Fort Nelson

Heritage Open Days at Fort Nelson will be taking place on the 12th and 13th September 2026. Visitors will be able to join the curators for a special tour of the West Tunnel - an area not usually open to the public.

Tours of the West Tunnel will be running at selected times - 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm. Capacity is limited to 12 people per tour and is recommended for ages 12+.

Tours will last 30 minutes but please allow time before your chosen slot to check in at the Visitor Centre.

Fort Nelson was built in the 1860s to protect against a potential invasion by the French, which never materialised.
Although never used for its original purpose the Fort played a significant role in both World Wars; as barracks for troops waiting to be deployed to the front line in the First, and as an anti-aircraft ammunition supply depot during the Second.
Today it stands as the finest Victorian fort of its kind and as part of the Royal Armouries is home to the national collection of artillery

Timings

Saturday 12 September:

11am | 12pm | 2pm | 3pm | 4pm

Sunday 13 September:

11am | 12pm | 2pm | 3pm | 4pm

Location & directions

The Royal Armouries, Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill Road, Fareham, Hampshire, PO17 6AN

Directions:

The event will be taking place at Royal Armouries, Fort Nelson, on top of Portsdown Hill in Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Contact on day:

Elizabeth Puddick

Telephone number:

+441329233734

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Due to limited capacities, please pre-book your place on a tour at https://royalarmouries.org/fort-nelson

Booking contact name:

Elizabeth Puddick

Booking telephone number:

+441329233734

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://royalarmouries.org/fort-nelson

Booking opens:

16 Jun 2026 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

The West Tunnel is partially accessible. Some sections of the floor have not been restored and the surface is uneven. Please wear suitable footwear and clothing. Please note - as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, there are some physical aspects of Fort Nelson that cannot be altered, such as the steps of varying widths and heights, and changes of surface from paving stones to gravel and grass. However, we have an installed lift and ramps to provide access to most parts of the site.

Additional information

The West Tunnel is not usually open to the public. The tours are running as part of the Heritage Open Days Festival.

Max number of people:

12

Estimated duration:

0 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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