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
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, London SE1 2JH, UK
Phone: 020 7940 6300
Official Website: HMS Belfast
HMS Belfast Reviews
Rated out of 5
Super cool experience if you have never been on a naval vessel. We only got about 1.5 hours there before they close at 5pm on Sunday. It’s a bit of a rush but if you budget 2.5 hours it would be more than adequate. Lots of cool places to visit inside including the engine and boiler room along with kitchen, sick bay and other areas.
Joe C - a week ago
Amazing piece of British Naval history. A lot to see, you need to comfortable in tightly confined places and going up steep ladders etc as a tip - which is fine for most. There is a cafe on board as well as toilets. A couple of interactive things but not really one for the young kiddies.
Sam - 2 weeks ago
Very detailed and informative museum with particular highlights being the engine room and the turrets. The ship is well-preserved and there is plenty for warship buffs to enjoy.
Take advantage of the numerous talks and guided tours on offer from the friendly and knowledgeable guides.
Tickets are a bit pricey though! Only negative of an otherwise great visit.
Aidan Gilbert - a month ago
HMS Belfast is a fascinating museum ship on the River Thames, offering a unique glimpse into life aboard a World War II-era warship. Exploring its nine decks, you can get a real sense of what it was like for the crew, from the engine rooms to the captain’s bridge. The interactive exhibits and detailed displays make it engaging for visitors of all ages, especially those interested in naval history. The views of Tower Bridge and the surrounding area from the ship are an added bonus. It’s a must-visit for history buffs and anyone looking to experience a piece of Britain’s maritime heritage up close!
ARMAN Rez - 2 months ago
An amazing ship with a brilliant story. You really get a feel for what a battleship is like, although I still cannot imagine 1000 people on board!
Beware there are some steep and challenging stairs. So make sure are reasonably mobile if you want to make the most of it.
Tim Cuell - a month ago
Directions
| Tube Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Northern and Jubilee Line | London Bridge | 5 minutes |
| District and Circle Line | Tower Hill | 16 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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Accommodations near HMS Belfast:
Photo Gallery
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View from the Captains Chair of the HMS Belfast cc licensed photo by Les Chatfield -
Steep stairs leading to the lower deck cc licensed photo by Sven -
HMS Belfast Torpedo cc licensed photo by Andrew Gray -
The ship's resident cat relaxing in its own hammock cc licensed photo by Aurélie -
Photo Credit: Croydon Clicker - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: ccs89.euro - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Brian Brandsberg Berg - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Loz Flowers - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: www.mgaylard.co.uk and thanks for looking - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: usf1fan2 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: David Blaikie - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: David Blaikie - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: David Blaikie - cc license via Flickr
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