✕ ✕
Turning tips into memories
Login
Signup

You have reached the limit of free articles.


To enjoy unlimited access to Culture Whisper plus a pair of free tickets to a London event sign up for FREE.
Find out more about Culture Whisper


Sign up by Email or Facebook.

Please fix the following input errors:

  • dummy

Each week, we sent newsletters and communication featuring articles, our latest tickets invitations, and exclusive offers.

Occasional information about discounts, special offers and promotions.


OR
LOG IN

OR
  • LOG IN WITH FACEBOOK

Thanks for signing up to Culture Whisper.
Please check your inbox for a confirmation email and click the link to verify your account.



EXPLORE CULTURE WHISPER
✕ ✕
Turning tips into memories
Login
Signup

Please fix the following input errors:

  • dummy
Forgot your username or password?
Don't have an account? Sign Up

OR
  • LOG IN WITH FACEBOOK

If you click «Log in with Facebook» and are not a Culture Whisper user, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and to our Privacy Policy, which includes our Cookie Use

Turning tips into memories

Get started Login
  • Home
  • Going Out
    • Things to do
    • Food & Drink
    • Theatre
    • Visual Arts
    • Cinema
    • Kids
    • Festival
    • Gigs
    • Dance
    • Classical Music
    • Opera
    • Immersive
    • Talks
  • Staying In
    • TV
    • Books
    • Cook
    • Podcast
    • Design
    • Netflix
  • Life & Style
    • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Gifting
    • Wellbeing
    • Lifestyle
    • Shopping
    • Jewellery
  • Explore
  • About us
  • Tickets
  • Membership
  • Get Started
  • Membership
  • Tickets
Get our exclusive content
+ choose a pair of free tickets from our edit of favourite events
Kids

HMS Belfast

01 Dec 15 – 31 Mar 16, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Step into the past and discover life onboard a warship through the ages at HMS Belfast, one of the best museums for children

By Helena Kealey on 15/1/2016

HMS Belfast, London
HMS Belfast, London
HMS Belfast HMS Belfast Helena Kealey
Normally, when London's museums offer visitors insights into other worlds and histories, they do it with pictures and posters or reconstructions. They're doing their best, you know. But it's not quite the same as stepping into a life-sized time-capsule and becoming immersed in the remains of the past as though they were still in use. Such an experience would be rare and special, but it can be found in London's HMS Belfast.

HMS Belfast was originally a Royal Navy light cruiser in operation from the Second World War right up until 1963 when it was finally retired from Her Majesty's Navy and bought by Imperial War Museum. It's located on the river Thames, between London Bridge and Tower Bridge with views over the Tower of London (which is something of an experience itself - especially for first time visitors to London).

Below board, nine decks have been restored and brought back to apparently functional life; complete with sailors and military men of all kinds apparently cracking on with their work.

The history of HMS Belfast is unique: having been designed for the protection of trade and offensive action she was involved in patrolling the northern waters in efforts to impose a maritime blockade on Germany, hit by a magnetic mine and on rejoining the feel in 1942 was the largest and most powerful cruiser in the Royal Navy and equipped with the most advanced radar systems. She sank the German battle cruiser Scharnhorst during the Battle of Noth Cape and remained protecting the arctic convoys until 1944 when she spent five weeks supporting the D-Day landings.

All this history - right up to her role in the Korean War - can be drunk up in detail by families wondering around with headsets or, best of all, just by getting hopelessly lost in the endless cabins and decks, from the gun rooms to officers quarters to kitchens and sick bays.

A real treat for children with an interest in military history that will make them feel as though they've somehow lived life as a naval commander during the Second World War.


click for more kids
recommendations


What HMS Belfast
Where HMS Belfast, ​The Queen's Walk, London , SE1 2JH​ | MAP
Nearest tube London Bridge (underground)
When 01 Dec 15 – 31 Mar 16, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price £8-£16
Website Click here for more information and to book

You might also like
Free for Members
NERA, first 3D-printed motorbike from German additive manufacturer BigRep, through its innovation arm NOWLAB.
Free pairs of tickets available
07 Dec 19 - 14 Dec 19

Beazley Designs of the Year

All booked Members only

Most popular

UK Disneyland? Paramount Theme Park, Kent. Photo: Paramount
Everything you need to know about UK Disneyland, Kent's London Resort
Ring in 2020: London's Best New Year's Eve Parties
Ring in 2020: London's Best New Year’s Eve parties to book early
Things to do in London this weekend: 6 – 8 December
Things to do in London this weekend: 6 – 8 December

Editor's Picks:


  • BEST MUSEUMS FOR CHILDREN

    Families: make the most of London's wonderful museums


HMS Belfast

Best Museums for Children

You might like

  • Imperial War Museum: Kids days out in London

    Imperial War Museum

  • Churchill War Rooms, tickets available all year round

    Churchill War Rooms

  • The museum's famous Diplodocus skeleton cast

    The Natural History Museum

  • Sherlock Holmes Museum London

    Sherlock Holmes Museum

  • The Culture Whisper team
  • What is Culture Whisper membership
  • Corporate membership
  • Give a gift membership
  • Retrieve a gift membership
  • Contact us
  • Press
  • FAQ
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cookies
  • Discover
  • Venues
  • Restaurants
  • Stations
  • Boroughs

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY
TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY CULTURE WHISPER

You’ve clicked to view the best of our content that we
save exclusively for our members.

If you liked what you saw, subscribe from just £15 and get
unlimited access to our unique culture service as well as
all of our membership benefits.

BECOME A MEMBER ×

Want a pair of free tickets every month?
Upgrade to Gold Whisper now
and save 10% with GOLD10.
Become a premium member today.

UPGRADE NOW ×