HMS Belfast

A visit to the HMS Belfast will open your eyes to the difficult conditions faced by the brave men who served on her decks during the war

View of the HMS Belfast with the Tower of London and Tower Bridge in the background
View of the HMS Belfast with the Tower of London and Tower Bridge in the background cc licensed photo by Ed Webster

One of the London's magnificent attractions today is the HMS Belfast. This beautiful majestic ship played such an important role in protecting and winning the war at sea during WW2. It also served in the Korean war during the 1950s. After covering over 500,000 nautical miles it retired to its current location on the River Thames in 1971 where it is now one of the Imperial War Museums.

The HMS was completed May 1936 and after just two months at sea she endured substantial injuries when accidentally striking a magnetic mine. The damage to the ship's lower bowel was so severe that discussions were made as to whether or not the ship should be fixed or demolished. After the decision was made to repair her it took three years to complete. During those three years there were major advancements in technology. Radar with an electronic eye was at that time implemented giving the HMS Belfast an edge that proved to be an extremely useful addition. This provided state of the art technology and it proved to be an advantageous tool for the crew on the ship during the war.

Imagine the feeling of being in very close encounters as the crew of nearly 1000 men had to eat, work and sleep in the same space. The beds consisted of hammocks made from canvas and one of the first skills everyone working on board had to learn was how to mount them without them folding up on them. They were tightly spaced about one foot apart from each other making for extremely close sleeping quarters.

When viewing this grand old war ship you will have a great time exploring the nine decks, climbing up and down ladders adventuring through the core of the inner battle ship. Book a private tour or enjoy an audio tour guide available in four languages that is free for anyone visiting. The languages are English, French, German, and Spanish. Hear many interesting stories of historical events and unbearable conditions that the crew had to endure. For those who chose there is also a family audio guide.

Test your skills at piloting the ship in the interactive operations room, stroll by rooms such as the bakery, the dentist's office the utilities room plus the medical room. Experience the sobering and chilling sensation of war in a simulation of battle of north Cape in the gun turret.

Overall expect to take a minimum of one and a half hours to explore the ship and exhibits, however you may want to allow considerably more time as there are so many other things to see and do including the HMS Belfast gift shop, the cafe downstairs or the rooftop bar and cafe where you can enjoy a meal while taking in the beautiful views.

There are many other impressive landmarks in the area, with the Tower Bridge, Tower of London, and The Shard being particularly close, making them good candidates for visiting on the same day.



Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes. Visit official website for details.

HMS Belfast Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Address: The Queen's Walk, Tooley St, London SE1 2JH, UK

Phone: 020 7940 6300

Official Website: HMS Belfast

HMS Belfast Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating A fascinating visitor experience, which I wasn’t expecting. We followed the suggested route around the ship, which took us a good few hours, but there was so much to see. Plenty to see and lots of information and videos to explain the history and workings of the ship, as well as life on board. Be aware there are a lot of ladders to climb and places you can knock yourself, so be prepared to take time moving around carefully. Surprisingly, modern toilets and cafe, while the ship is accessed through the gift shop. I recommend a visit if you get the chance.
Andrew B - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating HMS Belfast was a fascinating experience, especially for someone like me who knew very little about naval warfare. Visiting the ship gave me a completely new perspective on life at sea during wartime. Walking through the different decks, you can see how the crew lived, worked and fought, from the engine rooms and kitchens to the gun turrets and command bridge. It really helps you understand how a naval warship was designed and how it operated during WWII. The ship is well preserved, easy to explore and full of interesting details. Even if you’re not particularly interested in naval history, it’s a unique and engaging experience that I would highly recommend.
Radu Botnari - a month ago

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5 Star Rating Highlights * Easy to reach from London Bridge * Perfect location on the Thames * Extremely well maintained for a historic warship * Huge amount to see and explore * Rich history throughout the ship * Fantastic views of London and the river * Mind your head and feet – plenty of hard surfaces, ladders and low doorways * Café is adequate but nothing particularly memorable * Some areas show their age, which is to be expected on a vessel of this vintage Review ★★★★★ HMS Belfast is an outstanding attraction and one of the best historic ships I have visited. Located just a short walk from London Bridge, it is perfectly positioned on the Thames with spectacular views of the London skyline throughout the visit. The ship itself is remarkably well maintained and offers an enormous amount to see. From the engine rooms and mess decks to the gun turrets and command spaces, there is history around every corner. The exhibits do an excellent job of bringing the experiences of those who served aboard to life, and it is easy to spend several hours exploring the vessel. A word of caution: this is a real warship, not a purpose-built museum. There are plenty of ladders, low doorways, bulkheads and hard surfaces to bump into, so visitors should take care as they move around the ship. The café is serviceable enough, but not really a highlight of the experience. Some areas of the ship also show signs of age and wear, though that is entirely understandable given the vessel’s history and actually adds to the sense of authenticity. Overall, HMS Belfast offers a fascinating insight into Britain’s naval history, incredible views across London, and a thoroughly immersive experience. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in history, engineering or military heritage.
MilPoPo - 3 months ago

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5 Star Rating Upon first glance of seeing this ship, it can be quite tempting to pause for a moment to bask in its presence and snap a few shots for keepsake. You first walk into the ticketing area which is also the gift shop and are given an audio set piece to help narrate the self-guided tour. The entire ship is clean, well-maintained and well-lit. The view from the deck allows a clear of the surrounding London buildings. After the deck, my second favourite spot would be the captain's viewing seat. Definitely worth spending an afternoon here.
Shaquire Merican - a month ago

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5 Star Rating Spend a great few hours here. The museum is very well done and interesting throughout, informational videos are great especially the ones in the gun turrets. Well worth a visit and would highly recommend.
Scott C - a month ago

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Directions

Tube Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Northern and Jubilee LineLondon Bridge5 minutes
District and Circle LineTower Hill16 minutes

How to get to HMS Belfast by Tube

From London Bridge Station exit onto Tooley Street and go right (east) to Battlebridge Lane, left (north) to the Thames Path, then right to the entrance of the HMS Belfast.

From Tower Hill Station on the north bank exit to the south and follow Tower Hill Terrace east to the Tower Bridge approach. Cross the Bridge to the south towers, take the stairs down to the Thames Path and follow it west to the entrance.

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