Various dates

10.15am and 2.15pm | Tours last 90 minutes

HMS Belfast

Tour begins on the Quarterdeck

Adults

Standard £36.35 | Members £10

Includes admission to HMS Belfast

The Story of HMS Belfast in the Second World War

 A reconstruction of the engagement with the Scharnhorst in the Arctic, with the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Belfast in the foreground. Belfast is shown starboard side on, with the Scharnhorst visible in the far distance illuminated by a star shell fired by the British cruiser. A splash in the water shows that Belfast is under German fire.
© John Hamilton's estate
HMS Belfast engages the German Battleship Scharnhorst during the Battle of the North Cape on 26 December 1943. Painting by John Hamilton.

Led by IWM’s expert guides, discover the story of HMS Belfast and its crew through the Second World War, 80 years after it ended.

First commissioned into the Royal Navy just days before the outbreak of war, HMS Belfast played a significant role escorting convoys through freezing waters of the Arctic, and in both the Battle of North Cape and D-Day landings, where the ship was amongst the first to open fire on German shore defences. 

Following victory in Europe, HMS Belfast was sent to East Asia to take up the war against Japan, however as the ship approached the western coast of Australia, Japan announced its surrender, bringing the Second World War to an end.

Told through the oral histories of HMS Belfast's crew, the tour will take you chronologically through the ship’s Second World War story.

This tour deals with mature themes and is recommended for over 16s only.

Access Information

This tour explores lower and upper decks accessible by vertical ladder only. Unfortunately, it is impossible for wheelchair users and may not be suitable for those with restricted mobility.

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