Christmas at Fort Nelson

Meet costumed characters, enjoy old time entertainments and watch historical reconstructions of Christmas in the 1870s and 1914.

Castle Coldbitz Comedy

Enjoy Dad’s Army style wartime comedy as the prisoners of war at “Castle Coldbitz” put on a Christmas Show for their German captors as cover for an escape attempt!
11am
12.30pm
1.30pm
3.25pm

Victorian Garrison 32 pounder Gun Firing

Work at the Fort can’t stop for Christmas! Victorian soldiers of The Portsdown Artillery Volunteers will ‘stand to’ in the smoky, atmospheric confines of the North Caponier defences, and demonstrate how to repel a French invader from the Fort at close quarters - it’s the closest you’ll ever get to a firing cannon, unless you’re on the receiving end!
11am
12pm
2pm
3pm

Victorian Punch & Judy

Traditional fun with Pride of Wessex – That’s the way to do it!
12pm
1.30pm
3pm

1914 Christmas Truce in the Trenches

First World War gun-firing and depiction of the unique events that took place in No-Mans Land on Christmas Day, 1914.
11.30am
1pm
2.30pm

Dressing–up Fun (in the Education Room)

Try on armour, helmets, uniforms and period dress of all kinds – fun for children of all ages! Don’t forget your camera! All day, with break for lunch 12.30pm-1.30pm.

Event Timetable

10.30am	Fort Opens
11am	“Castle Coldbitz” – Enjoy Dad’s Army style wartime comedy as the prisoners of war at “Castle Coldbitz” put on a Christmas Show for their German captors as cover for an escape attempt!
Also:	Thunder of the Guns
11.30am	Christmas Truce, 1914
12noon	Thunder of the Guns
Also:	Punch & Judy Show
12.30pm	“Castle Coldbitz” – Dad’s Army style wartime comedy show.
1pm	Christmas Truce, 1914
1.30pm	“Castle Coldbitz” – Dad’s Army style wartime comedy show.
Also:	Punch & Judy Show
2pm	Thunder of the Guns
2.30pm	Christmas Truce, 1914
3pm	Thunder of the Guns
Also:	Punch & Judy Show
3.25pm	“Castle Coldbitz” – Dad’s Army style wartime comedy show.
4pm	Fort Closes

No need to book – admission to Fort remains free

Visitor Information

The location address, map and a guide to getting here can be found on the Visitor Information page