HMS Belfast

HMS Belfast was launched in 1938 and served with distinction in both the Second World War and the Korean War. She is now the only surviving example of the great fleets of big gun armoured warships built for the Royal Navy in the first half of the twentieth century. She was built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast (builders of RMS Titanic), and was launched on St Patrick's Day, 17 March 1938, by Mrs Neville Chamberlain, wife of the then Prime Minister.

On 5 August 1939 HMS Belfast was commissioned into the Royal Navy and just a month later she was at war. On 21 November 1939, whilst leaving the Firth of Forth, HMS Belfast was severely damaged by a German magnetic mine, the damage was so severe that it was almost three years before she was fit for action again. She continued to serve in active military engagements until 1952, including participation in the destruction of the battle cruiser Scharnhorst the Normandy Landings and the Korean War. She remained in service until 1965. In May 1971, after 32 years service, HMS Belfast was 'Reduced to Disposal', in preparation for her sale and destruction by the ship's breakers. With the encouragement of the Imperial War Museum, an independent trust was formed, led by one of HMS Belfast's former captains, Rear-Admiral Sir Morgan Morgan Giles. The trust succeeded in bringing her to London where she opened to visitors on Trafalgar Day, 21 October 1971. She has been a popular London Thames attraction ever since. HMS Belfast has been part of the Imperial War Museum since 1978 and is the first ship to be preserved for the nation since Nelson's Victory.

Today London visitors can explore her nine decks including the massive boiler and engine rooms, operate the anti-aircraft guns and experience what life was like for those on board. An audio guide is available for visitors in four different languages.

HMS Belfast is moored on the River Thames, between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. The nearest tube is London Bridge Station.