Monday, July 1, 2013

The HMS Belfast

*I received two complimentary tickets to the HMS Belfast for the purposes of review.  


The next stop on our London Summer Explore was the
The HMS Belfast is a Royal Navy light cruiser that is permanently moored
in the Thames and open to the public as a museum.
(You can see her in all of her glory from The View from the Shard.)

She was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1939 and retired from service in 1963
after serving all over the world. 

HMS Belfast Bell London

HMS Belfast

HMS Belfast Anchor

HMS Belfast

There are nine decks to explore on the ship and be prepared
to do a lot of climbing and squeezing into tight spaces.
These ladders can be a little tricky.  Face the ladder and go slow and you'll be fine.

Ladder HMS Belfast London

Uniform HMS Belfast London

HMS Belfast

Night Head in the HMS Belfast

Artillery HMS Belfast London

My favorite part was touring the living quarters, where the crew lived, ate, slept and worked for months on end.  When I saw the first mannequin I thought "Oh, dear."
Sometimes mannequins are done so poorly that they really distract me from an attraction.
Picture the plastic mannequins from a recently closed department store
set up awkwardly and missing a few fingers or a chipped nose. 

But that is not the case on the HMS Belfast at all.
They are so well done, with realism and a sense of humor.
They completely add to the experience.
There is even one guy after a shower, wrapped in a towel and doing his hair in a mirror.
You'll have to go yourself to see him as my picture didn't turn out.  Sorry.

Mail Office HMS Belfast London

HMS Belfast peeling potatos London

Surgery HMS Belfast London

Recovery HMS Belfast London

Recovery aboard HMS Belfast

The ship was just a floating city and there was everything that the men needed while away, 
kitchen, hospital, store, laundry, post office... and the dreaded dentist.

Dental Surgery aboard HMS Belfast
  
Dental Surgery aboard HMS Belfast

The 950 sailors received a daily ration of rum or grog. They could purchase soda, beer, tobacco and chocolate at the ship store.  They slept in hammocks hanging side by side in tight quarters.  It was the most comfortable way to sleep on the ship.  As the boat tossed and turned, the hammock would hang level and they slept like babies.


Rum rationing aboard HMS Belfast
  
Sailors aboard HMS Belfast

Hammocks HMS Belfast London

Smoke break aboard HMS Belfast

It really was just like stepping back in time.
They've done a fantastic job of showing life on board a war ship.
It is definitely worth a visit and good value for money. 

Planning your visit:

The ship is Open Daily except for December 24, 25 and 26.

November to February - 10am to 5pm (last admission 4pm)
March to October - 10am to 6pm (last admission 5pm)

Adults Price is £14.50.
Children under 16 are free and must be accompanied by an adult.
Senior, Student and Disabled price is £11.60.

You can purchase tickets on-site or in advance online.

Be sure to grab the free audioguide which lasts about 90 minutes.
There are in available in several languages and there is even a family audioguide.

There is a cafe and shop on site.

The closest tube stations are London Bridge and Tower Hill.

Be sure to check online before you go as sometimes they are closed for special events.

Union Jack HMS Belfast London

It looks like summer has finally arrived in London and 
we are enjoying this wonderful weather.
Today is Canada Day and I'm off to Trafalgar Square to celebrate with some Canadian friends.

You can also find me out on the internet in a few interviews.
This one with 1st Contact and this one with Julie Dawn Fox in Portugal.
Pop on over and leave a comment to let me know what you think.

And best news of all,  Jessica is coming for a visit in September!  It's official.
I so cannot wait to see that child of mine!!!

I hope you have a wonderful week!!


Have you visited the HMS Belfast?  What did you think?

What other London Attractions should I check out during our London Summer Explore?



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 *I received two complimentary tickets to the HMS Belfast for the purposes of review.
All photos, writing and opinions are my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.


You can find this review and many others in my
London Attraction Guide.

9 comments:

  1. Wow! Those manequins ARE well done!! I'm impressed! They didn't seem to distract at all and help tell the story of life on a war ship. Interesting! Might have to put that on my list of London things to do!

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  2. I would love to visit! Looks very cool! It reminds me of the USS Midway in San Diego!

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  3. You want to know how I know that those are good mannequins? Because they totally creep me out.

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  4. Very Interesting ~ those mannequins are great!

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  5. You should go. I think Christopher would enjoy it. 

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  6. lol Some of them did have some pretty scary hair. 

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  7. They've done a great job with it. We visited the USS Midway in San Diego. I think it's much bigger than the Belfast. We really enjoyed it. 

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  8. It was really a fun visit and the price wasn't too bad. London prices can be a bit crazy. I would definitely say add it to the list. xoxo
    Selena

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  9. It looks like a interesting place to visit. I will keep it in mind for when I visit Lodon again.

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Thanks for commenting. I love to hear from you!