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HMS Belfast lies on the Thames beside the London waterfront

Your independent Tower Bridge guide

HMS Belfast: Museum Entry and Walking Tour Options

Plan an HMS Belfast museum ship visit near Tower Bridge.

  • Entry tickets and walking tours explained
  • Glass floor, bridge lifts and nearby sights
  • Practical advice for both riverbanks

HMS Belfast

HMS Belfast is a museum ship on the Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. The landward entrance is from The Queen’s Walk. Its decks and interior spaces make a distinct visit from crossing the bridge or entering the bridge towers, so check each attraction separately when planning your day.

HMS Belfast on the Thames with Tower Bridge behind it

Visit options

Compare the details and choose the option that suits your plans.

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A ship with a history

Built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast, the cruiser dates from 1938. Today it is preserved as a museum. Visitors explore decks and interior spaces rather than taking a boat trip. The ship provides a different perspective on the riverfront and can be paired with a walk toward Tower Bridge or a separate visit to the Tower of London.

Decks and practical access

The museum route includes nine visitor decks, interiors and ladders. Access varies across the ship, so check the current information for the areas that matter to you before booking. The approach from The Queen’s Walk places the entrance on the south side of the river. Consider the route to and from your next stop as well as the time you want aboard.

Tickets and passes

For visits from 2 September 2026 to 31 March 2027, the direct adult price for ages 16 to 64 is £26.80 without a donation. Donations are voluntary. Reduced rates apply to eligible visitors and children; check the applicable category and current terms. A pass may include the ship, but compare its conditions and your plans with a separate ticket on the London pass page.

Audio and walking options

An admission option with an audio tour requires your own device. Another combines a city walk beginning at Piccadilly with ship entry. Check the chosen option for its meeting point and contents. For a nearby self-directed day, combine the ship with bridge entry or a visit to the Tower of London, allowing time for each separate admission.

Planning the visit

Decide first whether you want to cross at road level, enter the bridge or combine it with another attraction. These are different experiences and the booking details matter. The free pedestrian crossing gives you a view of the structure and connects the two banks. An interior ticket takes you through the towers and upper walkways and on to the historic Engine Rooms. The Tower of London is a separate historic site on the north bank. Check which admissions are included before choosing an itinerary.

The bridge visit begins at the North Tower. The route continues across both upper walkways, down through the South Tower and along the Blue Line to the Engine Rooms. Part of the route to the rooms is outdoors, so bring a layer suitable for the weather. Allow time to enjoy the views in both directions and to look at the machinery rather than treating the crossing as the whole visit. A useful guide to the route is our glass floor and walkways page.

The regular bridge opening hours are 09:30 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:00. It closes from 24 to 26 December and opens at 10:00 on 1 January. A bridge lift may delay entry. Check the date on your booking and the current opening hours before setting out, especially if you are combining visits. A scheduled lift is for a vessel and is not part of an admission ticket.

There are lifts in both towers, but they can be unavailable at short notice. Check their status if step-free access matters to your visit. Bags must fit the bridge's size limit and suitcases and wheeled bags are not allowed. For a fuller route, look at getting to the bridge and consider which side of the river you will be on before your next booking.

Making the most of the riverfront

Start by identifying the entrance or meeting point for each part of your day. A walk across the bridge, a timed interior visit and a tour beginning elsewhere can all fit into one itinerary, but each needs its own place in the plan. Keep your booking details accessible and check the date, time and language before leaving. If you are travelling with children, remember that visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult inside the bridge.

For a visit that includes several places, allow room between reservations for the walk and for any delays at the bridge. The moving roadway serves river traffic, so a lift can interrupt a crossing or delay entry. You can check the lift calendar when planning, but the timing of a vessel does not promise a view from inside. Choose a safe position on the riverbank and follow local instructions if you stop to watch.

Photography is allowed inside Tower Bridge without a tripod. Commercial photography and filming should be arranged in advance. Check the rules at any other attraction separately. Look at the seasonal planning guide for the balance between daylight and outdoor sections, and at the area guide if you are choosing which side of the river to stay on.

Frequently asked questions

Is the street crossing free?

Yes. Entry to the towers and upper walkways is a separate visit.

Does a ticket include a bridge lift?

Bridge lifts serve vessels; a ticket does not guarantee that one occurs during your visit.

Is this the bridge operator?

This is an independent visitor guide. Check the current conditions when booking.

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