Pictures of Fort Nelson

in the town of Fareham, in the county of Hampshire

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About Fort Nelson

Fort Nelson is situated on, and in, Portsdown Hill which overlooks
Portsmouth Harbour.
It forms part of a ring of fortifications surrounding Portsmouth built
during the 1860s which were built to protect Britain's' premier Naval Port
from perceived attack by enemy [French] forces landing along the south
coast and seeking to subdue Portsmouth by the "back door".
To aid this defence all trees and scrub on Portsdown Hill were felled to
remove any possible cover or concealment for attackers and to provide what
we now call "Killing Fields"
The potential field of killing fire can be seen from several views in the
photos
An attack by sea was nigh on impossible because of might and strength of
the Royal Navy

The fortifications were unfortunately rendered obsolete by advances in
weaponry before they were finished, the rifled gun barrel and explosive
shot / shell being two examples of this. The fortifications rapidly
acquired the sobriquet of Palmerston's Follies

The Fort did however continue to play a role in both World Wars. Much of it
was tunnelled into Portsdown Hill during original construction to provide
magazines for explosives. These old tunnels, dug by Welsh miners, provide
defence from air attack, which although never in the minds of the builders
it does very well

Post war the fort gradually fell into disrepair but was refurbished &
gained a new use when it became part of Royal Armouries as a museum for
Guns and artillery plus associated displays

Information provided by Michael Wright
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Fort Nelson.

Planning a visit? Please help support this website by booking your hotels near Fort Nelson and uploading your pictures.
Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Fort Nelson

Portchester Castle	(1.9 miles, 3.1 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Hilsea Lines	(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Titchfield Abbey	(4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction W)	Pictures
HMS Victory	(4.3 miles, 6.9 km, direction S)	Pictures
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard	(4.3 miles, 7.0 km, direction S)	Pictures
The Mary Rose Museum	(4.5 miles, 7.2 km, direction S)	Pictures
Portsmouth Cathedral	(5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction S)	Pictures
D-Day Museum	(6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction S)	Pictures
Southsea Castle	(6.1 miles, 9.9 km, direction S)	Pictures
The Royal Marines Museum	(6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction SE)	Pictures

All attractions in Hampshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Fort Nelson

Portsmouth, in the county of Hampshire (5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction SE)
When Henry V issued the order that effectively founded the British Navy in 1415, little could he have envisaged how the sterling...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Hambledon, in the county of Hampshire (5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction NE)
This lovely red-brick village was the early home of cricket. A club was founded here in 1760 when the laws governing the game were laid down.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Southsea, in the county of Hampshire (5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction SE)
History records that this is the place where Henry VIII's flag ship "Mary Rose" sank in front of the mighty castle built by the...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bishop's Waltham, in the county of Hampshire (7.1 miles, 11.5 km, direction NW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Hayling Island, in the county of Hampshire (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Emsworth, in the county of Hampshire (8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction E)
Super little yachting village tucked away between the many tidal creeks of Chichester Harbour.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ryde, in the county of Isle of Wight (9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction S)
One of the Island's most popular resorts and is situated on the north-east coast. The town is the first port of call from the mainland on the south-east side.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Netley, in the county of Hampshire (9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction W)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cowes, in the county of Isle of Wight (9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction SW)
The most famous yachting resort in the world. Cowes dates back to Tudor times and is divided in two by the River Medina, creating East and West Cowes
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Seaview, in the county of Isle of Wight (10.0 miles, 16.0 km, direction S)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Hampshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

M27 Junction 11	(0.9 miles, 1.4 km)
Portchester Station	(1.0 miles, 1.6 km)
M27 Junction 10	(2.0 miles, 3.1 km, direction W)
Fareham Station	(2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction W)
Southampton Airport	(11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction NW)
Bournemouth Airport	(30.7 miles, 49.5 km, direction W)
Fort Nelson to London	(62.8 miles, 101.0 km, direction NE)

Accommodation & Hotels near Fort Nelson

Hotel Name
Tulip Inn Portsmouth	(1.6 miles, 2.6 km, direction E)
Red Lion Hotel	(1.7 miles, 2.7 km, direction SW)
Holiday Inn Fareham Solent	(4.6 miles, 7.3 km, direction W)
New Place - De Vere Venues	(4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction NW)
Express By Holiday Inn Portsmouth	(4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction S)
Inn Lodge Portsmouth	(5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction SE)
Holiday Inn Portsmouth	(5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction S)
Queen's Hotel	(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction S)
Seacrest Hotel	(6.1 miles, 9.9 km, direction SE)
Beaufort Hotel	(6.2 miles, 9.9 km, direction SE)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts