Artillery Hall

Guns through the ages

This vast structure fitted between the two surviving Second World War magazines contains many imposing exhibits that are too large to be displayed in the Barracks. These exhibits constitute an exceptionally impressive sequence of artillery development from the earliest times to the later 20th century.

The chronological layout is divided into specific kinds of artillery. Naval guns, field artillery from smoothbore to quick firing, anti-aircraft, with examples of the infamous German ‘88’ and the dependable British 3.7 inch, anti-tank. There is also a rare German Gerlich ‘squeeze-bore’; recoilless; and self propelled guns, in the form of the British ‘Sexton’ 25 pounder.

There are pieces from the First Gulf War, including a captured GH-N 45, the long range gun-howitzer designed by Gerald Bull. But confronting the visitor on entry are the splendid Great Turkish Bombard and Bull’s Iraqi ‘Supergun’ tubes of 1000mm and 350mm calibre.

Notable objects located in this gallery

Scary Horned Helmet

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Paranormal Programme: Ghost Walk

A guided Ghost Walk around Fort Nelson.

04 December

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Did you know?

Thunder birds are go!

Artillery pieces before about 1700 were often classified by names. A rare type of very big gun was known as a basilisk, a more common long powerful gun was known as a culverin while smaller versions were named after birds of prey such saker and falcon.

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