Hire the Ship
View our facilites and amenitites.
The Balmoral is available for various event types.
How can you hire this ship
Moored in the heart of Bristol’s Floating Harbour, the historic MV Balmoral offers visitors the chance to step back in time. Built in 1949 and lovingly restored by volunteers, she’s a living piece of maritime history — open to explore, discover, and enjoy. Whether you’re a ship enthusiast, a family on a day out, or simply curious, everyone’s welcome aboard.
Facilities & Amenities
Top Facilities
- Facility One
- Facility Two
- Facility Three
Moored in the heart of Bristol’s Floating Harbour, the historic MV Balmoral offers visitors the chance to step back in time. Built in 1949 and lovingly restored by volunteers, she’s a living piece of maritime history — open to explore, discover, and enjoy. Whether you’re a ship enthusiast, a family on a day out, or simply curious, everyone’s welcome aboard.
Hire the Balmoral for Events
Balmoral is berthed in Bristol’s city docks, right in the heart of this beautiful and vibrant city. This unique venue is beautifully maintained with restored period lounges, providing unrivalled gateway access to Britain’s breathtaking heritage coastline.
If you are interested in stepping aboard the Balmoral, you might be happy to learn that the ship is available to hire at her home berth of Bristol for events, weddings, conferences and meetings. The ship is capable of accommodating hundreds of guests, from an informal event to a full sit-down meal. Our event planning team would love to work with you to meet any specific requirement you may have.
Consider:
Special Occasions, Christmas Parties, Wedding Receptions, Corporate Dinners, Product Launches.
Britannia Lounge
Our Britannia Lounge is situated on Deck 2 with windows running down either side of the room to provide an excellent scenic view. This traditional lounge can accommodate up to 150 individuals, with a fully stocked bar. Serving a range of wines, spirits, beers and minerals, the ship can also offer entertainment and full buffet section in this section if required.
Our Restaurant
Our on board Art Deco restaurant can comfortably seat up to 80 people at any one time. Located on the Deck 2 towards the rear of the ship, you can watch the scenery slip by as you enjoy your meal. Today, the restaurant can provide anything from a snack to a complete three course meal, accompanied by a selection of wines and beverages. Be served at your table, or enjoy a buffet style menu – the choice is yours. Our events team will help you choose the right menu and setup to meet your needs.
Lower Bar
The Lower Bar aboard Balmoral is one of the most original features of the ship, designed in complete 1930’s Art Deco style. It can comfortably accommodate up to 120 individuals, with a fully stocked ar of wines, spirits, draught ales and ciders. If required, catering can also be extended to the lower bar, with an additional option of added entertainment.
Observation Lounge
The Observation Lounge is ideal for intimate gatherings of up to 40 individuals. It is located on Deck 3 which is our promenade deck, boasting panoramic views towards the front of the vessel. If required, a mobile bar and catering service can be provided to this section of the ship.
Upcoming Events
Pricing & Packages
Hire for a party
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Hire for the day
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Hire for a boat trip
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Film, Television & Photography
The Balmoral offers a variety of locations and opportunites, ranging from unaltered 1940’s character and machinary, to providing backdrop and platforms for filming. Each of the ships unique locations can be used for filming, television, photo shoots and external hire; and are full of period detail from the 1940’s – Present.
Adapt the vessels cosmetics as required, then ensure you get the perfect backdrop by sailing to one of your chosen locations – whether it be pier, harbour, port or at sea. The ship is versatile enough to provide for an easy filming environment. Whilst on board, the ship can provide covered accommodation for cast, crew and models – including full electrical power, full cabins, changing areas, showers and washrooms.
If you have any questions on availability, please visit the Contact page.
- Qualified operators certified internationally by UK Government
- Experienced in catering for all kinds of special events & passengers
- Full health and safety compliance
- Insurance requirements completely dealt with
- Archivist or conservation staff for period marine detail
- Fully operational Bridge – with traditional Ships Wheel
- Fully trained flexibly staff
- All proceeds are charitable
Action Scenes
We are also able to offer the following shots & assets
- Leaving port
- Blowing the horn
- Dropping anchor
- Gangway scenes
- Period public rooms
- Traditional Saloons
- Flying flags
- Funnel smoke
- Ringing the Ships Bell
- Traditional timber decks
- Throwing Ropes
- Hauling in
- Wash from the Propeller
- Launching of lifeboat
- Waves crashing on the bow
- Open working machinery
- Wooden deck furniture
- Authentic dressing of staff
The Balmoral was a gem of a find. Its conserved beauty was the perfect setting for a crucial moment in the film and we couldn’t have done it without the wonderful support of Bristol.
Due to the period setting, a very specific look was needed to recreate 1940’s Guernsey both during and just after the occupation. Bristol has a fantastic dockside museum, which has been beautifully preserved. It has enabled us to transform the exterior to represent Weymouth Docks in 1946.
When we first set out to make this film, one of our main challenges was sourcing a sizeable 1940’s steam ship onto which our Jersey deportees would be loaded. The quayside by the Balmoral was ideal for our film. The period cranes, the other barges and the great support of the Bristol Film Office and the Harbour Master helped us to achieve fantastic production value for one of our film’s biggest scenes.
Bristol Harbour is one of Britain’s most beautiful and historic ports and it’s fantastic to see it serve as a backdrop in one of the largest scenes in Another Mother’s Son. It further cements Bristol’s strong reputation for film and TV production and I look forward to seeing the iconic Bristol landmark on the silver screen.
Shoots like these are major operations that employ local crew and bring an influx of cast and crew to the city to spend in our local economy. The benefits to Bristol are significant, worth more than £16 million to the city last year alone, not to mention boosting Bristol’s profile as a world class filming destination.