Visit HMS Caroline

HMS Caroline is located at Alexandra Dock, Queens Rd, Belfast in the heart of Titanic Quarter. We are only 2.8 miles away from Belfast City Hall - 10-15 minutes by car. 

We offer free parking on site, including disabled parking.

By public transport: Take the G2 Glider bus from Belfast City Hall to the first Catalyst Inc. stop. Walk through Catalyst car park to reach us at Alexandra Dock.  

By car: Take the car and park in our free car park. We are only five minutes up Queens Road from SSE Arena, or a two minute drive from the Titanic Hotel. 

By Bicycle: Take advantage of the Belfast Bike scheme and enjoy a leisurely cycle up Maritime Mile.

On foot: HMS Caroline is just a 30 minute walk from the iconic Big Fish in Belfast City Centre. Walk the Maritime Mile and see the Belfast Marina and the Great Light on your way.  

A coach drop off point and coach parking facilities are available.
 

There are 8 tours scheduled throughout the day, from 10am until 3.15pm. During Northern Ireland school holidays, the ship will be open for free flow visits.

All of our tours are subject to change, so please check our social media pages regularly to keep updated with our latest opening hours and tour times.

We hope to welcome you on board HMS Caroline soon.

HMS Caroline is a restored First World War ship that has been converted into a museum and visitor attraction. Due to the historic nature of the vessel, there are some accessibility considerations to be aware of when planning your visit.
 
The ship is accessed via a ramp from the dockside. As the vessel is afloat, the gradient of the ramp changes due to the tidal nature of Belfast Lough; the ramp can be particularly steep at high tide. 
 
There are steep steps and uneven surfaces on board. The majority of the ship is accessible for wheelchair users and our guided tour route has been designed with this mobility in mind.

There are three lifts on board HMS Caroline:

• One external lift at the aft end of the ship, which provides access between the upper and lower decks.
• One internal lift in the café at the forward end of the ship, which provides access between the lower and upper decks.
• One external lift at the forward end of the ship, which provides access between the upper deck and the Fo’c’sle.

Visitors should be aware that the Captain's Quarters and Engine Room are not accessible to pushchairs or wheelchairs, and due to the historic nature of this vessel the corridors on the ship are original and are narrow. If required, visitors can leave pushchairs in our drill hall at the beginning of your tour and collect these at the end.

There are two accessible toilets on-board, next to the Drill Hall and Historic Galley.
 
We have wheelchairs on site that may be borrowed free of charge.
 
Light levels vary throughout the ship; there are also loud soundscapes and interactives on board. The Battle of Jutland film is loud, dark and contains images that may be upsetting to some visitors.

Please note, high heels with a diameter smaller than a 2p coin (2.5cm) cannot be worn on board the ship. Heel caps that can be fitted should be purchased in advance

We are delighted to offer a discounted price to groups of 15 people and above. Groups of up to 30 are welcome (although we would need two concurrent tours – 2 x 15).

With ample parking for coaches and cars, on board refreshments and the choice of an exclusive guided tour, HMS Caroline is a great day out for groups of all ages. 

*Prices valid for visit dates up to and including 31/03/25.

To qualify for group rates, a minimum of 12 persons is required and a group leader goes for free. There is no maximum group number but larger groups may be required to split into smaller numbers.

There is a café on board HMS Caroline which seats approximately 30 people. It serves light refreshments such as soup, sandwiches and cake along with tea/coffee etc.
 

Group bookings must be made in advance with a minimum of 7 days notice. Bookings for the winter season are subject to staffing availability so please enquire with as much notice as possible.
 

To enquire about our group visits please contact us on 028 9045 4484.
To book your group call 023 9283 9766 (opt. 3) or email groups@nmrn.org.uk
 

Based in Belfast’s famous Titanic Quarter, HMS Caroline is a First World War-era ship now restored as a floating museum with an amazing story to tell.  Pupils will be immersed in life on board this unique vessel and discover stories of the people who served during one of history’s greatest naval engagements, the Battle of Jutland. 

Our onsite and outreach sessions combine hand-on activities with an opportunity to engage with collections and innovative technology, providing unforgettable learning experiences that bring the curriculum to life.

For more information email our Learning Team.
 

Want to come back and experience HMS Caroline again? Tours are scheduled throughout the day at 10 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm, and 3 pm. While spontaneity is welcomed, we recommend booking your place in advance to ensure a seamless visit and to mitigate against a lack of availability of tour spots on the day.

Book your return visit today?

if you require any assistance pre-booking a guided tour please contact us by emailing enquiries@nmrn.org.uk or call 023 9289 1370 and select option 4.

During the months spanning November to May, HMS Caroline adopts a guided tours model, hosting tours at 10am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3pm. 

The Mess Deck Café at HMS Caroline is currently closed. HMS Caroline stocks a very basic range of cold drinks and snacks on board, these are available to purchase from the Museum Shop.

Visitors are also welcome to bring their own snacks to enjoy at our on-site picnic area. 
 

Guidelines for visitors (2024)

To ensure all visitors to HMS Caroline have a safe and rewarding experience we have compiled these brief safety notes.

All buildings and the ship are assessed regularly and maintained to a high standard, as are equipment and procedures (e.g. fire evacuation). Due to the nature of our attractions, some hazards cannot be avoided but they can be mitigated. Buildings and the ship may have raised areas and step / stair access, sharp edges, electrical hazards, fire hazards, trip/fall/slip hazards and rusty/dusty artefacts. First aid trained staff are available at all sites. Please approach the nearest members of staff if any assistance is required or an emergency occurs.

All Front of house staff are trained in evacuation procedures; in the event of an alarm, please follow the instructions given by the staff. Do not stop to collect your belongings. The muster point for each attraction is listed in the corresponding sections below.

The General Environment

HMS Caroline is a restored First World War ship that has been converted into a museum and visitor attraction. Due to the historic nature of the vessel, there are some accessibility considerations to be aware of when planning your visit. Light levels vary throughout the ship. There are also loud soundscapes and interactives on board. The Battle of Jutland film is loud, dark and contains images that may be upsetting to some visitors.

The ship is accessed via a ramp from the dockside. As the vessel is afloat, the gradient of the ramp changes due to the tidal nature of Belfast Lough; the ramp can be particularly steep at high tide. The ship can be inaccessible to some i.e. mobility issues or in wheelchairs, when the tide is high.

Due to the historic nature of the ship, we recommend you wear sturdy shoes and dress for the outdoors i.e. warm coats and layers.

The site and all activities are fully risk assessed and subject to safeguarding, and health and safety policies.

Security

The National Museum of the Royal Navy is protected by 24 hour CCTV and security. All visitors entering HMS Caroline are responsible for the conduct and health and safety of your group at all times. Although our staff are trained to take the highest care of the health and safety of your group, they are not legally responsible for them. In the event of an emergency evacuation please follow the instructions of staff who are trained to evacuate the building quickly.

Fire Assembly Point

HMS Caroline has two designated safe assembly points located away from the ship.

The primary safe assembly point is at the entrance to the HMS Caroline car park, beside the car park of the Northern Ireland Science Park.

The secondary safe assembly point is located next to the entrance to Café Krem behind the Pumphouse, and should only be used when the primary safe assembly point is unsafe to use.

Conservation and Maintenance Work

There is always work happening across all our sites to keep our historic ships and related galleries safe and well maintained. You may come across areas barriered off during your visit. Please ensure that members of your group do not enter any of these areas.

Other Hazard Information

• Very cold temperatures during winter months.
• Low light levels in some gallery areas.
• Various Stairs and Lifts linking different decks aboard the ship.
• Trip hazards
• Close proximity to water