Experience 'Life At Sea' and New Summer BBQ Package On Board HMS Belfast

Build your own warship, complete with guns and crew, and launch it at sea on an interactive computer game. Lift and move genuine pneumatic tools and machinery used to make the wartime ships that helped bring victory to the Allies and evaluate the hydrodynamic capabilities of different hull forms with a fully functional drag test tank. These are some of the highlights at the new 'Life at Sea' exhibition on board HMS Belfast, charting the history of shipbuilding in the UK Shipbuilding through the ages.

HMS Belfast has launched the 'Life at Sea' drinks and canapé package which makes great use of this stunning exhibition space. The vibrant colours, interactive displays, film footage and computer generated exhibits creates a wonderful atmosphere with interesting focal points to get your guests talking.

'Life at Sea' exhibition space can be used in the evening from 6.30pm until 10.30pm for up to 40 people for a canapé and drinks reception, and can also be used as pre dinner drinks area in conjunction with the Ship's company dining hall. The 'Life at Sea' exhibition space costs £250.00 to hire. Canapés start from £23.50pp and drinks start from £10 per head. (Prices exclude VAT). Guests can enjoy exquisite bites of hot and cold canapés including Mediterranean Vegetable Bruschetta with Pesto and shards of Parmesan Cheese, Traditional Chicken Caesar Salad in a crisp Filo Basket, Spinach & Ricotta Tartlets served with Confit of Red Peppers and Rosemary Lamb Kofta with a Minted Yoghurt Dip.

For 50 years, between 1870 and 1920, Britain's ship building industry was the largest in the world - with a workforce of hundreds of thousands producing up to eighty per cent of the world's ships at the industry's peak following the First World War. The 'Life at Sea' exhibition brings to life the science, engineering and social history of the shipbuilding industry in Great Britain. Visitors can see how the art of shipbuilding has evolved, from the wooden vessels built during the 17th century, to the iron ships of the 19th century, through to today's hi-tech ships. Through interactive displays, they can relive the sights and sounds of the very shipyard where HMS Belfast was built.

Brad King, Director of HMS Belfast, said: "Britain's heritage as a nation of shipbuilders shaped our recent history as a leading Global power. We hope to educate and inspire visitors from all around the world with a reminder of its proud shipbuilding past and Britain's maritime industry, still vital today."

The exhibition is being run in association with sponsor The History Channel. Other sponsors include Shell and The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851.

_Sizzle This Summer On Board London's Iconic HMS Belfast_

*Summer BBQ Packages on HMS BELFAST*

Put on your best dress and soak up the atmosphere and beauty of London on a balmy summer evening, and experience a part of the nation's naval heritage. Enjoy stunning views towards Tower Bridge and Tower of London from the deck of HMS Belfast while London sparkles at night. While the band sends out sultry jazz classics, relax with a glass of Pimm's and take your chance at the traditional wooden game of quoits on deck.

Permanently moored on the River Thames in the heart of London HMS Belfast is arguably one of the best summer party venues in London. After such success last year, barbecues will again be held on the open boat deck to delight up to 350 guests. This year we are offering an ice cream upgrade to clients for £8.50pp, which entitles guests to unlimited cones and scoops of delicious ice cream for one hour.

Choose a Sailor's BBQ package from £69.50 or Captain's BBQ package from £79.50. The Captain's package includes venue hire, delicious chilled Champagne cocktail reception, tasty nibbles, 2 hours unlimited drinks, live acoustic jazz band, complimentary Pimm's bar, bunting, Quoits game and quiz. Barbecue only packages start at £32.00 per person plus room hire.

The Captain's BBQ menu features summer recipes such as butterfly chicken marinated with lemon and thyme served with sweet peppers, skewers of tiger prawns, salmon and sweet peppers marinated with lemon and chilli, char-grilled Mediterranean vegetables as well as sirloin of beef marinated with garlic and rosemary.

For those who wish to indulge further, and revel in the historical surroundings of HMS Belfast there are private tours by HMS Belfast veterans, or being piped on board just like the Admiral would have been! To add vibrancy and excitement to the evening, bring in professional dancers who can present a lively and entertaining demonstration in how to jitterbug - teambuilding anyone? Or why not have our period actors recreate a new recruit's introduction onboard the Ship - with you and your guests as the recruits! Comedy and a little education in one well dressed package.

HMS Belfast was launched in March 1938 and served throughout the Second World War, playing a leading role in the Battle of North Cape and in the Normandy Landings. She later supported UN forces in Korea and remained in service until 1965. In 1971 she was saved for the nation as a unique reminder of Britain's Naval Heritage and is the only surviving example of the great fleets of big gun armoured warships built for the Royal Navy in the first half of the twentieth century.

HMS Belfast is now owned and managed by the Imperial War Museum and is a popular tourist attraction permanently moored between London Bridge and Tower Bridge.

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