HMS Belfast

This cruiser saw service during the Second World War, and supported the Normandy landings. She was active until 1965 and served in Korea. Now permanently moored on the riverside just upstream of Tower Bridge and run by the Imperial War Museum. Admission charge. Car Park on the corner of Tooley Street by Tower Bridge. The shop and ticket sales point are somewhat congested, and accessed via a threshold and Door width 75cm. Entrance flat, with an open lift down to the level of the quarterdeck bypassing -4 steps. Note that the lift can only be reached along the right side of the gangway, which is normally the exit route. There is a steepish ramp to the boatdeck on an upper level. Wheelchairs are available for use. They have gone to considerable lengths to make parts of the ship accessible, but it's difficult, as there are narrow gaps and doors to gun turrets, and high thresholds/bulkheads (which were designed to keep water out during rough weather). The decks are quite rough with various ridges and protrusions. Chair users will find that help is vital especially to get inside, as some of the ramps put over the bulkheads are very steep. You can get close to some of the smaller guns on the boatdeck. Towards the bow, where the anchors are laid out, there is a barrier 25cm high to get over. Going up inside to see the bridge and wireless room, and down to the engine room and living quarters, involves steep ladders and well over 100 steps, and is only possible for the relatively agile. In spite of this, there's enough to see in the accessible parts of the ship including all of the quarterdeck, to make it an interesting visit. There's a wheelchair toilet (Door width 90cm Side transfer distance 100cm+) on the quarterdeck level with portable ramps to help you negotiate the bulkhead threshold (which is 35cm high) to get to the loo. You need to ask, and the ramps involved are pretty steep.

With free entry for under 16s, HMS Belfast is a fantastic value attraction for the whole family. If stuffy museums don't appeal, this is the ideal place to have fun and learn about the fascinating history of this huge battleship. As well as 9 decks to explore, there are regularly changing exhibitions and special family activities on the last weekend of every month.