HMS Caroline

About the museum

HMS Caroline was built by Cammell Laird in Birkenhead and launched in September 1914. She served with the Grand Fleet in the North Sea and took part in the Battle of Jutland on 31 May and 1 June 1916, the largest naval battle of the First World War. She came through the fight undamaged and is the last surviving ship of that battle still afloat.

From 1924 the ship was moored in Belfast as a headquarters and training vessel, at first for the Ulster Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and, after the Second World War, for the Royal Naval Reserve. She stayed in Alexandra Dock in Titanic Quarter and was decommissioned in 2011, when she passed into the care of the National Museum of the Royal Navy.

A large restoration project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, turned her into a museum ship, and she first opened to visitors in June 2016, in time for the centenary of Jutland, and reopened in 2017 after a winter in dry dock for final repairs to the hull and interior. Visitors today follow a guided tour led by expert guides, who tell the stories of the crew. The route includes the engine room, the mess deck, the captain's cabin and the Drill Hall, where the story of Jutland is presented and a film recreates the battle. During Northern Ireland school holidays the ship is open on a free-flow basis.

Highlights

• Last surviving ship of the Battle of Jutland
• Guided tour led by expert guides with crew stories
• Engine room, mess deck and captain's cabin
• Film about the Battle of Jutland in the Drill Hall
• Moored in Alexandra Dock in the Titanic Quarter

Permanent exhibition

• Guided tour of HMS Caroline – A 45-minute guided tour of the restored cruiser, covering the engine room, mess deck, captain's cabin and the Drill Hall with the story and film of the Battle of Jutland.

Operated by

National Museum of the Royal Navy

Admission & discounts

Tickets are valid for one year from purchase and carry no booking fee; the booking calendar shows slightly higher prices (about £11 to £12) on some dates. A Gift Aid option is offered on the individual ticket. Discounts: 30 per cent for veterans (up to five people), 20 per cent for Blue Light card holders and 30 per cent for Defence Discount Service card holders. Group rates are available for parties of 15 or more with at least seven days' notice.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Most of the ship is accessible to wheelchair users and the tour route has been planned for this, with three lifts connecting the decks. The ramp from the dockside can be very steep at high tide, which may make boarding difficult for some wheelchair users. The Captain's Quarters and the Engine Room are not accessible to pushchairs or wheelchairs. There are two accessible toilets on board, and wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge. Light levels vary and some soundscapes are loud; the Battle of Jutland film is dark and loud. High heels with a heel diameter under 2.5 cm are not allowed (heel caps can be bought in advance).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Under-5s are free, and school visits with hands-on sessions are offered. Family-friendly activities are listed by the museum, and the film about the battle is loud and dark and may upset some children.

Getting there & parking

The ship is moored in Alexandra Dock in the Titanic Quarter.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop

The Mess Deck Café is currently closed. The museum shop sells cold drinks and snacks, and visitors may bring their own food to a picnic area.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit