HMS Belfast

An impressively preserved World War II warship, the HMS Belfast served as a battleship throughout the war, supporting allied troops on D-Day and escorting arctic convoys to the Soviet Union, as well as later being brought back into service during the Korean War. Since retiring from action in 1971, the vessel has been moored on the South side of the Thames, where its relics have been turned into a division of the Capital’s Imperial War Museums, relaying the battle stories of those who served on board.

Visitors can explore the ship’s nine decks where the restored living and working quarters (including a sick bay and a dental surgery) and a series of interactive exhibits provide a full sensory experience of life on board during World War II. Climb the ladders between decks; walk in the footsteps of the ship’s 950-strong crew, discover the inner workings of the engine room and visit the interactive Operation room where you can experience the frantic coordination of a rescue mission using functioning radars, plotting tables and other equipment. There’s even the shockingly realistic Gun Turret Experience, where an atmospheric show of lights, smoke, vibrations and imagery aim to recreate the tense experience of warfare on board the ship.