M Shed - a new £27m waterfront heritage museum housed in the iconic 1950s transit sheds - has opened its doors to the public at Bristol's Prince's Wharf today (17 June).

Funded by Bristol City Council (BCC), the attraction has also received a £11.6m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and will be at the hub of the city's new cultural quarter. LAB Architecture Studio and BAM Construction worked on the creation of M Shed, which features 3,000 exhibits from the city's collection and will explore the history of Bristol.

The museum incorporates three permanent galleries and a temporary exhibition space, plus a glazed rooftop extension offering views across the harbour, workshops and a train shed. Items on show include models and props from Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were Rabbit and a spray-painted pink record desk used by Bristol band Massive Attack.

Bristol Museums and Archives head Julie Finch said: "[M Shed] builds on Bristol's great heritage to bring experts and the community together in the joint endeavour of building a new narrative for the city." BCC deputy leader Simon Cook and cabinet member for Bristol's capital programme, sports and culture added: "M Shed is a fitting tribute to all the people who have helped shape the city's history."