This museum exists at Fort Nelson, north of Portsmouth, and houses a very impressive collection of artillery from the medieval through to modern periods. There are some Napoleonic period pieces, and some Napoleonic re-enactment groups display their own artillery during the Special Events weekends held throughout the year.

Fort Nelson is one of the forts built around Portsmouth in the 1860s to protect the town and dockyard from a potential French invasion. It is a very well restored fort, and tells the story of the Victorian defences in the area. The Royal Armouries have incorporated a superb collection of artillery both inside and outside the fort's buildings. This display explains the development of artillery through the ages, from the 20-ton bronze Dardanelles Gun of 1464, to parts of the Iraqi Supergun from the Gulf War.

There are many Napoleonic barrels on display, plus a number of complete field pieces on restored carriages. There is a bronze 12-pounder field gun built on the Gribeauval pattern, and dated 1794. The gun has the name Voltaire insribed on its barrel, and was cast at Douae on 19th November of that year. A French bronze 24- pounder barrel named La Victoire is dated 1806. The French seemed to like naming their guns, but this name was rather inappropriate as the weapon was captured by HMS Naiad from a French invasion barge in September 1811. Other barrels include various British items, plus guns captured in India.

Admission is very reasonable at 2 for adults and I for children, but there is an increased charge on Special Events Days. However, you do get a guided tour of the fort, which includes watching an explanatory video about the Victorian defences, and the tour includes watching the Portsdown Artillery Volunteers firing some of the Victorian guns around the fort. If you visit on a Special Event Day, there will be numerous living history societies entertaining the public throughout the day. The fort has a cafeteria and wellstocked souvenir shop.

There is certainly much to entertain and educate the whole family at Fort Nelson, and if you have a particular interest in artillery, then this is the place to go. For more details contact: The Royal Armouries Museum of Artillery, Down End Road, Fareham, Hampshire, P017 6AN. Telephone 0329 233734. 1 recommend that you send for their informative brochure giving details of how to get to the fort, and what Special Events they have planned.

The Dusty Archive

Anniversaries and Manners
The King's German Legion at Bexhill
The Salon (Re-enactment)
Royal Armouries Museum of Artillery
Books and Film