With family activities, fun interactive displays, and stunning views of the Thames, HMS Belfast is an unforgettable family day out. There's plenty of fun to have on board with free family activities to enjoy every weekend, and every day during the school holidays! Find out more here.
Duck through hatches, climb ladders and explore all nine decks of this floating city and get up close to the inner workings of the ship.
We recommend allowing at least three hours for your visit, plus time to re-fuel in the ships’ café.
HMS Belfast is recommended for ages 5+.
Make the most of your family's visit by reading our top tips below.
Top Tips for visiting HMS Belfast
To get the most out of your visit we recommend that you leave at least three hours to see everything, though many people stay for half a day or more!
The tour takes you above and below deck, so don’t forget to pack your sun cream. If it’s raining there’s plenty of indoor areas to explore!
Everyone is welcome on board, but captains aged 5+ will enjoy it most. Under 5s come on board for free.
There is a minimum height restriction of 4ft for our engine rooms, however there is still plenty more to explore for smaller crew members!
Buggies are only allowed on the ship throughout '2' deck, and we would advise not to bring them at all if possible.
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.
There are also areas to sit and enjoy packed lunches around the ship.
There’s plenty of moments on board you’ll want to capture, from sitting in the Captain’s chair, steering the ship, to the unparalleled views of London from the upper decks.
Don’t forget to tag us when posting your pics online #HMSBelfast @I_W_M
Don't forget to pick up an audio guide at the entrance of the ship, and make sure that any young captains in your party grab our special Sea Legs trail guide!
It’s a good idea to wear comfy shoes - you’ll be climbing up and down ladders across nine decks.
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!
A visit to HMS Belfast is a fairly active day out - you will need to watch your step as you climb through doorways and up ladders.
And for older captains over six feet tall...watch your head when ducking through our hatches!
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.
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©IWMIWM family membership
Join IWM with a family membership and you'll get unlimited free entry to HMS Belfast for the whole crew.
Other benefits include unlimited free admission to IWM Duxford and Churchill War Rooms, as well as subscription to member e-news and much more!
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©IWMHome learning & resources
From spies to submarines and life on the Home Front, Imperial War Museums is bringing history into the homes of families across the world, sharing unique and personal stories from our extraordinary collections.
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Browse our shop
View our ranges of books, clothing, and great gifts inspired by the unique stories of those who served on board, and the adventures that the Royal Navy cruiser embarked on as a world-touring warship, from the Arctic Circle to East Asia.
