The Matthew of Bristol

20/10/2026

Meet Royston!

He founded the Matthew of Bristol Trust and has held several roles at the charity including former Chairman and Honorary Admiral. He remains a Trustee.

18/10/2026

Meet Ann, she’s a Trustee here at The Matthew of Bristol Trust, looking after our team of passionate volunteers.

Ann’s responsible for the health, safety and wellbeing of Volunteers. She’s been a Trustee for 13 years but has managed the Volunteers for 16 years and has been a Volunteer on the ship for 22 years.

05/10/2026

Next year marks a significant milestone for The Matthew – it’s 30 years since The Matthew set sail for North America, tracing the route of John Cabot’s 1497 voyage of exploration.

In honour of this landmark year, we’ve got ambitious plans to ensure the ship has an even greater impact on heritage, education and community engagement. Stay tuned for more updates!

01/10/2026

Phil is a local history teacher who educates his students about John Cabot. After a trip aboard The Matthew, he was excited to go back and tell his students about his experience and encourage them to visit the ship and see what it’s like on board.

28/09/2026

Ahoy there!

We want to take a moment to celebrate the amazing impact The Matthew has had on our local community over the past six months. We’re so proud to play a role in preserving local heritage and supporting public education. Long may it continue!

📷: Izabela Probert

24/09/2026

We’re looking for two Volunteer Trustees to join our Board.

If you’re passionate about local heritage and public education, this is a unique opportunity for you to use your expertise to help The Matthew become more sustainable and protect the ship for future generations.

There are two roles available:

- The Volunteer Trustee Treasurer role will give an individual the opportunity to use their financial expertise to help the Trust become sustainable and protect the Matthew for future generations.

- The Volunteer Trustee Fundraiser role will provide an opportunity for someone to use their fundraising experience and networks to unlock new income and help the Matthew fulfil its potential.

Find out more here: https://matthew.co.uk/volunteer-trustee-positions

The deadline for applications is midnight on 15th November.

📷: Ben Wookey

National Historic Ships UK

18/09/2026

☀️ We've enjoyed a glorious summer of trips in the sun this year, but sadly The Matthew’s 2026 sailing season will be coming to a close in a few weeks – don't worry, though, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy a trip on the water!

⛵ Three new Harbour Trip dates have just been added for the October half term, alongside the last few trips of the season.

🥳 So, whether you're looking for a family activity during the school holidays, or a final chance to enjoy a Fish & Chips Trip or an Avon Gorge Cruise this year, there's still time to fit in a trip before The Matthew heads into winter maintenance!

🎟️ Get your tickets direct from The Matthew website: https://matthew.co.uk/book-tickets

📷: Felix Workman

16/09/2026

Have you joined us on an Avon Gorge Cruise this summer?

If not, why not?!

You still have the chance to head out onto the river on board The Matthew before the end of our sailing season in October!

Available dates:
Saturday 19 September
Sunday 20 September
Sunday 4 October

🎫Tickets are on sale now and available only from our website: https://matthew.co.uk/book-tickets

We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

10/09/2026

This morning our Chairman and Treasurer Richard Sandwell spoke to Joe Sims about the impact on us of the heat restrictions on the Plimsoll Bridge.

If you'd like to take a listen you can tune in around 2hr 10 mins into the show here:

A proper Bristol breakfast, waking you up with a smile every morning.

28/08/2026

The Matthew crew is saddened to share that Colin Coombs, a key member of our volunteer crew and a trustee of The Matthew of Bristol for many years, has passed away after a short illness.

Colin will be remembered fondly for his passion for, and devotion to, The Matthew. He loved to share his extensive knowledge of the ship and it's history with our visitors and passengers, not forgetting the many school trips he has led over the years, regaling the children and their teachers with his pirate tales and insights into Tudor navigation and exploration.

Rick Wakeham, captain of The Matthew: "Colin's weird and wonderful ways will be sorely missed by all at The Matthew. He was one of the good guys."

Richard Sandwell, chairman of The Matthew of Bristol Trust: "In many ways he was a true 'fixture' in the operation of the ship over many years as a volunteer and a trustee, and a real asset to everyone connected with The Matthew. A loss to us and all who knew him."

Rest in peace, Colin. You will be missed.