JOIN US FOR A WILD DAY OUT AT FORT NELSON - Thursday, 7 June 2012
Head to the Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson over the Fathers’ Day weekend (June 16/17) for a wild day out for all the family.
Explore this 19-acre site – high on Portsdown Hill – and use your investigation skills to find plants, insects and animals that live and flourish here.
Bio Blitz is the first event of its kind at the Victorian fort and visitors can:
- Enjoy a wildlife discovery tour, in areas of the site that are normally out of bounds.
- Bring cameras and have a go at wildlife photography and land art.
- Discover how Fort Nelson was transformed from a derelict bramble patch to a national museum.
- Get stuck into “wild” craft activities.
- Get up close and personal with birds of prey (Sunday, June 17, only).
Fort education officer Eileen Clegg said, “Fort Nelson is located on chalk Downland, providing an ideal habitat for a wide range of rare animals, birds, insects and plants. This weekend is a great way for children and adults to discover more in an informative but fun and stimulating way.
“It’s Fathers’ Day weekend, so dads and granddads can also enjoy touring the new-look museum – home to the national collection of big guns.”
Visitors can explore the Victorian fort, complete with new galleries, tunnels to explore, ramparts, Café 1871, and daily gun firings. Museum admission and parking are free – admission to Bio Blitz activities costs £3 per adult, and £2 per child.
Built in the 1860s to protect the South Coast against feared invasion by the French, Fort Nelson showcases one of the world’s finest collections of artillery and cannon, from across the ages and from all corners of the globe.
Last year, this unique heritage attraction underwent a £3.5m redevelopment to create a museum for the 21st century, supported by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
For more information and the latest news about the Royal Armouries:
Royal Armouries website
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...ENDS...
Notes to editors
- Royal Armouries is the national museum of arms and armour and has sites in Leeds, HM Tower of London, Fort Nelson and Louisville, Kentucky. It is the first British national museum to open a permanent presence in another country
- Admission to the museum is free. However, there may be a small charge for some special events.
- Open all year daily, 10am-5pm. Closed 24-25 December
- Information Line: 0113 220 1999
- Website: www.royalarmouries.org
- The Royal Armouries Museum should not be confused with Royal Armouries International plc, the private sector corporate hospitality business.
Download the PDF press release.