HMS Belfast Deck Plan
All nine decks and levels of HMS Belfast — from the bridge high above the Thames to the boiler rooms deep below the waterline.
HMS Belfast Deck Plan at a Glance
| Level | Deck | Main highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flag Deck | Bridge, Compass Platform, Captain's Chair, Panoramic Views |
| 2 | Boat Deck | Skyline Views, Anti-Aircraft Guns, Outdoor Area |
| 3 | Fo'c'sle (Forecastle) | 6-inch Gun Turrets, Forward Guns, Anchor Equipment |
| 4 | Quarter Deck | Main Entrance, Gift Shop, Welcome Exhibition |
| 5 | Shelter Deck | Operations Room, Officers' Cabins, Wardroom, Communications |
| 6 | Upper Deck (1 Deck) | Galley (Kitchen), Bakery, Mess Areas, Food Preparation |
| 7 | Main Deck (2 Deck) | Sick Bay, Operating Theatre, NAAFI Canteen, Chapel, Dentist |
| 8 | Lower Deck (3 Deck) | Hammock Sleeping Areas, Mess Decks, Life Figures, Personal Kit |
| 9 | Platform Deck (4 Deck) | Boiler Rooms, Engine Rooms, Shell Rooms, Magazines, Steering Position |
Deck-by-Deck Guide
01Flag Deck
Top of the ship — Command & navigation
Flag Deck
Top of the ship — Command & navigation
The highest accessible deck, home to the bridge and compass platform. From here, the captain and officers directed the ship during battle and at sea. The bridge still contains original instruments and offers panoramic views across London.
What to look for
- ▸The captain's wooden chair with its elevated position for visibility
- ▸Original voice pipes used to relay commands below decks
- ▸360-degree views of Tower Bridge, the City, and the South Bank
02Boat Deck
Open-air deck with London skyline views
Boat Deck
Open-air deck with London skyline views
An open-air area that originally housed the ship's boats and life rafts. Today it provides one of the best vantage points along the Thames, with views stretching from Tower Bridge to Canary Wharf.
What to look for
- ▸The Bofors anti-aircraft guns positioned along the sides
- ▸Photo opportunities with Tower Bridge as backdrop
- ▸Interpretation panels showing wartime London from this vantage point
03Fo'c'sle (Forecastle)
Forward section — Main armament
Fo'c'sle (Forecastle)
Forward section — Main armament
The forward section of the ship where you'll find the massive 6-inch gun turrets. These triple turrets could fire shells weighing over 50 kg up to 23 km. The fo'c'sle gives a real sense of the firepower HMS Belfast carried.
What to look for
- ▸The massive triple 6-inch gun turrets — each weighing around 175 tonnes
- ▸The anchor chain and capstan equipment at the bow
- ▸Shell handling equipment visible through hatches
04Quarter Deck
Main entrance & ceremonial area
Quarter Deck
Main entrance & ceremonial area
Traditionally the most important area of a Royal Navy ship, the quarter deck was where formal ceremonies took place. Today it serves as the main visitor entrance aboard HMS Belfast, setting the scene for your exploration of the ship.
What to look for
- ▸The ship's bell and ceremonial fittings
- ▸Introductory displays setting the historical context
- ▸The impressive scale of the ship as you first step aboard
05Shelter Deck
Operations room & officers' quarters
Shelter Deck
Operations room & officers' quarters
A key working deck housing the operations room — the nerve centre of the ship during action. Here, radar and communications operators tracked threats and coordinated the ship's response. The officers' cabins show life at sea for senior crew.
What to look for
- ▸The plotting table in the operations room where battles were coordinated
- ▸Radar equipment and communications gear
- ▸The contrast between officers' quarters and ratings' mess decks below
06Upper Deck (1 Deck)
Galley & crew dining
Upper Deck (1 Deck)
Galley & crew dining
The galley (kitchen) prepared meals for the entire crew of up to 950 men. The bakery and butchery were self-contained, producing fresh bread and processing meat daily. Adjacent mess areas show where crew ate their meals.
What to look for
- ▸The large cooking ranges that had to feed hundreds of sailors
- ▸The bakery ovens that produced fresh bread at sea
- ▸Mess tables and benches showing the communal dining experience
07Main Deck (2 Deck)
Medical bay, NAAFI & chapel
Main Deck (2 Deck)
Medical bay, NAAFI & chapel
This deck housed essential welfare facilities. The sick bay and operating theatre treated everything from minor injuries to battle casualties. The NAAFI canteen provided snacks and supplies, while the chapel offered a place of quiet reflection.
What to look for
- ▸The surprisingly well-equipped operating theatre
- ▸The dentist's chair — a dreaded visit for many sailors
- ▸NAAFI supplies and the small comforts available to crew
08Lower Deck (3 Deck)
Sailors' living quarters
Lower Deck (3 Deck)
Sailors' living quarters
Where the majority of the ship's company lived. Hammocks were slung in tight rows, and personal space was minimal. Life figures and audio recreations bring to life the cramped, noisy reality of living aboard a warship with hundreds of shipmates.
What to look for
- ▸The hammocks slung just inches apart — each sailor's only private space
- ▸Life-sized figures depicting daily routines
- ▸Personal kit and possessions showing what sailors carried
09Platform Deck (4 Deck)
Engine rooms, boiler rooms & shell rooms
Platform Deck (4 Deck)
Engine rooms, boiler rooms & shell rooms
Deep in the ship's hull, this is where the real power lay. The boiler rooms generated steam to drive the turbines that propelled Belfast at speeds up to 32 knots. The shell rooms and magazines stored the ammunition that fed the guns above. The experience of descending nine decks into the bowels of the ship is unforgettable.
What to look for
- ▸The massive boilers and the intense heat conditions stokers endured
- ▸Engine room telegraphs that relayed speed orders from the bridge
- ▸The shell hoists that carried ammunition up to the gun turrets
- ▸The claustrophobic lower steering position — a last resort if the bridge was hit