Families at HMS Belfast

There's plenty of fun to be had at HMS Belfast. Enjoy free family activities every weekend and every day during school holidays!

Be sure to also look out for our We Were There Family Days which offer a unique opportunity to meet IWM’s veterans and eyewitnesses of conflict. 

Try our interactive experience and see if you can follow the Captain’s orders to steer HMS Belfast to its destination in time for D-Day, 6 June 1944.

Take the helm of this iconic ship and grab a photo as the Captain of HMS Belfast!

Our multimedia guides also include a family-friendly setting to keep the whole family entertained. With interactive activities, learn about the ship and what it was like to live and work on board.

With new activities throughout the year, our activity trail guides are the perfect way for families to explore the ship. 

Find lost clues, fill out nautical-inspired puzzles, and learn more about life at sea. 

Everyone is welcome at HMS Belfast and under 5s get in for free. There is a minimum height restriction of 4ft for our engine rooms, however, there is still plenty more to explore.

Buggies are only allowed on the main deck of the ship, but can be left on the Quarter Deck when you first step on board if you wish to explore inside. Baby change facilities are available.

To get the most out of your visit we recommend you spend at least three hours for your visit - the ship has nine decks with plenty to explore.

See our Ticket Prices page for a full list of prices and to pre-book your visit to HMS Belfast.

Join IWM with a family membership and you'll get unlimited free entry to all of our charging sites.

HMS Belfast is moored on the River Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. It is easily accessible via public transport. 

See our how to get here page for more information.

Due to the nature of the ship access to some of the Upper Decks and Lower Decks is not possible for wheelchair users, and unsuitable for persons with restricted mobility. 

Modifications have been made to the Main Deck, the Quarterdeck, Boat Deck and Stokers' Café to make them accessible to wheelchair users, and parents with prams, pushchairs, and strollers. 

See our accessibility page for more information.

It’s a good idea to wear comfy shoes. As you need to climb ladders, we also recommended wearing shorts or trousers rather than skirts or dresses.

On a chilly day, it's best to bring layers so you can easily adjust to the temperature as it can be cold below deck!

If you get hungry whilst on the ship, refuel in the Stokers' Café for lunch which serves a wide selection of freshly made sandwiches, soups, cakes and hot drinks. Please note, IWM cafés are cashless, and therefore will not take cash as payment. Water fountains are also located around the ship.

There are also areas to sit and enjoy packed lunches around the ship. 

There are two sets of toilets, one to the front of the ship and one to the back. There are also toilets in the ticket office on the quayside. Baby change facilities are available. 

Assistance dogs are permitted on site. Owing to the nature of our sites, if you have multiple assistance dogs within your group please contact us via 020 7091 3067 or contact us to let us know in advance of your visit.

For other assistance animals please contact us via 020 7091 3067 or contact us in advance of your visit so we can make this assessment in preparation of your visit. Otherwise, you may be required to wait while an assessment is made.