For years, I admired HMS Belfast from the banks of the River Thames and always told myself, “One day, I’ll go on that ship.”
This summer, I finally did, and it turned out to be one of my favourite London attractions so far.
In this HMS Belfast London review, I’m sharing what it’s really like to explore this historic warship, what surprised me most, how much time I recommend allowing and what you should know before visiting.
Moored on the Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast is difficult to miss. But seeing it from the riverbank is nothing compared with actually stepping aboard and discovering just how much is hidden inside.
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Is HMS Belfast Worth Visiting?
For me, absolutely.
I expected HMS Belfast to be interesting, but I hadn’t realised how immersive the experience would be.
Rather than walking around a conventional museum looking at objects behind glass, you’re exploring an actual Royal Navy warship. You climb between decks, walk through narrow passageways and discover the spaces where hundreds of sailors once lived and worked.
It made the history feel much more real.
Why Visit HMS Belfast?
HMS Belfast is part of Imperial War Museums and gives you a fascinating look at life aboard a Royal Navy warship during the 20th century.
The ship played an important role during the Second World War, including supporting the D-Day landings in June 1944, and later served during the Korean War.
Today, you can explore the ship while discovering stories of the people who lived and worked aboard her.
One fact that really puts the scale into perspective: around 950 people once served aboard HMS Belfast.
What to Expect On Board HMS Belfast
This is definitely not your typical museum.
One of the things I enjoyed most was simply exploring.
You can make your way through different levels of the ship and see everything from the crew’s living quarters to the Operations Room and the bridge.
There are ladders, narrow passageways and plenty of corners to investigate, which makes the experience feel like a genuine adventure rather than a traditional museum visit.
Throughout the ship, you’ll also find personal stories, recordings and displays explaining what life was like for the people who served aboard.
That was one of my favourite parts.
HMS Belfast is enormous, but the individual stories make the history feel surprisingly personal.
Don’t Miss the HMS Belfast Cat and Mouse Hunt
One of the most amusing parts of my visit, and possibly one of the reasons I spent so long exploring, was the cat and mouse hunt.
Throughout the ship, you can spot tiny models of cats and mice hidden around the different areas.
Of course, once you start looking for them, you want to find them all.
It’s a fun detail for children, but honestly, I enjoyed it too. It encourages you to explore areas you might otherwise walk straight past.
A Few HMS Belfast Facts
HMS Belfast was launched on St Patrick’s Day in 1938 and went on to serve for 25 years.
During D-Day on 6 June 1944, she was part of the naval bombardment supporting the Allied landings in Normandy.
The scale of the ship is also extraordinary. Imperial War Museums describes HMS Belfast as large enough that you could almost lay Big Ben across her deck twice.
And then there were the people: around 950 sailors lived and worked aboard the ship.
Knowing this while walking through the living and working spaces gives you a very different sense of what life aboard must have been like.
How Long Do You Need at HMS Belfast?
I’d allow at least three hours.
There is much more to see than you might expect from the outside, particularly if you enjoy stopping to read the displays, listening to the stories and exploring all the different spaces.
Imperial War Museums also currently recommends allowing at least three hours for a visit.
If you’re someone like me who enjoys discovering all the little details, including those hidden cats and mice, don’t rush it.
HMS Belfast Tickets
You can buy standard admission directly from Imperial War Museums. Adult tickets currently start from £23.45, although prices can change, so I recommend checking the latest price when planning your visit.
If you’d prefer an experience that combines HMS Belfast admission with additional sightseeing, GetYourGuide also currently offers an HMS Belfast Ticket & Southbank Highlights Audio Tour.
This is a separate third-party experience rather than the standard IWM ticket.
It currently includes HMS Belfast admission plus a self-guided South Bank audio tour.
Planning Your Visit to HMS Belfast
Location: The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2JH
Nearest station: London Bridge
Opening hours: Currently 10:00–18:00, with last entry at 17:00
Time needed: Allow at least 3 hours
Tickets: Booking ahead is recommended
Good to know: Exploring the ship involves narrow spaces and ladders, so comfortable shoes are a very good idea.
Nearest station: London Bridge
Opening hours: Currently 10:00–18:00, with last entry at 17:00
Time needed: Allow at least 3 hours
Tickets: Booking ahead is recommended
Good to know: Exploring the ship involves narrow spaces and ladders, so comfortable shoes are a very good idea.
Always check the official HMS Belfast website before travelling in case opening hours or visitor information have changed.
My Verdict: Should You Visit HMS Belfast?
Yes, and I wish I’d gone aboard sooner.
For years, HMS Belfast was simply that enormous grey ship I passed on the Thames.
Exploring inside completely changed my perspective.
What surprised me most was how immersive it felt. Between the narrow passageways, working spaces, personal stories and little details such as the cat and mouse hunt, it became much more than simply learning about a historic ship.
If you enjoy London history, unusual museums or attractions where you can really explore, I’d happily recommend setting aside an afternoon for HMS Belfast.
For another history-focused London experience, read my British Museum 90-minute tour review. If you’re exploring more of London’s culture, you can also discover my Hayward Gallery London review.
