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
I loved my visit to HMS Belfast. She was a cruiser during the second world war and took part in the Normsndy invasion. Its fascinating to see and explore. The staff are all excellent and very knowledgeable. There are various talks delivered by the staff throughout the ship at various times which were all very informative. The views down the Thames are also very nice. Well worth a visit.
ollie1984a - 3 weeks ago
An absolute must for anyone who is interested in historic warships. You get a very real sense of how this vessel might have felt when in service. It's a very relaxed visit where you can explore as you wish. The staff are very friendly knowledgeable. Fantastic views of the surrounding riverfront too
Douglas Killock - a week ago
Went Sunday and was amazing! Did go visit back in 2023 and missed so much. This time went earlier and with my Dad, brother. Such a beautiful ship and fascinating! Defintely worth a visit and Id even go again for the price and things to see! Managed to explore the Captains, Admirals Decks which I missed previously. The views and history were well worth the trip! My Dad and brother loved it 💜💜 Even had a bite to eat at the cafe which was well stocked with all sorts. Everyone was so helpful and an enjoyable trip in London!
JoViBi - a month ago
🚢 My Visit to HMS Belfast, London
Visiting HMS Belfast was an unforgettable experience and a deep dive into naval history. This historic Royal Navy warship, launched in 1938, played a crucial role in World War II and beyond, including the D-Day landings. Now permanently moored on the River Thames, it serves as a museum offering visitors a unique glimpse into life at sea.
Walking through the ship, I explored the gun turrets, engine rooms, crew quarters, and the bridge. The interactive exhibits and personal stories of sailors brought history to life, making it engaging for all ages. The views of Tower Bridge and the Thames from the deck were spectacular.
Visitor Tips: Book tickets online in advance to save time. Wear comfortable shoes, as there’s a lot of climbing between decks. Audio guides are included and provide excellent historical context.
How to Reach: HMS Belfast is located at The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2JH, right next to London Bridge Station (Northern and Jubilee lines) and within walking distance from Tower Bridge and the City of London.
Overall, HMS Belfast is a must-visit for history enthusiasts — a fascinating mix of military heritage, interactive exhibits, and panoramic city views.
Shanz Shanz - a month ago
What a wonderful piece of history to have access to! We booked to go into the ship in the afternoon with only an hour and half untill closing, we definitely will give ourselves much more time the next time we visit. There was so much to see when we go onto the ship! They've set it all up brilliantly, you really get a feel for what it was like to be aboard. I would highly recommend the ship to everyone 😁
Melissa Dale - 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: www.mgaylard.co.uk and thanks for looking - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: www.mgaylard.co.uk and thanks for looking - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: www.mgaylard.co.uk and thanks for looking - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: www.mgaylard.co.uk and thanks for looking - cc license via Flickr -
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: usf1fan2 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: David Blaikie - cc license via Flickr
