The holidays are in full swing now and when a friend asked last night if we had enjoyed the first week off I had to question that it was only a week? Just a week in and I am exhausted! Now, I’m not blaming the children at all but what with packing and sorting and throwing away in preparation for ‘our move’ I haven’t sat down or even had a lie in *sob*. However, we were lucky to be invited to the launch of HMS Belfast’s new Gun Turret Experience in London last week.

For those of you that don’t know HMS Belfast was launched in 1938 and served in both the Second World War and the Korean War. Now a branch of the Imperial War museum, this great warship which is moored on the River Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge can be explored to give us a glimpse into the life of a sailor.

The brand new Gun Turret Experience takes place inside one of the original Triple Gun Turrets and takes the observer through an interactive  journey following a sailor on board HMS Belfast on Boxing day in 1943. The gun is raised ready to fire, the turret sways and the floors shakes as the gun shoots. It was very interesting and informative and the children were also mesmerized with what was happening. Little M was a little bit nervous when the ground beneath him shook and I think parents with very young children need to be aware and hold on to them but it is not something that they should miss.

The children were very impressed that the HMS Belfast had a prison on board and this is their “help we want out!” faces…honestly, those faces were put on just for the photo! They were equally impressed with the tuck shop on board, “What they had Coke in those days Mum?” and fascinated to see an operation being carried out in the Ship’s hospital.

There are nine decks to explore so if going with very young children go prepared with your muscles flexed because there are lots and lots of very steep steps to climb, some nearly vertical! All part of the fun though. One place they had to be dragged away from was the interactive operations room where there is a plotting table game using a simulated radar which reconstructs what it would be have been like to participate in a real life navel operation. The children loved moving their ships, planes and helicopters into place.

All in all, it is a great place to take children, fascinating and steeped in history any child with just a small interest in wanting to know more cannot fail to want to explore this ship. If you can’t wait here is a short video tour.

The people at HMS Belfast have kindly given me a family ticket for one lucky person to win but to enter you must answer the following question and leave either an email address or twitter id so I can let you know if you have won.

Which year was HMS Belfast launched? If you’ve read the post from the beginning you will know the answer. 😉

a) 1983

b) 1839

c) 1938

The competition closes at midnight on Sunday 14th August 2011.