HMS Belfast turns 80 in 2018

IWM welcomes visitors to come on board HMS Belfast for its anniversary weekend (17 March -18 March 2018) to discover stories from the ship’s fascinating 80 year history that extends to the Arctic convoys, D-Day, the Cold War, the Korean War and beyond.

Visitors to HMS Belfast for the anniversary weekend will be able to journey through the ship’s nine decks and uncover its fascinating history from the launch in 1938 through to its arrival in London in 1971, when HMS Belfast became a museum ship and an iconic part of the London skyline. There will also be a programme of activities on board to mark this anniversary.

Leading up to this momentous milestone, visitors will be able to get involved in preparing the ship for the commemorations. During February half term 2018, IWM will be running its Ship Shape programme of activities on board, where visitors will be able to participate in hands on conservation and find out how HMS Belfast’s expert conservation team preserve this historic ship and prepare for this important anniversary.

In addition to public activities on board, a private ceremonial event will take place on board HMS Belfast on Friday 16 March where a number of the ship’s surviving veterans will be reunited to mark this important anniversary.

Ian Kikuchi, Senior Curator, Second World War at IWM says:

“'HMS Belfast is a rare survivor, a veteran warship and a unique witness to twentieth century conflict. During this anniversary weekend visitors can come on board and experience the ship’s life and adventures by walking the same decks, ducking through the same hatches and climbing up and down the same ladders as the crew who served on board. With 80 years of stories to discover and nine decks to explore, there really is no museum quite like HMS Belfast.”

Visitors to HMS Belfast for the anniversary will not only learn about the history of the ship’s 80 years, but will themselves be making history as they partake in this commemorative weekend. IWM will also mark this anniversary by sharing 80 years of stories about HMS Belfast through its rich collections which visitors will be able to experience onsite and via IWM’s digital channels.

Further detail about plans for HMS Belfast’s 80th anniversary will be revealed in 2018.

For further information, interviews and image requests, please contact: Poppy Andrews, Press Officer, poandrews@iwm.org.uk 0207 091 3069.