SS Great Britain announce October half-term activities

This half term, SS Great Britain are inviting visitors to take a trip into the mystifying world of 19th century Halloween, by following their Terrifying Turnip Trail to experience frolic and fright the Victorian way.  

Visitors can explore the ship's Halloween heritage along the trail, as each turnip will reveal truths about ‘All Hallows Eve’ customs. Some of the traditions are still enjoyed on the 31 October today, such as telling chilling ghost stories and indulging in delicious delights, dates back centuries, to pre-Christian traditions. 

Throughout the October half term, SS Great Britain will also be collaborating with SGS Filton College Specialist Make-Up Design Degree Students to offer daily special effect demonstrations. Students will be transforming models into Gothic Horror monsters, based on descriptions from Victorian novels. 

Discover what these Gothic characters tell us about Victorian life, and the process behind the SFX transformation as the make-up artist brings these iconic monsters to life.

Victorian society embraced the spooky season, practicing rituals rooted in pagan and medieval superstition. Halloween parties were filled with fun and games including a much-loved past time ‘bobbing for apples’ which were all enjoyed solely by fire and candlelight. 

Back in the 19th century, turnips were traditionally used as jack o’ lanterns – ghoulish faces were carved into them to ward off ghostly spectres from the family home. This year, Brunel’s SS Great Britain will be illuminated with a Terrifying Turnip Trail guiding visitors around the ship.    

Tales of the macabre run throughout the SS Great Britain's history, spot spooky sights, hear creepy creaks and gruesome groans and explore cabins where tragic tales played out within the dark depths of the ship’s iron hull... 

This Halloween, the sights, sounds and smells of the ship have been heightened with some gruesome additions. Relive haunting histories as you encounter bloodied butchers, scurrying rats and ghastly smells on board.  

SS Great Britain are also welcoming the Ragged Victorians on board for the final weekend of the half term, for even more ghoulish fun!