HQS Wellington, the former warship which acts as both a visitor attraction and the HQ of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, has launched a major direct mail campaign ahead of its reopening to the public, after being closed for over two years due to the pandemic.
The last surviving convoy escort ship from World War Two is moored on the Victoria Embankment in London, and is reopening to visitors on Easter Sunday, and on most Sundays and Mondays during the summer.
Using data provided by REaD Group, the mailing campaign flags up a raft of new activities on board, hosted by registered charity the Wellington Trust, with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Areas of the ship in her World War Two naval career are brought to life by new augmented reality attractions, including “Follow the Buoys”, which allows visitors to steer the ship using the ship’s wheel and fire hedgehog bombs at incoming targets, complete with radar tracking.
Visitors can also experience the sights and sounds of the Wellington’s Engine Room during her active service, with an AR experience showing how the engines worked.
In addition, there is the Exhibition of South Asian Seafarers, who supported the British crews and played a significant role in Britain’s maritime history, but often faced challenges of integration.
HQS Wellington is also home to a vast maritime collection, detailing the UK’s rich seafaring heritage and is aiming to serve as a destination for school trips, targeting deprived areas of London.
Marketing and development trustee Jenny Moseley, the former DMA chair, said: “While Covid prevented us from sharing the wonders of HQS Wellington for such a long time, it has given us a window to prepare unique and exciting experiences for our visitors. And now we are ready at last to share them by using this ship, a national treasure, as the catalyst for entertainment and learning for adults and children alike.”
For more details visit the HQS Wellington website>
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