Best for
Naval and military history fans, families with older children
Time needed
1.5–2 hours
Worth it?
Yes — a rare chance to explore an intact WWII warship in detail
Skip if
You have mobility issues, as the ship involves steep ladders throughout
About HMS Belfast
Launched in 1938 and commissioned into the Royal Navy the following year, HMS Belfast served in the Arctic convoys protecting supply routes to the Soviet Union, played a leading role in the sinking of the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst in 1943, and fired some of the first Allied shells in support of the D-Day landings in June 1944. After later service in the Korean War, she was saved from the scrapyard and opened to the public in 1971, now run as part of the Imperial War Museum.
A visit means genuinely climbing through nine decks of a working warship — engine rooms and boiler rooms below the waterline, mess decks and galleys where the crew of over 950 lived, sick bay and punishment cells, all the way up to the bridge and the forward gun turrets, whose 6-inch guns could hit targets over 14 miles away.
Read the full storyShow less
Unlike a conventional museum, most of what you're walking through is the original 1930s and 40s machinery and fittings rather than reconstructions, which gives the ship a raw, unpolished authenticity — steep ladders, low headroom and narrow passageways included.
The ship's location, moored between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, also makes it one of the more striking free-to-view landmarks on the Thames even for those who don't go aboard.
What to See: Highlights
- 1Nine decks of an original, largely unrestored 1938 Royal Navy cruiser
- 2The engine and boiler rooms below the waterline
- 3The 6-inch gun turrets that fired on D-Day
- 4Crew mess decks, galley, sick bay and punishment cells
- 5The bridge, with views straight up the Thames toward Tower Bridge
- 6A striking free-to-view Thames landmark even without boarding
Skip the Queue — Book Tickets Online
Same admission, instant confirmation. Compare prices across platforms.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
Wear flat, sturdy shoes — the ladders between decks are steep and narrow
Budget at least 90 minutes to properly explore all nine decks
The ship is not fully wheelchair accessible due to ladders and narrow passageways
Combine with the Tower of London or Tower Bridge, both a short riverside walk away
A family trail and activity sheet are available for kids at the entrance
Book a Guided Tour
Get the most from your visit with a local expert guide.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Getting There
The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2JH
Open in Google Maps →- 1London Bridge (Jubilee, Northern lines, plus National Rail) — a 5-minute walk along the river.
Where to stay
Hotels in London
Compare prices across hundreds of hotels near this attraction — from budget hostels to luxury stays. Free cancellation on most rooms.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Powered by Booking.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
Is HMS Belfast worth visiting?+−
How long does a visit to HMS Belfast take?+−
Who is HMS Belfast best for?+−
Do I need to book tickets in advance for HMS Belfast?+−
Is HMS Belfast included with the London city pass?+−
Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You're interested in naval history or WWII more broadly
- You enjoy hands-on, explore-at-your-own-pace museum experiences
- You're already walking the South Bank near Tower Bridge
- You have older children who enjoy climbing through real machinery
Skip if...
- You have mobility issues — the ship has many steep, narrow ladders and no lift
- You're travelling with very young children who may struggle with the ladders
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in London
Imperial War Museum London
A free, unflinching museum covering conflict from World War I to today, housed in the former Bethlem Royal Hospital ('Bedlam') behind two genuine 15-inch naval guns.
Tower of London
A nearly 1,000-year-old fortress on the Thames holding the Crown Jewels, the White Tower's medieval armouries, and a history of executions, imprisonments and royal intrigue.
Tower Bridge
London's iconic Victorian bascule bridge, free to cross on foot, with a paid glass-floor walkway 42 metres above the Thames and Victorian engine rooms below.