The Matthew of Bristol
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Prince's Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RN
MONTHS OPEN
DAYS OPEN
AGE GROUPS SERVED
Listed under: Day Trip Destinations | Citizenship | Drama / Performing Arts | History | Leisure and Tourism | Educational Tours | Boat Trips | Historical Heritage | Ships & Maritime Museums | Outdoor Education | Special Educational Needs (SEN) | Team Building | Themed Attraction | Medieval School Tours | Medieval Workshops | Tudor Workshops
What we offer on a school trip
The Matthew of Bristol is available for educational trips, catering for children of all ages. Our volunteers love to lead children's groups and really bring to life what it was like on board the ship during Tudor times. However, if you have any specific areas of study that you would like us to cover, then please call us to discuss your ideas.
The Matthew is a replica of the Tudor caravel that John Cabot sailed from Bristol to Newfoundland in 1497. We primarily offer one-hour educational trips to primary school children during our sailing season between April and November, from Tuesday to Friday. However, our trips can be adapted to suit older children too.
All trips are designed to fit in with the national history curriculum. For KS1, the trip focuses on local history and pirates, including the famous Bristol pirate Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard. For KS2, pupils learn more about John Cabot, the discovery of Newfoundland and life on board a Tudor ship.
We want to make sure that you get the very best out of your time with us. Please get in touch with Sarah in the office if you’d like to talk about any of the trips that we offer.
What makes us a great choice for education
As one of Bristol’s oldest ‘living heritage’ stories, The Matthew is a great choice for school trips. The ship offers a unique space to learn more about Bristol’s maritime history whilst soaking in the sights of present-day Bristol.
The Matthew of Bristol offers a truly unique educational experience that you will not find anywhere else. The educational sessions are run on board the ship itself, which is a faithful replica of a Tudor caravel ship – as far as we know, she is the only one of her kind!
As well as allowing the children to explore the ship, they also get to experience the ship in action as we cruise around Bristol Harbour during your session. The children get a real kick out of sailing on a ‘pirate’ ship and love to have a go on the ship’s bell!
Our volunteer guides and crew are exceptionally knowledgeable and take real delight in engaging children with the history of The Matthew and life as a medieval sailor. Many of the crew have been with us for a number of years and are well-versed in both the past and present history of the ship.
What is typically included on our school trips
Choose from one of our three standard trips, aimed at various Key Stage groups from Reception up to Year 6:
Pirates!
Suitable for Early Years and KS1 (EYFS/Reception, Years 1 & 2, ages 3-7).
This is a one-hour session, including a trip around Bristol Harbour, for up to 40 children and adults.
Dressing up is strongly encouraged for this exciting pirate adventure around the Historic Harbour! Learn about the infamous Bristol pirate, Blackbeard, and his scary pirate friends, and even hoist the Jolly Roger flag!
1st Mate
Suitable for KS2 (Years 3-6, ages 7-11).
This is a one-hour session, including a trip around Bristol Harbour, for up to 40 children and adults.
Become part of The Matthew’s crew for a trip around Bristol’s historic Harbour. Learn about life on board in Tudor times, how sailors sailed the ship and how it is done today. How did sailors navigate across unknown and treacherous seas to undiscovered lands? Why did they go? What were they trying to find and exactly where did they end up? A lucky few may even get to steer the ship!
Deckhand
Suitable for KS1 or KS2 (ages 5-11).
This is a one-hour static session for up to 40 children and adults.
Step aboard for a tour of the ship and learn about Tudor life at sea. How did sailors navigate across unknown and treacherous seas to undiscovered lands? Why did they go? What were they trying to find and exactly where did they end up? This is a fun talk with the captain and his crew while we stay at our mooring just outside the M Shed.
Trips For Older Children
If you have a group of older children (aged 11+), we can adapt our session to work with your requirements. For example, we could look at early exploration and John Cabot. You could also use The Matthew as a space for your own teaching session. Please get in touch and let us know what you need.
Group Sizes Catered For
Each session caters for groups of up to 40 people.
At least 6 adults are required to join a trip, with a maximum total passenger number of 40. The teachers and other adults with the group remain responsible for the safety and behaviour of the children throughout the trip.
Materials, Resources & Information Provided
We can provide some resources to schools before they visit which they may find useful. This includes a quiz about the Matthew and medieval ships and a cut out model of the ship that children can make. These resources are also available to download directly from our website: https://matthew.co.uk/resources.
We also provide a copy of our hardcover book, The Matthew of Bristol by Clive Burlton, to each school that attends a trip.
Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions
We are very happy for schools to take photos, video and audio recordings, and drawings.
If appropriate, we also encourage schools to share them with us for use on our social media channels and website.
Risk Assessment Details
We can provide a standard risk assessment to schools when they book a trip with us. This also includes an up-to-date COVID-19 risk assessment. The crew give a safety talk before the start of every trip.
Teachers/group leaders are welcome to visit us beforehand if they need to complete an extra risk assessment.
Education Officer Information
In the first instance, please contact the office for school visit enquiries on 0117 927 6868 or info@matthew.co.uk and ask for Sarah.
We also have a trustee who acts as education lead on behalf of the Matthew of Bristol Trust – Dr Evan Jones from the University of Bristol.
Pricing Information
Pirates!
£180 for up to 40 persons (adults and children).
1st Mate
£180 for up to 40 persons (adults and children).
Deckhand
£180 for up to 40 persons (adults and children).
Clothing Requirements
The Matthew is an open, uncovered boat so please dress appropriately for the weather as there is only very limited shelter on board.
You will be more exposed to the weather when out on the water – it can feel slightly colder than it does on the quayside especially if it’s windy, and more exposed to the sun if it’s fine. We recommend you consider bringing an extra layer, waterproofs, and sun protection!
Pirate/sailor outfits are not provided but are encouraged, if appropriate!
First Aid Information
There are several first aid kits onboard and all of the crew are trained in First Aid. Any incidents are recorded in the ship’s Accident Book.
Available Facilities
There are toilets below deck which are accessible via a steep ladder. The Matthew doesn’t have lunch facilities but there are areas to eat lunch nearby on the quayside.
We are also next to the M Shed, which has toilets and a private lunchroom for hire. Please contact them directly to book.
Accessibility & Disabled Facilities
Unfortunately, as the ship is an accurate replica of a Tudor sailing ship, we do not have full disabled access. However, we do offer wheelchair access to the main deck, but please be aware that the upper decks and below decks can only be accessed by a ladder.
If you have children with a disability in your group, we highly recommend a visit beforehand so you can check whether the trip will be suitable.
We have welcomed many children with special educational needs on board and have had very positive feedback from both the children and their carers.
Opening Hours & Information
Our sailing season runs from April to November.
Educational trips take place during the sailing season from Tuesday to Friday in one-hour long sessions at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm and 1:30pm.
Testimonials
Stoke Bishop C of E School:
"Yesterday we brought our Year 3 class to The Matthew for a school trip – their first in 18 months. The children were so excited and had the most wonderful day. I just wanted to say thank you for having us. The trip was brilliant and will inspire a great piece of writing and will be talked about by the children for a long time! Many thanks."
Special Friends Club, Bristol:
"I am sure you can imagine for many families, taking a child with special needs is a daunting prospect. Your staff were amazing, totally understanding and so calm. Every member of staff went the extra mile to make this a truly memorable experience. A huge thank you from us to all and every one of you. As I said, an amazing day and one of the best days out we have been on. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Westbury Park Primary School:
"I'd like to thank you and your staff for a brilliant day yesterday with our Year 1 children. I thought your crew engaged really well with our pupils, enthusing them about life on board and giving them some really good information about pirates. They were also very patient with them - as you can imagine, it was pretty exciting! One of my children had never been on board a ship before!"
