HMS Belfast

  • (020) 7940 6300
  • (020) 7403 0719
  • The Queen's Walk, SE1 (map of this place)
  • 1 March - 31 October: 10.00 am - 6.00 pm (last admission 5.15 pm); 1 November - 28 February: 10.00 am - 5.00 pm (last admission 4.15 pm); closed 24, 25, 26 December.

HMS Belfast
HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge. (Photo by DrHyde)

HMS Belfast is a cruiser, launched in March 1938 but now permanently moored on the Thames just along from Hay's Galleria, between London Bridge and Tower Bridge on the south side of the river. It is officially part of the [Imperial War Museum]?.

Looks very impressive from the shore (if you like that sort of thing) but the closer you get the tattier it looks. Recently it got towed off down the Thames for a new paint job. Some local residents would have preferred it to have stayed away.

I was recently on a river bus from Westminster to London Bridge, and all the passengers and I were startled by the Belfast firing one of its deck guns (blanks, of course). Loud! -- Earle

Last edited 2003-12-10 09:35:04 (version 8; diff). List all versions.