Victorian Fort Events

Monday 23 July – Sunday 5 August

Come and discover history on the hill with Victorian-themed activities every day plus a special Victorian weekend (28 & 29 July), with traditional fairground rides and gun-firing demonstrations by the Portsdown Artillery Volunteers.

Fort Nelson is the best preserved of the chain of forts built during Queen Victoria’s reign to protect Portsmouth Harbour from attack by the French.

Now restored to its Victorian splendour you can discover what life was like on Portsdown Hill at the end of the 19th century for the engineers and navvies who built it and the Victorian volunteer soldiers who were stationed there.

CRAFT ACTIVITY AREA

Daily

Free make and take craft activities for all ages

- Design and create your own Victorian postcard

HAVE-A-GO GUN DRILL

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays

Learn to load one of the Big Guns just like a Victorian Volunteer.
£2 per participant
Suitable for ages 6+

GUIDED TOURS

Tuesdays and Thursdays
11am & 2pm

Join one of our guided tours and find out all about this fascinating Victorian fort.
£1 per person

GUN FIRINGS

Daily
12 noon & 3pm

Experience the power and might of the Big Guns. The immense 25-pounder Field Gun from World War II will be fired twice a day.

WORLD AT FORT NELSON PRIZE DRAW TRAIL

Daily

As the Great Britain welcomes the world this summer can you discover how many countries from around the globe are represented in the Royal Armouries International collection of big guns.

All correct entries will be entered into a prize draw on Monday 3 September for the opportunity to win afternoon tea for 4 at Cafe 1871 plus one lucky person gets to fire the 25-pounder Field Gun*.

• You must be 14+ to fire the gun, prize-winners under 14 can nominate someone to fire the gun on their behalf, the under 14 prize winner will do the countdown on the Parade.

Special Victorian-Themed Weekend Event
Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 July

More info ›