The building was originally the transit shed for 'L' Warehouse, built in the early 1950s.
The museum houses the iconic blue statue of Edward Colston, which was toppled by protesters in 2020.
The museum floor displays a massive, salvaged map of Bristol painted directly onto the ground.
Visitors can take trips on vintage steam trains and boats that are part of the museum's working collection.
The museum contains an original 1950s 'Bones' bicycle and other local production oddities.
The site includes four functional 1950s electric wharf cranes, which remain in their original positions.
M Shed is a social history museum located in a converted 1950s transit shed on Bristol's historic Princes Wharf. The museum focuses exclusively on the city's identity, covering industrial heritage, maritime history, and the diverse lives of its residents. Exhibits span from prehistoric times to the modern era, incorporating significant local artifacts like the statue of Edward Colston. The building retains its original industrial facade and integrates restored dockside cranes into the visitor experience. Interactive displays allow visitors to explore Bristol’s role in the transatlantic trade and its evolution as a cultural hub. It features large-scale historical vehicles, including restored steam trains and fireboats that operate on the wharf. The museum is a focal point for understanding the city's complex social and economic narrative.
The second-floor balcony overlooking the historic dockside cranes with the harbour in the background.
Check the museum's calendar to see when the steam trains and tugboats are operating on the wharf.
Spend time on the top floor gallery for panoramic views across the Floating Harbour.
Combine your visit with a walk along the adjacent Underfall Yard to see traditional boatbuilding.
Do not rush past the smaller, community-curated exhibits, as they often hold the most unique local personal stories.
Closed on Mondays.
