HMS Belfast

HMS Belfast is a light cruiser that sits permanently on the River Thames near Tower Bridge, stretching 187 meters in length. The ship has nine decks containing original naval installations, crew quarters, and equipment spread throughout its interior.

The vessel was built in 1938 and saw action in major World War II battles including the Atlantic campaign and the Normandy landings. After the war it continued serving in the Royal Navy for decades before becoming a museum in 1971.

The ship displays how British sailors lived and worked during wartime, preserving memories of naval service. Walking through its corridors shows the daily routines and spaces shared by hundreds of crew members.

Access is available daily, with longer hours from March through October than during winter months. Visitors should be aware that reaching all nine decks involves physical effort and climbing steep stairs throughout the vessel.

The ship included a working bakery, dental surgery, and chapel to support the daily needs of 950 crew members on extended missions. These specialized spaces reveal that a warship functioned as a complete floating community.

Location: London Borough of Southwark

Length: 187 m

Width: 21 m

Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access

Fee: Yes

Operator: Imperial War Museum

Address: Morgans Lane, Tooley Street, London SE1 2JH

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00; December 24-26 off

Phone: +442079406300

Website: https://iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast

GPS coordinates: 51.50667,-0.08139

Latest update: December 14, 2025 06:19