From this summer a new Gun Turret Experience will use lights, imagery, sound, smoke effects, movement and smells to allow visitors to experience what it would be like to fight at sea.
The experience, housed within one of the original Triple Gun Turrets overlooking the ship’s Quarterdeck, has been developed by attractions developer Sarner with the help of Royal Navy veterans as well as eye witness accounts from the Imperial War Museum’s collections.
Phil Reed, Director of HMS Belfast, said the new exhibition “gives visitors an exhilarating new perspective on life at sea and really enhances the ship’s historic surroundings.
“By immersing people in the sights and sounds of a naval battle we hope visitors will leave HMS Belfast with not only a greater knowledge of the Second World War but also a deeper understanding of its impact.”
Earlier this year HMS Belfast’s Operations Room, the nerve centre of the ship when she was in active service, re-opened following a restoration which included the addition of interactive features.
Access to the Operations Room and Gun Turret Experience is included in the standard adult admission fee, children accompanied by an adult can visit the ship for free.
Venue details:
Opening hours: 1 November-28 February, 10am-5pm (last admission 4pm)
1 March-31 October, 10am-6pm (last admission 5pm)
Location: HMS Belfast is moored on the Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. Morgans Lane, Tooley Street, London SE12JH (London Bridge or Tower Hill tube)
