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HMS Belfast

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Come on board this iconic London landmark and discover its amazing globe-trotting history. Follow us on Facebook and join our growing community of fans.
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Discover in-depth information about HMS Belfast, special content, and discuss and share with others. Our social media house rules can be found here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/policies/social-media

19/10/2026

Join us on board HMS Belfast and see if you can successfully seek out a sailor’s missing kit, then claim a very special sticker as your reward. After completing the trail, venture below decks to make your very own mini kit bag.

15/10/2026

How do you feed a crew of nearly 1,000 sailors?

In this video, IWM Curator Rob Rumble talks us through how sailors were kept fed on board HMS Belfast.

This clip comes from a longer video of ours, which you can find on our YouTube channel here: https://bit.ly/4zulr0f

14/10/2026

On 14 October 1971, HMS Belfast made her final journey up the River Thames, sailed under Tower Bridge and took up her permanent moorings in a specially dredged berth in the Pool of London. Belfast was opened to the public a week later on Trafalgar Day, 21 October 1971.

You can read more about HMS Belfast’s – from her launch on St Patrick's Day in 1938 up to today – on our website here: https://bit.ly/47T8IZe

Image: © IWM (MH 15062)

01/10/2026

This pair of binoculars was used by then First Lieutenant James Kirkwood of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve while serving aboard LCT 706 on D-Day.

James Kirkwood, born 27 March 1922 in Glasgow, joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) in 1942. On 5 June 1944 he embarked for Normandy on LCT 706 carrying a contingent of the 13th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, part of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division who were destined for the 'Nan' Sector of Juno Beach. After disembarking the Canadian artillery unit, Kirkwood and LCT 706 returned to Portsmouth and continued ferrying reinforcements to Normandy until October 1944, averaging five trips per week, keeping these binoculars with him.

The binoculars are currently on display on board HMS Belfast as part of Pressure: The D-Day Decision, a temporary display in partnership with STUDIOCANAL and the Met Office open until April 2027. Find out more here: https://bit.ly/4gejePE

Image: IWM (OPT 608)

17/09/2026

This pocket watch was used on the morning of D-Day to time the naval barrage of the Normandy coast.

HMS Belfast participated in this barrage: serving as the flagship of Bombardment Force E, she supported troops landing at Gold and Juno beaches, opening fire at 05:27 'with full broadside to port' (quoting Belfast’s log from the day).

The pocket watch is currently on display on HMS Belfast as part of our 'Pressure: The D-Day Decision' display, telling the extraordinary story of the weather forecasts that helped shape one of the most important decisions of the Second World War.

Pressure is open until April next year. Plan your visit here: https://bit.ly/4gejePE

09/09/2026

Pressure opens today in cinemas across the UK!

Starring Andrew Scott, Brendan Fraser, Kerry Condon and Damian Lewis, Pressure brings to life the largely untold story behind the crucial decision facing General Dwight D. Eisenhower of when to launch D-Day. As an Atlantic storm approaches, meteorologist Group Captain James Stagg must deliver the forecast that could determine whether the invasion succeeds or ends in disaster.

You can dive deeper into the events behind the film on board HMS Belfast with our new temporary display on the tense 72 hours leading up to D-Day.

Find out more here: https://bit.ly/4gejePE

03/09/2026

Today, 3 September marks Merchant Navy Day, observed annually to honour the brave civilian seafarers who kept the nation supplied and lost their lives in times of war.

Today the Blue and Red Ensigns join the White Ensign on HMS Belfast's mainmast. The Red Ensign is assigned specifically for use by British merchant and civilian ships and the Blue Ensign is designated for ships in government service or those commanded by an officer of the Royal Naval Reserve.

Photo: Stuart Paul

29/08/2026

Pressure: The D-Day Decision is now open on HMS Belfast.

Inspired by the upcoming STUDIOCANAL film Pressure, the display explores the extraordinary true story of the weather forecast that shaped D-Day.

One of the objects on display is the M1 Helmet worn by Sergeant Floyd Jakob 'Bud' Corrington, a US paratrooper of the American 101st Airborne Division. Corrington jumped into Normandy from a C-47 Skytrain early on 6 June 1944. Corrington is listed as having been killed in action on D-Day. The exact circumstances of his death are not known, his helmet being found near the hamlet of La Basse-Addeville.

Pressure: The D-Day Decision is open until April 2027. Entry included with general admission. Find out more here: https://bit.ly/4gejePE

Image: IWM UNI 16258

21/08/2026

Pressure: The D-Day Decision opens today on HMS Belfast!

Discover the extraordinary true story of the weather forecasts that helped shape one of the most important decisions of the Second World War.

Inspired by the upcoming STUDIOCANAL film Pressure, in cinemas 9 September, the display brings together rarely seen objects, documents and personal accounts from the IWM and Met Office archives, revealing the immense pressure faced by those planning D-Day.

Plan your visit today: https://bit.ly/4gejePE

STUDIOCANAL | Met Office

20/08/2026

Opening aboard HMS Belfast from 21 August, Pressure: The D-Day Decision explores the extraordinary true story of the weather forecasters whose judgement helped shape the success of D-Day.

Inspired by the upcoming STUDIOCANAL film Pressure, in cinemas 9 September, the display brings together never-before and rarely seen objects, documents and personal accounts from the IWM and Met Office archives.

From Group Captain James Stagg's personal diary to a helmet worn by a member of the 101st Airborne Division, discover the people behind one of the most consequential decisions of the Second World War.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/4gejePE

Address

The Queen's Walk
London
SE12JH

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 6pm
Tuesday	10am - 6pm
Wednesday	10am - 6pm
Thursday	10am - 6pm
Friday	10am - 6pm
Saturday	10am - 6pm
Sunday	10am - 6pm

Website

http://www.iwm.org.uk/belfast/

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