To say that HMS Belfast is a unique tourist attraction in London is an understatement.
Today, I'd like to take you on a tour of this very special museum.
HMS Belfast: article summary
HMS Belfast: a brief history
HMS Belfast is a museum ship, originally a Royal Navy light cruiser, permanently moored in the Thames.
Construction of the ship began in December 1936. She played an important role in various operations during its use from 1939 to 1963.
In 1939, HMS Belfast took part in the British naval blockade against Germany, and in 1943, the ship helped escort Arctic convoys to what was then the Soviet Union in 1943.
The ship was finally withdrawn from service in 1963 and became a branch of theImperial War Museum in 1978.
What you can see during your visit
Thanks to the ship's many interactive and realistic installations, visitors can get a glimpse of what it would have been like to live, work and play on the ship. sleeping on the ship in wartime.
Not only can you explore the nine decks of HMS Belfast, but you can also visit the ship's many rooms such as :
- The laundry room
- The chapel
- Captain's bridge
- Mess bridges
- The infirmary
- The kitchen
There are interactive videos illustrating the day-to-day workings of the ship's crew, as well as mannequins of the ship's crew. wax uniforms in work and living areas.
HMS Belfast: a new artistic attraction
Recently, the ship launched an art attraction called The Tourists by renowned artist Hew Locke, for which Locke creates an "alternative history" of the crew to the ship's last international voyage to the Caribbean in 1962.
If you're lucky enough to visit this place, I recommend you take part in this attraction to discover life on the ship.
A few tips for your visit
Although the recommended tour time is around 90 minutes, if you want to explore the ship in its entirety, try to arrive early. to give yourself enough time to do it.
For the best views of London's nearby landmarks, there are some great spots on the main bridges that offer wonderful photo opportunities.
If you're planning to walk to the ship, try following the route from the Tower Bridge along the Embankment for a breathtaking view of the Tower of London and the cityscape.
That is, if you're prone to seasickness, try not to visit the ship in rainy or windy weather.
HMS Belfast: how to get there
To get there, you can take :
- Visit metro using the nearest stations, London Bridge or Tower Hill
- Visit train thanks to the station London Bridge
- One of the bus which takes you directly to the foot of the ship
You can also borrow a boat. Numerous boat excursions offer drop-off points at Tower Bridge Pier.
What are the opening hours?
HMS Belfast is open every day from :
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November 1ᵉʳ to February 28
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. February 29 to October 31
HMS Belfast: how much do tickets cost?
For the cost of admission tickets, please allow :
- 16 £ for adults
- 8 £ for children
Children under five can enter free of charge
Free audio guides are available for every visitor, in several different languages. If you wish, you can also buy an informative guide for £5 at the ticket office.
HMS Belfast is a great place to visit on your trip to London. You can discover an unusual museum floating on water.
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