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HMS Belfast | Aboard the Royal Navy's pride

Embark on a captivating voyage aboard the HMS Belfast, a living relic of World War II and a prime example of a Royal Navy Warship. Permanently stationed on the River Thames in London since 1971, this historic vessel offers a unique glimpse into naval life during wartime. A visit to the HMS Belfast promises a fascinating journey through its decks and chambers, immersing you in the legacy and heritage of this iconic maritime landmark. Don't miss the chance to step back in time and discover the stories held within its steel walls.

Things to know before booking your tickets to HMS Belfast

HMS Belfast
  • Accessibility constraints: Certain parts of the experience may not be accessible for people with reduced mobility. Please refer to your tickets for additional information. 
  • Best time to visit: Plan your visit to HMS Belfast in October, November, March and September. 
  • Combo tours: Club your visit to HMS Belfast with other attractions such as Churchill’s War Rooms.

Why visit HMS Belfast?

HMS Belfast on Thames river
  • Historical significance: Prepare to be amazed by the globe-trotting history of the HMS Belfast during your visit! Be it firing shots during the war, sailing through freezing Arctic waters, or serving in the Korean War, HMS Belfast has done it all. 
  • Iconic landmark: Moored in Thames River since 1971, the HMS Belfast is an iconic London landmark that can simply not be missed! The warship is a slice of British history that has been beautifully preserved over the years. 
  • Fun family outing: With interactive displays, fun activities, and stunning views of the River Thames, HMS Belfast has something for everyone! From adults to children, the Royal Navy warship caters to all kinds of visitors. 
  • Real-life experience: Get a detailed and descriptive insight into life aboard the HMS Belfast, through the real-life experiences of the 950 people, who lived and served on the warship during its heyday. 

Which HMS Belfast ticket is best for you?

If you are travelling with kids

Go for: Admission tickets

Duration: 2-3 hours

Access to all rooms:Yes

Guide:* *Audio guide

  • Explore all the nine decks of HMS Belfast and participate in various fun activities.
  • An intuitive audio guide will add to the learning experience and is sure to keep kids interested.  

Recommended tours 

  • HMS Belfast Admission tickets

If you are a solo traveler

Go for:* *Group Tours

Duration:* *5 hours

Access to all rooms:* *Yes

Guide:* *Professional tour guide

  • Small group tours of 8-10 people provide a personalized and interactive experience, which allows you to gain an in-depth understanding of the attraction.
  • With an English-speaking professional tour guide accompanying you, you can learn about the history of the HMS Belfast and what life was like during times of war.

Recommended tours

  • HMS Belfast Admission tickets

Cancellation policy

You can cancel admission tickets to the HMS Belfast 48 hours before the experience begins to get a full refund. If you have chosen the semi-private walking tour, you will have to cancel your tickets 24 hours before the experience begins to get a full refund.

Discounted HMS Belfast Tickets 

Children under the age of 5 years enjoy free entry to HMS Belfast.

What to see at HMS Belfast?

All Nine Decks

Climb ladders and duck through hatches as you explore all the nine decks of HMS Belfast, including rooms such as the Boiler Room, Engine Room, and Flag Deck.

Eye Witness Accounts

Meet real-life war veterans and eyewitnesses who were aboard the HMS Belfast during times of conflict. Listen to their stories and anecdotes to get a detailed insight into life aboard a warship.

Captain’s Chair

Sit in the best seat-the Captain’s Chair, in the HMS Belfast and steer the warship to glory! Don’t forget to get a picture clicked as the Captain of HMS Belfast as well.

Interactive Gaming Room

Spend some time virtually steering the HMS Belfast in the brand new, fully equipped gaming room ‘World of Warships: Command Center’ inside the very warship you are standing in.

The Nerve Center

The Operations Rooms or the Nerve Centre of HMS Belfast has interactive plotting tables that you have to use to recover a downed plane from the sea off the coast of North Borneo. This game is based on a real-life exercise that was carried out by the warship in 1961.

Engine and Boiler Rooms

Located deep inside the heart of HMS Belfast are the Engine and Boiler rooms. You’ll be amazed to see the complicated large-scale machinery that was used to power HMS Belfast during the war.

D-Day Experience

Relive 6th June, 1944-the day HMS Belfast’s guns opened fire on the Normandy beaches, by stepping into one of the 6-inch gun turrets of the warship. The turret has a brand-new immersive sound installation that helps visitors experience what happened during the Second World War.

‘Serving the Seas’ Exhibition

Hear HMS Belfast veterans recount their memories aboard HMS Belfast in the ‘Serving the Seas’ Exhibition. You can also discover the intriguing journey of HMS Belfast through an interactive timeline in the exhibition.

Plan your visit to HMS Belfast

Timings of HMS Belfast

Open every day from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The last entry to HMS Belfast is at 5:00 PM.

Closed from 24th to 26th December.

Best time to visit:* *The best time to visit HMS Belfast is November, March, and September. These are the quietest months, and crowds won’t be a problem during this time. You can also plan your visit to the attraction in October. HMS Belfast does see a large number of visitors during this time, but the attraction is not overcrowded. Avoid visiting HMS Belfast in July and August. These months are the peak time for the attraction, and you will have to battle with large crowds, long queues, and long waiting times during these months.

Address: The Queen's Walk, London, Greater London, SE1 2JH. Find on maps.

Getting there:

  • By train: Thameslink, South East Train, and Southern Trains

      Nearest stop: London Bridge

  • By underground: Jubilee Line and Northern Lines 

Nearest stop: London Bridge

  • By bus: 47, 343 and 381

Nearest stop: Abbots Lane and Hays Galleria

  • By car: 31.2 km from London Heathrow Airport

Car parking: No car park at HMS Belfast, but there are many private car parks and metered parking bays in the area.

Entrance to HMS Belfast at Thames River

HMS Belfast is moored between the London Bridge and Tower Bridge. Walk through the Hay’s Galleria, towards the River Thames to reach the entrance of the warship.

Wheelchair accessiblilty on HMS Belfast
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Accessible bathrooms
  • Gift shop
  • Cafe 
  • Conference/meeting rooms 
  • Audible alarm system 
  • Assistance dogs are welcome
  • Talks and courses
  • Children’s events
  • Temporary exhibitions
  • Venue hire 
HMS Belfast tips
  • A visit to HMS Belfast includes a fair amount of climbing up and down ladders, ducking through hatches, etc. It's a good idea to wear comfortable shoes and clothes such as shorts and trousers, rather than dresses and skirts during your visit.
  • Children under the age of 5 years enjoy free entry to HMS Belfast. 
  • To visit the engine rooms, visitors have to be more than 4 ft in height. 
  • Since you will be walking to the upper and lower decks of the HMS Belfast, we recommend checking the weather before your visit. 
  • Carry sunscreens and umbrellas, since the British weather is a bit unpredictable on the day of your visit.
  • Photography is permitted in HMS Belfast. 
  • It’ll take you around three hours to fully explore HMS Belfast.
  • Plan your visit to HMS Belfast in November, March, or September for a hassle-free and crowd-free experience. 
Cafe near HMS Belfast
  • Stokers’ Café: Indulge in some delicious food at the newly-opened Stokers’ Café onboard the HMS Belfast. You can also enjoy your refreshments on the boat deck, in the cafe’s new outdoor seating area. 
  • Côte Hay’s Galleria: Enjoy regional specialties and some traditional classic dishes at Côte Hay’s Galleria, a modern all-day French brasserie. 
  • Itsu: If you are craving sushi, salads, and noodle dishes, then dine in or do a takeaway at Itsu. The popular restaurant is a Japanese counter-service and takeaway chain. 
  • Five Guys Tower Bridge: Bite into delicious burgers and hamburgers at the Five Guys outlet at Tower Bridge. The popular fast-food chain serves delicious made-to-order burgers, fries, and hot dogs.  
  • The Brigade Bar+Kitchen: Housed in a former fire station, The Brigade Bar+Kitchen serves modern European Bistro cuisine. With its sumptuous dishes, exposed bricks, and open kitchen, this restaurant is one of the best places to eat! 
Tower of London
  • Tower of London: Located 1 km away from HMS Belfast is the Tower of London. An iconic landmark and world heritage site, the Tower of London lets you get up close and personal with the Crown Jewels. 
  • London Eye: Located 3 km away from HMS Belfast, you can take a ride on the London Eye. The famous observation wheel gives you a bird’s eye view of some of the most well-known landmarks of London. 
  • Tower Bridge: The famous Tower Bridge of London is located only 400 m from HMS Belfast, and offers some of the most breathtaking panoramic views of London! 
  • St. Paul’s Cathedral: Located only 2 km from HMS Belfast, is the gorgeous St. Paul’s Cathedral. The vibrant church is a London icon and an unmissable attraction!
  • Big Ben: Located 3.7 km from HMS Belfast is another iconic London landmark Big Ben. Probably the most famous clock in the world, Big Ben is synonymous with the city of London. 
  • Tate Modern: Located 1.8 km from HMS Belfast, the Tate Modern is home to the UK’s national collection of British art, international art, and modern and contemporary art. 

Beyond HMS Belfast

Churchill’s War Rooms

Walk through the top-secret corridors of Churchill War Rooms, and get a firsthand experience of what life was like during the Second World War.

Westminster Abbey

The Westminster Abbey is the very heart of London. The abbey has been at the center of British politics, the government, and the British monarchy for the longest time.

Big Ben

The Big Ben is the most famous clock in the world! London is incomplete without the Big Ben, and the Big Ben is incomplete without London.

Houses of Parliament

Visit the House of Parliament,-the very center of British politics, after exploring the Royal Navy warship HMS Belfast.

Cenotaph

The Cenotaph is the national monument for the victims of the Second World War. If you want to pay tribute to British martyrs, this is the place to do it.

Frequently asked questions about HMS Belfast tickets

​Tickets for HMS Belfast start from £24.5. This primarily includes access to HMS Belfast. Prices for HMS Belfast may vary based on additional attractions such as Churchill’s War Rooms.