HMS Wellington
Surviving Second World War convoy escort sloop moored on the Thames at Temple, used as an events venue and for occasional public tours.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
HMS Wellington is a Grimsby-class sloop launched in 1934 at Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth. She served first with the Royal Navy's New Zealand division in the South Pacific, and in the Second World War she became a convoy escort in the Battle of the Atlantic, credited with escorting 103 convoys. In June 1940 she also took part in Operation Cycle, the Allied evacuation of northern France.
She is the only surviving dedicated Battle of the Atlantic convoy escort in Europe, the only surviving Grimsby-class sloop and one of only 16 major Royal Navy historic ships to survive. After the war she was converted into a floating livery hall and moored on the Victoria Embankment, between the Cities of London and Westminster, where for many years she was the headquarters ship of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners. She is now owned and operated by The Wellington Trust, a charity with the aims of education and conservation, whose patron is the Princess Royal.
The Trust funds the upkeep of the ship largely through hiring out the former livery hall spaces for events, conferences, weddings and office space, supported by grants and donations. A National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £225,000 was announced in January 2025 to secure the ship's future. The Trust wants her to become a memorial ship for those lost in the Battle of the Atlantic.
In June 2025 the ship reopened to the public with a 30-minute virtual reality experience and tours, offered through the summer.
Highlights
- Last surviving dedicated Battle of the Atlantic convoy escort in Europe
- Only surviving Grimsby-class sloop
- 30-minute virtual reality wartime experience (offered in summer 2025)
- Floating livery hall on the Thames at Temple
- Operated by
- The Wellington Trust
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Temple station
The ship is just across the road from Temple Underground station (District and Circle lines). Blackfriars station, with Thameslink and Southeastern services, is also close. It is a 10-minute walk from Embankment station through Victoria Embankment Gardens and under 15 minutes from Waterloo.
The ship is moored at Temple Stairs on the Victoria Embankment.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
The former livery hall spaces on board can be hired for meetings, lunches, conferences, weddings and Christmas events, or the whole ship can be booked for a private event. Desk and office space is also rented on board.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Good to know | The Trust runs an education programme tied to the national curriculum; check the website for current availability. The ship also takes part in events such as the VE Day anniversary programme. |
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