A ‘Belfast minute’ from Northern Ireland’s most visited attraction
‘Best kept secret’ often describes well-trodden locations slightly off the beaten track. But what if you discovered Belfast’s best kept secret is not off the beaten track, but right bang in the middle of the city’s iconic Titanic Quarter and a minute’s drive from Northern Ireland’s most ‘well-trodden’ visitor attraction?
A compelling maritime heritage
HMS Caroline is Belfast’s First World War ship – the sole survivor of the greatest sea battle in history, the Battle of Jutland. Now fully restored to her former glory as an award-winning visitor attraction, the ship combines striking antiquity and authenticity with compelling interpretation to offer a visitor experience like no other – a genuine eureka moment for all who tread her timeless decks, explore her perfectly preserved living quarters and engine room and who get to place their hands on a rich and fascinating maritime history to rival any other.
HMS Caroline is woven into the very fabric of Belfast’s maritime heritage, having been berthed in the city for a hundred years, also serving as the Royal Navy’s Northern Ireland headquarters during the Second World War, before ultimately becoming the second-longest serving ship in Royal Navy history.
A very real historic adventure like no other
Today, HMS Caroline is one of Northern Ireland’s most remarkable visitor attractions with an amazing story to tell. Self-guided tours combine amazing history with fun and adventure as visitors step back in time to an otherwise lost world to uncover the ship’s incredible story and experience what life was like at sea more than 100 years ago.
The first port of call on board the ship is 1916’s momentous Battle of Jutland – brought to life by a dramatic cinematic experience which places you onboard HMS Caroline right in the heart of the battle.
Step inside the authentic spaces on HMS Caroline, including the captain’s quarters, galley, sickbay and officers’ quarters and it feels like the ship’s crews have never left.
Intrepid explorers will also crack codes and learn how to fire a torpedo just as HMS Caroline’s historic crews would have done, before getting to ‘steer the ship’ – fantastic fun for children and adults alike.
HMS Caroline’s mighty engines are early twentieth century technological marvels which powered her to an incredible 30 knots. Perfectly preserved just as they were when she was an active warship all those years ago, getting right up close to them is a jaw-dropping experience that cannot be put into words.
No HMS Caroline visit is complete without an exploration of the ship’s hugely impressive and beautifully appointed decks. This is where visitors get to check out the imposing replica guns, climb up to the Navigating Bridge to enjoy commanding panoramic views over Belfast Lough and to get that all-important selfie!
HMS Caroline tour ticket prices offer unbeatable value, helping already stretched holiday budget stretch a lot further, while free onsite parking is conveniently located next to the ship.
Tickets for HMS Caroline self-guided tours can be booked on the HMS Caroline website at www.hmscaroline.co.uk