1. Conference & Event Facilities

The Royal Armouries also provides corporate and conference facilities at Fort Nelson and Leeds.

2. Fort Nelson

Admission is FREE

Summer:
Daily: 10am – 5pm
(Wednesdays 11am – 5pm)

Winter:
Daily 10.30am – 4pm
(Wednesdays 11.30am – 4pm)

Closed 24-26 December

Tel: 01329 233 734
fnenquiries@armouries.org.uk

3. Fort Nelson Events

Big guns
Gun firing
Large scale military tattoos and fly pasts
Explore underground passages
Children’s activities

Click here for more information about current events at Fort Nelson.

4. Palmerston Forts Society

The Palmerston Forts Society has its headquarters at Fort Nelson and meets monthly.

5. Museum History

The Royal Armouries is Britain’s oldest museum, and one of the oldest museums in the world.

6. Fort Nelson History

The history of Fort Nelson, from its origin as one of Palmertson’s Forts to the present day as the home of the Royal Armouries national artillery collection.

7. Events

For high drama and explosive action, Fort Nelson is the place to visit! Enjoy large-scale historical battle re-enactments, exciting hands-on children’s activities and much, much more!

8. History of the Collection

A history of the Royal Armouries and its collection from its founding in the Tower of London to the present day.

9. What is Artillery?

This gallery gives visitors an introduction to the history of artillery.

10. Key Stage 2

Key stage 2 sessions available at the Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson.

11. The Victorians

What better place to study the Victorians then at the Royal Armouries in our Victorian Fort, Fort Nelson.

12. World War Two

Our World War II programme focuses on Portsmouth during the Blitz, the role of Fort Nelson and the “bigger picture”.

13. Key Stage 3

Key stage 3 sessions available at the Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson.

14. World War One

Examine real World War I artefacts, dress as soldiers (sorry, no trench-foot allowed), tour the Fort that was used as a transition camp before “Our Boys” went to France, and compete in fast-paced gun drill.

15. World War Two

Explore what really happened to Portsmouth during the Blitz. Find out what role your Great-grandparent’s had in this heroic time and experience the fire-power of a World War II gun.

16. Key Stage 4 History

Key stage 4 history sessions available at the Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson.

17. Gifted and Talented Groups

Fort Nelson lends itself to a wide variety of studies suited to Gifted and Talented pupils. These fun and exciting days are crammed full of teamwork, challenges and stimulation, that ends in the group building and firing their own Medieval trebuchet.

18. AS and A Level

The Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson offers a number of sessions aimed at AS and A level students.

19. Leisure and Tourism

The Royal Armouries makes an excellent case study for exploring the setting up and operation of a major attraction. Students can investigate the Museum’s location, accessibility, marketing and customer services.

20. Design and Technology

Our collection is a unique resource for students of design and technology. Using the collection to design and create war machines such as a trebuchet, challenges students with real problems which a study of our collection can help them to solve.

21. Forge

Part of this gallery represents a blacksmiths forge. Many of the earliest guns were made of wrought iron using traditional blacksmithing skills.

22. Foundry

This gallery is an atmospheric rather than exact recreation of two areas of the Royal Bronze Foundry at Woolwich during the late 18th century.

23. Fortifications

Fort Nelson is a historic monument, restored to how it would have been in the 1890’s.

24. Main Gate to Barrack Rooms

An overview of the areas of Fort Nelson open to visitors: from the Main Gate to the Barrack Rooms.

25. Officers' Mess

The Officers’ Mess displays at Fort Nelson.

26. Tunnels, Main Magazine, North Caponier

The tunnels, main magazine and north caponier are open to visitors at Fort Nelson.

27. North Mortar Battery

The North Mortar Battery is fitted with the correct armament of 13 inch cast-iron mortars which are fired on occasion by the Portsdown Artillery Volunteers.

28. Ordnance Society

The Ordnance Society was intended to promote, encourage and coordinate the study of all aspects of the history of ordnance and artillery.

29. Foundation and Key Stage 1

This new workshop, recently launched for Key Stage One school groups offers a fast-paced and interactive look at the life and work of Florence Nightingale.

30. Maps to Museum

Route maps to Royal Armouries Fort Nelson for visitors to download and print out.

31. Be Inspired-by some of our projects

We thought you might find inspiration in some of the projects we have been involved in recently. If you are interested in working with us on a project please contact us.