When in Belfast, no doubt you will find yourself at one point at the Titanic Quarter. A short walk from the city centre of Belfast, you cross the Queen’s Bridge and turn left, following the River Lagen.
Belfast has managed to build a thriving tourist industry out of their shipping history, particularly their connection with the ill-fated ocean liner, Titanic which was built by shipbuilding company, Harland and Wolff in the spot where the Titanic Quarter is now situated.
Titanic Museum
The main feature and arguably one of the best museums you can visit is the centrepiece of the Titanic Quarter, the Titanic Museum. Taking yourself on a self-guided tour through nine galleries, you will begin with the thriving shipbuilding industry in Belfast and the dockyards where Titanic was built.
No matter how old you are, or how little or lot you already think you know about the Titanic, the museum is state of the art, interactive with many multimedia displays and you’re guaranteed to learn something new. From the windows of the Launch area, you can see the skeleton outline of where the Titanic was originally built. You then head to the Fit out, showing reconstruction of the different class cabins, through to the Maiden Voyage. The Sinking and Aftermath follow, and a poignant display of the wreck of the Titanic below your feet on a large floor screen. Lastly you move through to the myths which surround the Titanic and Hollywood’s depictions of the sinking of the Great Ocean Liner.
It takes approximately two hours to wander through the museum, and then afterwards you can grab a bite to eat at the on site cafe, or just outside the door is Hickson’s Point Pub, an authentic 1900s shipyard pub with great food, music and traditional music played.
Titanic Hotel
For those who want to take their Titanic obsession to the next level, or who want to stay at one of Belfast’s luxury hotels, then a room at the Titanic Hotel might be something to put on your list.
Located in the former headquarters of Harland and Wolff, the ship builders of Titanic, the hotel is a beautiful example of Victorian architecture. The suites are all tastefully decorated, albeit with a nautical, art deco theme.
In particular, head to the Drawing Office Two room. It has an amazing three-storey high vaulted ceiling, but the piece de resistance really is the bar, which features Villeroy and Boch tiles encircling the bar which were the same ones which were used for the swimming pool and First Class bathrooms on the Titanic.
The Wolff Grill
Found within The Titanic Hotel, is a refined restaurant, The Wolff Grill. It’s open to both in house guests and other diners who wish to take in a part of Belfast history. The menu boasts locally sourced ingredients and has a gorgeous view across to the historic slipways and the magnificent Titanic Museum which is a sight to behold when lit up at night. The menu includes such items as Halibut, Venison and Guinea Fowl so it may not be for the less adventurous diner. They also cater for dietary requirements and have a separate Vegan/Vegetarian menu.
So Much More Than Titanic
The Titanic Quarter is so much more than the Titanic though, so be sure to take a stroll through the area, or jump on one of the Belfast Hop on Hop Off buses and get off within the precinct. It’s also home to PRONI (the Public Records of Northern Ireland), great for those who are researching their Northern Irish ancestry. There’s also We Are Vertigo – an indoor skydiving centre, inflatable park and an incredible Ninja Warrior course for all ages. The Titanic Quarter is also home to Titanic Studios which was where many of the scenes from Game of Thrones was filmed. Unfortunately, at this stage there is no tour of the Studios but across the water you can see one of the sets of Game of Thrones. Of course, the Titanic Quarter wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Belfast’s iconic Samson and Goliath, the gantry cranes which are located on Harland and Wolff’s Shipyard and symbolise Belfast’s shipbuilding history.
The Titanic Quarter can be reached by crossing Queen’s Bridge and turning left, following the River Lagen.
For more about our trip to Belfast, check out these articles –
The Merchant Hotel
Dinner in The Great Room, The Merchant Hotel
