Defences & Discovery: Fort Nelson Revealed
Fort Nelson, Portsmouth · 21 October to 31 March 2027
Image: Fort NelsonGuided 50-minute tours of Fort Nelson, near Portsmouth, trace the fort's origins in the 1870s and its roles in the First and Second World Wars. Tours run at 11am, 1pm and 2:30pm on listed dates between 21 October 2026 and 31 March 2027. Tours suit visitors aged 12 and over, with under 16s accompanied by an adult.
Highlights
- Tours at 11am, 1pm and 2:30pm, 50 minutes each
- Covers the fort's history from the 1870s to the Second World War
- Tickets from £5 per person, booking recommended, capacity 20 per tour
Getting there
Fort Nelson, PO17 6AN
Get directionsChecked on 19 October 2026 against royalarmouries.org, royalarmouries.org. Details change, so please confirm with the organiser before you travel. How we check
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More things to do in Portsmouth
Nearby
Image: Fort NelsonOuter Defences Tour
A 90 minute outdoor tour at Fort Nelson near Portsmouth, descending into the fort's large defensive ditch. Visitors learn how the ditch was made and the part it played in protecting the fort. Tours run at 10:30am and 2pm on 19 September 2026 and 20 March 2027, with pre-booking recommended and up to 16 people per tour. Not suitable for under 12s.
Image: Fort NelsonEast Tunnel Tours
Guided tours of the East Tunnel at Fort Nelson near Portsmouth, a part of the fort normally closed to the public and with original features largely untouched. Tours run on 14 November 2026 and 16 January 2027 at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:00pm, last 60 minutes and hold 12 people, so pre-booking is required. The route is not accessible, lighting is by torch and portable lamps, and the tour is not suitable for under 12s, with under 16s needing an adult.
Photo: Julian Colander, CC BY-SA 3.0Fort Nelson
Fort Nelson is a restored Victorian fortress on Portsdown Hill, overlooking Portsmouth Harbour. Its artillery collection from around the world includes a 15th-century Turkish bombard, a 200-tonne railway howitzer and the Iraqi supergun known as Big Babylon.