Fort Nelson Visitor Information Centre

Fort Nelson, Royal Armouries. Portsdown Hill road, Fareham, PO17 6AN United Kingdom.Opening times are Open daily 10 am – 5 pmAdmission Price Free admissionParking £3 per day 20 allocated parking spaces for visitors with disabilitiesToilets Accessible toilets and toilets with baby changing facilities are available in the visitor centre and some galleries.On the 6th July 2018, I visited this large Fort on the hillside overlooking Portsmouth Harbour. It was a hot sunny day during the heat wave that we were having. The entrance to this marvellous Fort is free however be prepared to pay £3 parking fee then take the ticket to the shop area to convert it to a ticket for entry. The views from here are wonderful only being spoiled by the pylons and electrical wires stretching across the skyline. The staff were very helpful and the coffee shop a great place to enjoy snacks and a drink. The displays were well laid out, well most of the work was still being carried out here. But then there is enough to satisfy most people on a free entry. The damp, cool underground walkways were a bit daunting but unusual to walk along. The displays are perhaps still waiting for better placement yet only the entrance part did they have a purpose-built display area. As long as you remember it takes time and money to get these places back to original and for me, it was a very enjoyable day out. The huge 18-inch Howitzer was massive, how they ever built this in 1918 is a miracle.Near to this is the Nelson Monument this monument, 120 feet tall on a granite base, stands on Portsdown Hill about 2 miles ( 3.2 km ) north of Portsmouth Harbour on the south coast of England. It was the eventual outcome of a movement started during Horatio Nelson's lifetime to perpetuate the glorious victories of the British Navy. By 1799 Nelson's prize agent Alexander Davison was able to use the Nelson name to spearhead a campaign, to honour Britain’s naval glory and pre-eminence.Fort Nelson, in the civil parish of Boarhunt in the English county of Hampshire, is one of five defensive forts built on the summit of Portsdown Hill in the 1860’s, overlooking the important naval base of Portsmouth. It is now part of the Royal Armouries, housing their collection of artillery, and a Grade I Listed Building. Fort Nelson is one of five Portsdown Forts. Built as a result of the 1859 Royal Commission by Lord Palmerston to prevent a French land attack, on the Portsmouth dockyard only 8 kilometres away, because the older Hilsea Lines at the bottom of the ridge were considered insufficient. A series of 6 forts were built along the 7 miles ( 10 km ) of the ridge. From west to east they are forts Fareham, Wallington, Nelson, Southwick, Widley and Purbrook. The line was finished off at the eastern end with Crookhorn Redoubt and Farlington Redoubt. A garrison of around 200 volunteers accompanied by regular army officers would have manned the fort in time of war. Construction was protracted and Fort Nelson wasn't fully armed until the 1890’s. The fort was disarmed in 1907 and then used for accommodation. In 1938, it was converted to an area anti-aircraft ammunition store; ten large magazines were built on the parade ground. Fort Nelson was abandoned in the 1950’s.

Great place to visit for a couple of hours. Lots to see and exploring the cold tunnels was fun. Lots of information, lots of canons to see and helpful friendly staff too. Great cafe and gift shop. Amazing when the museum is free and you just pay for parking. Worth a visit with or without kids. No park but there are areas outside for kids to run about. Very informative and fascinating.

Breleant day

In-depth explanations of all of their (mostly one-of-a-kind) centuries old war equipment. An underground network of tunnels with lots of information inside. Very well-preserved historic base on Portsdown Hill. Highly recommended for anyone with any interest in Portsmouth’s history.

A lovely old Victorian sea fort with historical artifacts inside. Some very interesting items!

The Fort Nelson Visitor Centre is the reception point for the whole complex. It contains an information centre, café, small gift shop, and a children’s play and activity area. The café is quite large with a seating capacity of 50. Although small, the gift shop has particularly relevant and interesting books available for purchase. The state-of-the-art Visitor Centre is well designed, modern, airy and has good natural light, very clean and engaging. It's also well equipped with accessible toilets and toilets with baby changing facilities, and also has two wheelchairs available. The Visitor Centre counters are also wheelchair accessible. Interestingly, the Visitor centre is buried under an embankment and covered in grass in front of the fort. This suits the subterranean nature of the fort itself and allows it to blend in with the surrounding landscape. We found the Visitor Centre to be quite welcoming with super friendly staff.

Definitely a great place for kids of all ages. We come back all the time.

Brilliant day out with kids lots to see kids loved it very interesting history. I do recommend visiting. Pushchair friendly there is a cafe and gift shop.