HMS Caroline

Probably one of the best navy museum ships in the UK. It may not be the grandest but the staff and the volunteers really make all the difference. I've never met people so kind and dedicated to their jobs. Arthur was great and lovely to talk to and there was another fella who took the time to ask me if I had any feedback onboard during my visit and took note of an audio point which wasn't working. The interactive displays for signalling here are some of the highest quality I've seen and even though I'm probably way too old to play with them I couldn't help myself.i also really liked the Jutland video in the first hall. Honestly Caroline's staff are a gleaming example for what should be the standard for any museum ship.

I'd honestly give HMS Caroline 6 stars out of 5 if I could. It's an amazing ship and I couldnt believe her sharp, sleek hull was from the 1st World War. Easy to see why she was so fast. 38 knots! Very friendly and knowledgable staff. I'd say this is a must see if you're in the area. Easy to fit in with a visit to Titanic which is what we did with our two boys. Only 10 mins walk away. DON'T MISS THIS ONE!

Better museum than the Titanic (which should be called a history of belfast). Good story, good tour. Great history of over 100 years service

Here’s a review for HMS Caroline: --- A Unique Naval Experience HMS Caroline is a fantastic glimpse into naval history and a hidden gem in Belfast. This beautifully restored World War I ship offers an engaging and interactive experience. Walking through the ship, you get to see how the crew lived and worked, with well-preserved cabins, engine rooms, and weaponry displays. The multimedia exhibits provide fascinating insights into naval warfare and life at sea. The staff are friendly and passionate, enhancing the visit with their knowledge. It's a perfect outing for history enthusiasts and families alike. A visit to HMS Caroline is both educational and enjoyable—highly recommended!

Absolutely brilliant guided tour by Chris. Starts off with a short video then a tour of the ship. Well put together. Also free parking right beside the ship. Loved it !

Had a lovely visit here. Very interesting and great being able to walk around almost every inch of the ship. Bonus as there is a cafe that was there, split the visit up a little. Was great watching, reading.and hearing the history of the ship from it was built, during the war etc and how it is now a museum. Has a lovely little gift shop and then was nice to walk around the dock area after.

Free parking. Book ticket tour time in advance girt aid for years entrance. Guided tour, lady knew her stuff..various displays with info boards and interactive screens and also back ground sounds. Steep steps low ceilings but fairly accessible. They had lift between floors. Great views around of docks old and working and H&W cranes

We had a great time exploring the HMS Caroline and learning about the history of the ship. Michael was our guide on the day, who did a fantastic job of showing us around. The whole tour took about 1.5 hours. I'd definitely recommend booking tickets in advance as the group size is limited to 15 people. The ship has bathrooms and a gift shop onboard.

HMS Caroline has jumped right to the very top of my list of 'best things to do in Belfast'. Even though I'm not interested in ships or naval history, I thought HMS Caroline absolutely fantastic. Walking around this beautifully restored, 100 year old ship, is mesmerising and truly a living history experience. As soon as you step aboard there's a movie to watch, then you can wander around at your own leisure, listening to an audio guide which is activated by hitting a button near sensors placed over the ship. Luxury Captain's quarters, dinning rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, sick rooms, messes and the engine room - everywhere is open to go into and has been authentically restored. I spent two hours aboard and was fascinated. Even seeing the weaponry (torpedoes were called 'tin fish'!), decks and navigating bridge was enthralling. I loved that the ships crew had mascots in the form of a rabbit and two cats named Tom and Puff. HMS Caroline boasts a reasonably priced cafe which sells a small selection of sandwiches, sweet items, tea, coffee and much to my delight beers. Plus there's a gift shop if you fancy picking up presents or memorabilia. All ages will enjoy visiting Caroline and it's definitely not just for the boys, girls too will enjoy this unique experience. Entrance fees are extremely reasonable at circa £12 (adult), £7.50 (concession) and £5 (kids) plus there are family deals available e.g. 2 adults and 3 kids for £26 (as at July 2016). This is one of the few attractions I would actually want to return to because there was so much to see and take in. I plan to visit again to fully absorb HMS Caroline's history. We are very lucky to have the last British, Word War One, light-cruiser and only survivor of the Battle of Jutland docked in Belfast.

The HMS Caroline has been docked in Belfast for 82 years! I wasn't even aware of her being here until someone recommended I have a look. She is a rather unimpressive looking ship, that is until you consider her history. (See below) although the crows nest was stunning. (imagine being out there in gale force winds climbing up those tiny rungs to the nest. No way!) If you are a maritime fan then come check this out. It's lovely to see her docked in Belfast. For a little history brief; HMS Caroline was commissioned into service December 1914. She was the fastest built major warship ever. She weighs 3750 tons, measures 446ft, has a beam of 31.5ft and a draught of 14ft 9ins. The armour plating around the ship is four inches at the top and deprecating to two inches at the keel. Her armament consisted of two six-inch guns aft, one 3-inch anti-aircraft gun, two four-inch guns and twin 21-inch torpedo tubes amidships on both sides of the ship and four, four-inch guns around the bridge area. Her motto is TENAX PROPOSITI: Firmness with purpose HMS CAROLINE has been in commission for the last 92 years and is the second oldest commissioned ship in the Royal Navy. Now berthed in Alexander Wharf, the ship has been a part of Belfast City Docks for the last 82 years and at the moment it is intended for her to stay as a commissioned ship conducting training for the Royal Naval Reserves for the foreseeable future. Come see this lovely, lonely little gem of a ship.

I spent a couple of hours exploring this restored naval vessel, which served in the Battle of Jutland in 1916. So proud to have finally toured it as ever since I was a boy it's been derelict!! So much history and heritage. It's hard to imagine up to 500 sailors lived,ate,slept and fought on board. Excellent AV displays, interactive displays, sights and sounds. Very knowledgeable staff, great cafe and shop. £13 well spent and a must see for all ages when in Belfast!!

Apparently it going to be restored soon and opened to the public, I hope it will be put back to original condition, with its history it deserves to be preserved and exhibited so everyone can see it. Its an important ship and Belfast and the royal navy have just let it decay for too long. Currently its fenced off but you can still walk within meters of it.

I had to go see HMS Caroline as she shares my name and what a fantastic experience! I spent hours walking around this World War 1 battleship. It was a superb day out and much better than I anticipated. From the captains to the crews quarters there's so much to see and hear. The characteristics of HMS Caroline are captured perfectly in the recent renovation. She is a gorgeous and amazing ship, a productive and entertaining way to spend an afternoon.

I got a sneak hard hat preview of the grand old lady HMS Caroline before she gets her makeover for reopening on June 1st. This is going to be an excellent addition to Belfast's visitor attractions and I can't wait to see the results. We visited on a bright but bitterly cold morning. Going up the gangplank you first enter the drill hall which will be the entry to the exhibition and will have interactive displays detailing the history of the ship including some unseen archive film. The tour will be self guided and will feature areas of the ship as it would have been when in active service. Cabins and officer's quarters will show how the different ranks lived and ate while at sea. The ship will be fully accessible for the less able bodied and there will be a café and museum shop. On the day of our visit it was a complete mess as it is being completely gutted but we were able to walk around the public areas and use our imagination as to how it will look. I even got down to the engine room via a rickety ladder to see the massive powerhouse of the ship! Up on deck there's a great view over to Cavehill and you get a sense of what it must have been like as a working ship. I will add a further review when I revisit. Bookings are already open for the first tours priced at £12 pp or £26 for a family.

As a supporter of HMS Caroline for almost 20 years, I feel that she is part and parcel of Belfast and should stay here. She is the last surviving ship from the WW1 and she should be saved. Belfast is in need of a Maritmes Museum and why not make Carolne the backdrop for it, so come on Belfast City Council and the Navy and lets keep Caroline for both Belfast and Northern Ireland