Since the launch in 1938 HMS Belfast has served in both key battles and peace-keeping duties across the world.

The most significant surviving Second World War Royal Navy warship, HMS Belfast played a key role in the Arctic Convoys, the Battle of North Cape and D-Day, which was the last time she fired her guns in anger in European waters. She has served several commissions in the Far East, and as one of the first British ships to go to action in the Korean War HMS Belfast worked closely with Allied forces where she gained the reputation as 'that straight-shooting ship', and oversaw the escape of HMS Amethyst.

The ship is permanently moored on the Thames next to Tower Bridge where you can come aboard and explore all 9 of her historic decks and hear the personal stories of the crew who lived and served on board.

We went round to the Arctic...our duty station was the Denmark Straits, backwards and forwards, making sure no German ships got out. One early morning I wanted to get to "A" Turret on the Upper Deck. Waiting for the big ones to come over, I dashed, got my hand on the Turret door and a big one came over, swept me from my feet, but I didn't get washed overboard because my hand was frozen on the Turret handle.' - Ordnance Artificer John Harrison.