HMS Belfast - 50 Years on the River Thames

 

HMS Belfast in the Pool of London, 14 October 1971. ‘I saw the Belfast when she was being towed into the Pool of London. I thought at that time, a very big part of my life has come back again.' Ron Yardley, HMS Belfast (Korean War, 1950-52) HMS Belfast is the most significant surviving Second World War Royal Navy warship and 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of her mooring on the River Thames. She is now a famous London landmark and open to visit.  On 21 October 1971, 50 years ago today, HMS Belfast was opened to the public as a museum. She had spent 25 years in active service – from the Arctic Convoys, through D-Day, the Cold War, the Korean War and beyond.  Today, you can come on board and explore all nine decks of history for yourself – from the Engine Rooms in the bowels of the ship right up to the Flag Deck at the very top. Discover what life was like for the 950-strong crew with refreshed displays and exhibition spaces, crew members’ stories, and new multi-sensory and interactive experiences.    © IWM   HMS BELFAST COBI BRICK SET The perfect gift for the entry level or enthusiast builder – construct HMS Belfast at home.  This official IWM COBI construction block model is covered with high-quality prints replicating equipment, and has moving on-board guns, rotating artillery towers, rudders and propellers – all capturing the details of this iconic warship.    BROWSE SHOP       HMS Belfast was launched on St Patrick's Day 1938. Between 1942 and 1944, the ship played a crucial role in support of the Arctic convoys, most notably at the Battle of North Cape which resulted in the sinking of the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst. Today, you can explore the Arctic Messdeck, and learn about the freezing conditions of the Arctic Circle.  On 6 June 1944, HMS Belfast supported the D-Day landings - the largest amphibious invasion in history - even firing some of the first shots. She then spent five weeks helping ground troops land on the beaches of Normandy as part of Operation Neptune.  You can now step inside one of the 6-inch gun turrets, in the brand-new D-Day Experience to discover an immersive sound installation depicting 05.27, 6 June 1944, when HMS Belfast first opened fire on D-Day. Then, try our new interactive experience and see if you can steer HMS Belfast to her destination in time for D-Day at the Lower Steering Position.  Between 1950 and 1952, HMS Belfast played an active role in the Korean War. She spent more than 400 days on patrol, firing more shells than she did in the whole of the Second World War. On board, hear from Surgeon Lieutenant Tony Rowan, who treated patients in the Sick Bay during this period.  HMS Belfast’s final years were spent performing peace-keeping duties until she was retired from service in 1963. She was eventually saved from the scrapyard and is now conserved by Imperial War Museums for future generations.  Climb on board London’s Warship Experience today. Book your visit and discover more about this iconic warship and her 83-year history.   © IWM   IWM MEMBERSHIP As an IWM member, get free entry to HMS Belfast all year round. Then continue the Second World War story with unlimited free entry to Churchill War Rooms and IWM Duxford too.  IWM members help preserve our historically important sites, including HMS Belfast, for generations to come. Join today from just £5 a month. FIND OUT MORE

HMS Belfast - Half price tickets to HMS Belfast next weekend

 

VISIT HMS BELFAST AND GET 50% OFF TICKETS BOOK NOW Half price tickets to London's Warship Experience! Celebrate the new World of Warship’s Command Center on board HMS Belfast with 50% off a limited number of tickets on Sunday 26 September. Sponsored by World of Warships, climb on board this iconic Second World War ship for half the price, explore all nine decks and visit the brand-new World of Warships fully equipped interactive gaming room. Tickets must be booked online in advance. Discounted tickets are limited, only available for visiting on Sunday 26 September and are allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Click here to book your tickets for Sunday 26 September.   © IWM   WORLD OF WARSHIPS: COMMAND CENTRE Take control of HMS Belfast in the new fully equipped interactive gaming room on board. Using a specially prepared build of the online naval action video game World of Warships, you can take the virtual helm of the very Royal Navy cruiser you are standing in and lead it into battle. FIND OUT MORE       WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SEE ON BOARD? D-DAY EXPERIENCE Enter one of the 6-inch gun turrets for an immersive sound experience, transporting you to 6 June 1944, as HMS Belfast's guns opened fire on the beaches of Normandy. STEER THE SHIP Try our new interactive experience and see if you can follow the Captain's orders to steer HMS Belfast to her destination in time for D-Day. FIGHTING FIT Discover the story of Korean War Surgeon Lieutenant Tony Rowan. Hear his own words, and find out why casualties were often brought specifically on board HMS Belfast to be treated. FEEDING THE CREW Find out what it took to feed nearly 1,000 sailors. Play our interactive games to see if you can handle the pressure in the kitchen. Peel the potatoes, fry the sausages, make the soups and mix the custard. CLICK TO SEE MORE OF WHAT'S HERE   © IWM   PLAY WORLD OF WARSHIPS AT HOME Continue the fun at home! Play World of Warships for free on PC using the code HMSBELFAST to gain access to exclusive content. Click to start playing. PLAY HERE

HMS Belfast - Land, Sea and Air

© IWM (IWM FLM 4015) HMS Belfast at anchor off the Normandy beachhead   'I REMEMBER FEELING SO SORRY FOR THOSE MEN ON THE LANDING CRAFT' HMS Belfast led the fleet responsible for supporting the British and Canadian assaults on Gold and Juno beaches. She first opened fire at 5.27am on 6 June 1944. The ship is sometimes misreported to have been the first to open fire on D-Day. She was in fact meant to fire the first shots of D-Day, but another ship stole her thunder by about a minute. Ted Cordery was Leading Seaman Torpedoman on board HMS Belfast when the Allies launched the invasion of France. He recounted watching landing craft pass the ship, knowing the dangerous task the troops they carried would face once they landed on the beaches. 'I remember feeling so sorry for those men on the landing craft, because they were loaded up with guns and material packs. Like the army do, they tend to load their men up. A lot of them were probably very sea sick, because the flat bottom boats were very bumpy. I was looking at them as we were passing and thinking, some of those men are probably having a terrible time now and when they’re dropped off they’ve got to start fighting! It’s asking a lot isn’t it.'   D-DAY 75 ON HMS BELFAST From 1 – 9 June we will retell the extraordinary land, air and sea story through our three historic sites. Come on board HMS Belfast and explore her D-Day history, through special collections items and activities.  BE THERE       HMS Belfast came under occasional fire from German artillery and dive-bombers, but was unscathed as it continued to bombard German positions. She was targeted by German aircraft once, but their bombing run missed. As one of the larger warships present at D-Day, HMS Belfast had a fully equipped sick bay staffed by surgeons. This meant it also played a medical role on 6 June 1944, beginning to take on board casualties from 1pm. HMS Belfast was almost continuously in action over the five weeks after D-Day, and fired thousands of rounds from her guns in support of Allied troops fighting their way inland. On 8 July 1944, she fired her last rounds of the war in European waters in support of heavy fighting for the city of Caen. Two days later the battle lines had moved beyond the range of HMS Belfast’s 6-inch guns, and she set sail for Plymouth Devonport for a refit. Get HMS Belfast's full D-Day story. Book your visit today.    BLOCK UNIVERSE 22-28 May, 2-6pm daily at IWM London.  Artist Alexandra Pirici presents the artwork Leaking Territories (2017). Bringing her ongoing action to London for the first time as part of Block Universe, London's leading international performance art festival. JOIN US THERE

New Escape Room Experience on HMS Belfast

Brand new to HMS Belfast this summer: Damage Control: An Escape Room Adventure You’ve hit a mine. This is not a drill. You’re plunged into darkness. Do you have what it takes to save HMS Belfast? Join us this summer for an immersive escape room challenge on board London’s iconic warship. Based on a real-life mission, hunt for clues and complete a series of damage control challenges as you race against the clock.   Bring your partner, your friends or the whole family and test your ability to work as a team and keep a cool head under pressure. Every day from 28 July - 9 September you can take part in this one-of-a-kind adventure on board HMS Belfast.

Book now

Also on HMS Belfast this Summer...

Ship Shape Saturdays All hands on deck! The whole family is invited to take part to help keep the iconic warship, HMS Belfast, in tip-top condition. Ship Shape Saturdays will be led by our expert conservator, where visitors can drop in and learn what it takes to preserve HMS Belfast.  Join us there

Meet Veterans and Eyewitnesses From life at the front line and being evacuated during the Second World War, to living through the Korean and Falklands Wars, our family-friendly sessions allow you to get an insight into conflict that you wouldn’t find in the history books. Hear their stories