Royal Armouries - Fort Nelson

Fareham

Type:Historic Site

Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill Road, Fareham, Hampshire, PO17 6AN

Tel: +44 (0)1329 233 734

Royal Armouries - Fort Nelson

About

Fort Nelson is home to the Royal Armouries national collection of artillery and historic cannon – the big guns – and is a great day out for all the family. 

Step back in time and explore a fully restored Victorian fort with its high ramparts, original fortifications, massive parade ground and underground tunnels, plus a national museum housing over 700 pieces of artillery from across the world and spanning 600 years of history – each with their own story to tell. 

Located in a key position above Portsmouth, Fort Nelson was built in the 1860s to protect against a potential invasion by the French, which never materialised.  

Although never used for its original purpose the Fort played a significant role in both World Wars; as barracks for troops waiting to be deployed to the front line in the First, and as an anti-aircraft ammunition supply depot during the Second. 

Discover the Fort’s intriguing history in the building itself and through the museum exhibits. 

Highlights of the collection on display include an innovative 15th-century Turkish bombard, a gigantic 200-tonne railway howitzer and the infamous Iraqi supergun.  

With an exciting collection of big guns, stunning panoramic views, entertaining children’s activities, a museum shop packed with gifts and souvenirs, and a café serving delicious refreshments – there is something for everyone to enjoy.  

•    Address: Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill Road, Fareham, Hampshire, PO17 6AN Tel: 01329 233 734 
•    Admission – free. Car parking £3
•    Visit our website for more information at https://royalarmouries.org/venue/fort-nelson 
•    Email - fnenquiries@armouries.org.uk 
•    The Fort is open from 10 am – 5 pm daily (April – October) and 10 am – 4 pm (November – March).

No animals except assistance (guide/hearing) dogs. 

Royal Armouries has three museums – Fort Nelson, the White Tower in the Tower of London, and the purpose-built Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. 
 

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
AdmissionFree

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Disabled Parking
  • Disabled persons toilet
  • Guide Dogs Permitted
  • Induction Loop System
  • No dogs (Guide dogs accepted)
  • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
  • Ramp/Level Access
  • Wheelchair user accessible

Catering

  • Cafe
  • Catering for groups
  • Full liquor licence
  • On-Site cafe/restaurant
  • Picnic area
  • Picnic Site
  • Refreshments Available
  • Vegetarians catered for

Children & Infants

  • Babes in Arms
  • Baby changing
  • Children’s packs
  • Children's Meals
  • Family Friendly, Children Welcome
  • Highchair(s) available
  • Indoor children’s play area
  • Outdoor children’s play area

Establishment Features

  • All weather attraction
  • Audio Tours
  • Conference facilities
  • Garden / Grounds for visitors use
  • Gift shop
  • Groups welcome
  • Guided tours
  • Licensed for alcohol
  • Licensed for weddings & ceremonies
  • Meeting rooms
  • Open all year round
  • Open New Year
  • Open on bank holidays
  • Special Opening for Groups by Arrangement
  • Team / Corporate Activities

Parking & Transport

  • Coach parking
  • Free parking
  • Off-road parking
  • On Site Car Parking
  • Parking (free)
  • Railway station within 5 miles

Payment Methods

  • Delta
  • Delta accepted
  • MasterCard
  • MasterCard accepted
  • Visa
  • Visa accepted

Provider Preferences

  • Countryside Setting
  • Some no smoking areas

Specialist Features

  • Cyclists welcome
  • Educational Groups
  • Information Point

TripAdvisor

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Exit M27 motorway from Junction 11. Follow brown tourist signs for ‘Royal Armouries’.

Public Transport Directions

Nearest mainline stations:Portchester - 3 minutes away by taxiFareham - 10 minutes away by taxiHavant - 20 minutes away by taxi

Awards

  • Tourism South East Award -Tourism South East Member 23/24 - Bronze Tourism South East Member 23/24 - Bronze 2023

Opening Times

Open New Year
Open (1 Nov 2023 - 31 Mar 2024)
DayTimes
MondayClosed*
Tuesday - Friday10:00 - 16:00*
Saturday10:00 - 16:00
Sunday10:00 - 16:00*
Open (1 Apr 2024 - 31 Oct 2024)
DayTimes
MondayClosed*
Tuesday - Sunday10:00 - 17:00*

* Closed from 24 to 26 December

Dates and times marked with a '*' are provisional and may be subject to change

What's Nearby

  1. Standing With Giants at Fort Nelson

    Life-size silhouetted figures, representing the 255 people who lost their lives in the…

    0.03 miles away
  2. Ferneham Hall

    As part of Ferneham Hall's 30th Anniversary Celebrations we will be presenting some extra…

    1.71 miles away
  3. Ashcroft Arts Centre

    Offering comedy, theatre, music, festivals and classes for all ages, there is something…

    1.78 miles away
  1. Westbury Manor Museum

    An elegant 18thC building with a Victorian-style public garden at the rear. Displays tell…

    1.91 miles away
  2. Portchester Castle

    A Roman-Saxon shore fort with Norman additions. A near-perfect keep and Norman church…

    1.95 miles away
  3. Playzone

    Fun for everyone, rain or shine, day or night! Portsmouth Playzone is the biggest indoor…

    2.7 miles away
  4. Mountbatten Leisure Centre

    The Mountbatten Leisure Centre is set in an attractive park adjacent to Portsmouth's…

    3.48 miles away
  5. Titchfield Abbey

    The remains of a 13thC abbey overshadowed by a grand Tudor gatehouse.

    4.06 miles away
  6. Alver Valley Country Park

    The Alver Valley is Gosport's wildlife haven, and there's always something to see and do…

    4.35 miles away
  7. Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum

    Visit the first home of Britain's most famous Victorian author.

    4.4 miles away
  8. The 1642 Living History Village

    A representational Hampshire village set in the year 1642. Timber and thatched buildings,…

    4.41 miles away
  9. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

    Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the UK’s premier destination for exploring 500 years of…

    4.52 miles away
  10. Harbour Tours


    Portsmouth is still the home of the modern Royal Navy and taking the Harbour Tour offers…

    4.58 miles away
  11. St Margaret's Nurseries

    We specialise in fuchsias, bedding plants and patio and basket plants.

    4.64 miles away
  12. Falklands Gardens

    The Falkland Gardens, Gosport can be found at the eastern end of Gosport High Street.…

    4.66 miles away
Previous Next