Next week marks a significant military anniversary, and lots of military things will be happening along the Thames as a result.

And details have finally been confirmed — including public tours of HMS Illustrious.

Lusty Up Close

As part of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, three military ships will visit London, including the ex-aircraft carrier, HMS Illustrious, and there will be an aircraft flypast over London.

The agenda is:

Tuesday (7th May)

  • HMS Blyth arrives and moors next to St Katherine’s Dock (noon-1pm)
  • HMS Edinburgh passes through Tower Bridge and moors up next to HMS Belfast (1-2pm).

Wednesday (8th May)

  • HMS Illustrious arrives in Greenwich (12:30pm)
  • Royal Navy Parade from St Paul’s Cathedral to Mansion House (6pm)

Thursday (9th May)

  • Fleet Air Arm flypast over Greenwich (7pm)
    • Warning – not on main website, but still on secondary page, might be a mistake as main page lists Saturday.

Friday (10th May)

  • Ship’s company at Tower of London for Ceremony of the Dues (12:15pm)
    • This is visible to the public who are inside the Tower.

Saturday (11th May)

  • HMS Illustrious Open to Visitors at Greenwich (10am-2pm)
    • Likely queuing by the Greenwich visitor centre — arrive early!
    • Also, I see this so often at these things – it’s an aircraft carrier, its not really suitable for prams.
  • Merchant Navy Memorial Service at Trinity Gardens (1pm)
  • HMS President and HMS Blyth — both at Wapping will be open to the public (10-2pm)
  • Fleet Air Arm flypast over Greenwich (7pm)

Sunday (12th May)

  • HMS Illustrious Open to Visitors at Greenwich (10.30am-2pm)
  • HMS President and HMS Blyth — both at Wapping will be open to the public (10-2pm)

Monday (13th May)

  • HMS Illustrious and HMS Blyth leave London at 3.30pm and 4.45pm respectively.
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18 comments
  1. brian says:

    We’ll be there ,,that’s the family that is,,nephew crew member,,helicopter technician,,SPLICE THE MAINBRACE.

  2. Adam Whitehouse says:

    Hi

    What are the arrangements for visiting? Do you just turn up or is booking or ticket required? Also where will she be moored up?

    Many thanks

    Adam

    • IanVisits says:

      Turn up and join the queue.

      As to where she is moored – Greenwich isn’t that big, you’ll not miss the ship!

  3. Edwin says:

    Nearest rail station please? Would it be Cutty Sark on DLR?

  4. jacky carter says:

    please sort out the incoirrect dates on this visits sites, very confusng from Thursday onwards, many thanks

  5. jacky carter says:

    apologies for typo

  6. brian says:

    Hi,how do we board lusty,gangway,or ladder? Thanks

  7. Craig says:

    The boats when they moor are normally just to the left of the foot tunnel…Nearest DLR is Cutty Sark and there are plenty of buses too.

  8. brian says:

    Ok ,don’t no if Craig,was replying to me,sorry if it was’nt, but the question is from shore to ship

  9. IslandDweller says:

    @Brian. This is how it worked when HMS Ocean was at Greenwich last year – and I’m assuming same arrangements will apply this time. You assemble/queue at edge of Naval College (near Cutty Sark/Foot tunnel). Any prams or buggys you bring are left here. You then board a shuttle launch which takes you a floating pontoon alongside, and from that climb a (steepish) ladder to get onboard. The visits to HMS Ocean last year were a very slick and well oiled process.

  10. c collins says:

    Hi, do you know how much the tickets are?

  11. IslandDweller says:

    Visits are free, no ticket.

  12. LindsayD says:

    Do you think it will be accessible for the elderly. My grandad is pretty steady on his feet but not sure I could get him going up a steep ladder etc.

    It seems a little weird asking this question because it feels those that were part of the history should be able to partake. I just don’t want to get him there and then not be able to get him on it!

  13. Vic says:

    Well Lusty is here for an extra night it would seem. The winds where too high so she should be leabing at 0506 tomorrow morning. Not sure about HMS Blyth yet though

  14. Jay Garrett says:

    Waited on riverbank from 3.30pm this afternoon for hms illustrious, due to strong winds we guessed she would not be sailing today, can anyone please update with new times for both ships please.Nothing on news or anywhere else.

  15. Peter Stockwell says:

    H.M.S. Illustrious was due to visit Royal Portbury Dock on the 7th May but it has been cancelled WHY?

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