About Us

Conveniently moored opposite Temple tube station on the Embankment, HQS Wellington floats on the Thames, ideally situated for West End and City. Her distinctive white hull dominates this stretch of the river and, having retained her original appearance, forms a perfect backdrop for any maritime production – or just somewhere a bit different. As a venue for all manner of functions (and licenced for weddings) the ship is busy throughout the year, particularly in the summer months when the open ... Moredecks come into their own.

HMS Wellington entered service in 1935 as an Imperial Patrol Sloop, based on the New Zealand station. During the six years of World War 2, the ship provided escort to 103 convoys in the eastern Atlantic and rescued hundreds of survivors. At the end of the war she was laid up for disposal but in 1947 she was sold to the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, a Livery Company of the City of London formed in 1926 (and the first new Livery for more than two centuries). On completion of her conversion, Head Quarters Ship Wellington arrived at her Temple Stairs berth in December 1948 where, except for three short periods of dry-docking, she has remained ever since.

HQS Wellington was honoured with World Ship Trust status in 2004 and was transferred by the Honourable Company to the Wellington Trust, a registered charity a year later, to ensure her long-term future. She provides a significant reminder of the link between the British Merchant and Royal Navies as they work closely together to maintain Britain’s trade routes to the world and in recent years the ship has become an important learning facility for children, to learn about our maritime heritage and the sea service.
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