Bristol, set on Princes Wharf by the Floating Harbour. Entry is free, and its galleries trace the city from prehistoric times to the present through the people who shaped it and the places they lived and worked, with large working exhibits outside on the quay.
Photos
Gary Smith
Inside the museum
The displays are split into two main themes. Bristol People looks at what Bristolians have done, from trading to celebrating, while Bristol Places explores the city's landscape and how people have changed and experienced it. It is a good first stop on a trip, giving context for everything else you see in the city. Displays run right up to the present day, so it covers modern Bristol as well as the merchants and dockers, and families can find regular activities aimed at younger visitors through the year. Check the shop too for books on local history.
On the quayside
The Working Exhibits are big industrial objects displayed outside, and you can see them even when the museum is closed. The museum also runs harbour walks on the city's maritime heritage and tours of its collection stores, which dig into Bristol's industrial and maritime past; check the events listings for dates.
Planning a visit
Because entry is free, it is easy to drop in for an hour and come back. Families should look out for the SEND mornings and other activities. Pair it with the Arnolfini a few minutes along the water, then walk on to Millennium Square or find lunch on Wapping Wharf.
Highlights
- Free entry
- Bristol People and Bristol Places galleries
- Working Exhibits outside on the quay
- Harbour walks and collection store tours
- On Princes Wharf by the Floating Harbour
Good to know
- Entry is free; donations are welcome.
- Outdoor working exhibits can be seen when the museum is closed.
- Tours and walks are listed separately on the Bristol Museums site and may need booking.
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: bristolmuseums.org.uk