HMS Belfast Review (VERY picture heavy!)

I hope that in some way that this thread will help anyone, from near or far, who is considering visiting HMS Belfast and will begin by saying that if you are, you should consider it no more and instead just go! All in all, a very worthwhile visit that will take you between two and four hours (depending on your physical ability, and how much you want to absorb).

For disabled visitors, what you will see is wholly dependant on how physically able you are. Wheelchair users sadly cannot be accommodated. I will say that going round wiped me out for the best part of two days afterwards, but I consider it to have been worthwhile.

A view of the 'Walkie Talkie'
taken across the river


Tower Bridge

Tower of London in the distance





"This silver bell was presented by the citizens of Belfast, Northern Ireland on 22nd October 1948. The bell was handed back for safe keeping to the City of Belfast in November, 1962, prior to the ship paying off into reserve. It was returned to the ship by the Lord Mayor of Belfast on 21st October 1977."


A better view of the Tower of London


The Shard (and gift shop in foreground)


On we go.....


The laundry....




​

 

The laundry continues..










Woodworkers workshop


Electricians and small appliances workshop


The butchery


The bakery




Officers (posh) bunks




Worthy of note at this point - the effort made with some of the special effects such as sounds and even smells being piped into certain areas really added to the experience!


​

 

Officers bunks continued...


Kitchens








Then on into the bowels of the ship and the boiler rooms and engine rooms















​

 

Back up above the waterline, the dentist!



Shrapnel stuck? No problem....
Appendectomies while you wait too!






Feeling better? Off to the NAAFI it is then...


Model of the ship as she was after her refurb





Navigation equipment






With steering done from deep in the bowels of the ship


Probably the most important room on the ship - a tot of rum?



​

 

Other supplies


Sailmakers (and probably hammock fixers!)


Accommodation for the crew (and the ships cat!)








Then on to the meat of it all....


Going up?




Some fat bloke has somehow made it into the driving seat!






​

 

No, those are not coffee machines in the corner, they are radio receivers


As high as it gets!






A higher view of The Shard


And the 'Walkie Talkie'


Looking down




And looking around




Then down, and off into the radar room

​

 

Communications room, where you can try your hand at Morse Code if you like!


One final view of Tower Bridge



I hope you have enjoyed this wee virtual review of HMS Belfast, and would seriously encourage you to visit and enjoy it yourself. The staff throughout were very friendly and helpful, and exceptionally good at explaining things to children. Imperial War Museums have a number of sites (most of which we have now visited and there will hopefully be other threads on those providing everyone is not bored to tears by this!) - their organisation has to be praised for the work they are doing to conserve our history whilst also engaging folks like me in learning and enjoying it.​

 

Absolutely superb photos @Fat Controller.. It looks an amazing trip to take the manikins really make such a difference too.! Super pics of a great day out and thanks for sharing... Never get fed up looking at pics.!

 

Thank you both

This was also something of an achievement for me on a personal level, as it is not that long ago that I thought I was consigned to being in a hospital style bed for the rest of my days. I confess that I did have a wee bit of a glow when I made it to the highest point possible on that ship - made all the better by the fact that a chubby young lad couldn't do it when he tried just before me. That makes me sound a cruel old fart, but I am still taking it as a win.

 

I forgot to add this image - this is one of the photos of the model on display that I had a bit of a muck about with, removing all the background stuff and then adding my own touches.