Fort Nelson
FREE DAYS OUT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
The displays include the Great Turkish Bombard of 1464, that once protected the Dardanelles, Saddam Hussein’s infamous ‘Supergun’and Mallet’s Mortar one of 3 Guinness world record holders on show.
Covering every period of history from every corner of the world the collection is brought vividly to life every day with the live firing of one of the field guns.
Fort Nelson was built in the 1860s, as part of a chain of fortifications protecting the great naval harbour of Portsmouth in Hampshire and its Royal Dockyard from a feared French invasion.
Covering nearly 19 acres and now fully restored, Fort Nelson sits majestically atop Portsdown Hill, with amazing views of the Solent and the Meon Valley. The Fort stands today as a monument to the skills and ingenuity of Victorian engineering and architecture.
Opened in 1995 as home to the Royal Armouries collection of artillery, Fort Nelson has over 350 big guns and historic cannon on display, all part of the national collection of arms and armour.
Visitor Information
Fort Nelson is only a short distance from the town of Fareham and Portsmouth.
For more directions and a map to the museum click on the Google map logo below.
To ensure a trouble free journey get live road traffic information from www.keepmoving.co.uk
Opening times
| Summer | April – October |
|---|---|
| Daily | 10am – 5pm |
| except Wednesday | 11am – 5pm |
| Winter | November – March |
|---|---|
| Daily | 10.30am – 4pm |
| except Wednesday | 11.30am – 4pm |
The Fort is closed 24-26 December
(inclusive)
Contact details
General museum enquiries
Tel: 01329 233 734
Email: fnenquiries@armouries.org.uk
Venue hire enquiries:
Tel: 01329 848516
Fax: 01329 822092
Email: fnfunctions@armouries.org.uk
Admission
Free: some events may be chargeable.
Last admission is one hour before closing
Address
Royal Armouries Museum
Fort Nelson
Portsdown Hill Road
Fareham
PO17 6AN
Travel
Car
- Exit the M27 at junction 11.
- Take the exit signposted for Gosport and Fareham.
- Stay in the left-hand lane, this will take you down a slip road to a roundabout.
Landmark: A railway viaduct on your left.
- At this roundabout take the first left turn, signposted A27 Portchester.
Landmark: Delme Arms Public House on left.
- Stay in the left-hand lane.
- Go through the first set of traffic lights.
- At the second set take a left-hand turn into Down End Road.
- Follow the road up and around for approximately ½ mile.
- Fort Nelson will appear on your left-hand side.
Brown tourist signs for Royal Armouries will help guide you on this route.
Ensure a troublefree journey and check for the latest road traffic information at www.keepmoving.co.uk
Bus
At present there is no bus service to Fort Nelson.
Taxis
Taxi services are widely available in the local area.
Parking
Car parking is freely available to the public opposite the Fort, but across a busy road.
