HMS Belfast is offering a new family-friendly 'Voyage of Discovery' trail that will challenge visitors to explore all nine decks of the ship through a maze of corridors, ladders and hatches.
Running throughout the rest of the summer holidays and over the forthcoming bank holiday, new 'recruits' will be sent on a mission to find highlights around the ship, hunting for answers to the questions in the trail in their quest to receive an official Royal Navy rating.
More details about the trail and the wider programme of summer activities on HMS Belfast can be found below.
Take a Voyage of Discovery on HMS Belfast this summer
Opening hours: 10am – 6pm. Last entry an hour before closing.
Admission: £16.00 Adults; £12.80 Concessions; Children (5-15) £8.00Family ticket (1 adult and 2 children) £28.00; Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £42.00
HMS Belfast, the most significant surviving Second World War warship, welcomes visitors to take a voyage of discovery this summer. Journeying through the ship’s nine decks and taking part in the new Ship Shape Saturdays family activities, visitors can find out what life was like for the 950-strong crew who served on her.
This summer, visitors are welcomed on board HMS Belfast to uncover the ship’s fascinating history that extends to the Arctic convoys, D-Day, the Cold War, Korea and beyond. Following the audio guide and a new family-friendly 'Voyage of Discovery' trail, visitors can walk the same decks, duck through the same hatches, and climb up and down the same ladders as the men who served on board the ship.
From the heights of the Flag Deck, where visitors can take in panoramic views of London, to the depths of the Engine and Boiler Rooms that lie below the waterline, there are facts and personal stories to uncover around every corner. Children can sit in the captain’s chair, visit the ship’s sick bay or take a peek at the galley where up to 10 miles of sausages could be produced every day!
‘Fun facts’ can be discovered by kids whilst exploring the ship’s nine decks: for example, did you know the vibration of the ship’s guns at D-Day cracked the crew’s toilets? Or that crew on HMS Belfast used to cool off in shark infested waters of the Far East by swimming inside a big net attached to the ship?
This summer, HMS Belfast also presents new family activities and a new family trail. The trail challenges visitors to explore HMS Belfast's nine decks through a maze of corridors, ladders and hatches. Visitors are tasked to find highlights around the ship, hunting for answers to the questions in the trail. Ship Shape Saturdays, included in admission price, will give children the chance to learn the skills needed to become a member of the crew. With a different theme every month from June to October, honorary shipmates can learn knot tying, hoisting the flag, ship signalling and even play a Royal Navy game that kept the sailors occupied in their leisure time.
Kevin Price, Chief Yeoman, HMS Belfast says “The experience of exploring HMS Belfast is unlike any other museum. It’s so physical and all-encompassing: you can stand where the crew stood, climb up the same ladders and hear the stories from the sailors in their own words. Whether you come on board to hear these stories, try out our new family activities or take in the panoramic views of London, we look forward to welcoming you on board this summer.”
Whilst on board, visitors can also experience the Gun Turret Experience to find out what it was really like to fight at sea, and explore the interactive Operations Room, the nerve centre of the ship, all included in the general admission price.
On the quayside, the newly opened Tom’s Kitchen Deli and Tom’s Kitchen Bar, created under the direction of chef Tom Aikens, offers a signature range of sandwiches, bakery, beverages and other refreshments, overlooking HMS Belfast and the London skyline.
Summer 2016: Family Activities on HMS Belfast
NEW Voyage of Discovery Family Trail
Available throughout the summer holiday period Take a voyage of discovery with the whole family this summer and hop on board HMS Belfast to discover what life was like living at sea. Take part in our summer trail and hunt for clues and fun facts across all 9 decks to see if you have what it takes to be a member of the ship’s crew!
NEW Ship Shape Saturdays: Signals at Sea
Saturdays in August11am – 4pmJoin us for Ship Shape Saturdays and learn how to become a member of the ship’s crew. This month, find out how the Royal Navy signal from ship to ship using lights, codes and flags. This immersive activity will give you the opportunity to experience many different ways that messages can be sent in secret and understood by only those who should know.
