Summer Fun at Fort Nelson

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An action-packed summer of fun awaits visitors to Fort Nelson, with barrel-loads of children’s activities on offer, including an exciting assault course.

Children will love the challenge of the assault course (which runs daily from Saturday 20 July to Sunday 1 September), with its varied obstacles suitable for ages 5 –12 years. Tickets cost £3.50, pay on the day.

Free ‘Build the Fort’ sessions will also take place every weekend of the school holidays, starting on 27 and 28 July, with children given the chance to have a go at some of the fort's navvy challenges.

At weekends, there will be several themed activities, such as whacky wheelbarrow work, building brick walls, designing defences and creating arches for the Victorian fort.

These free activities will rotate every weekend, with sessions starting at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm. Each will last between 20 and 30 minutes and are suitable for children aged 5 – 12 years.

Young visitors will be able to collect a stamp for each of the activities in a navy passport, and receive a special prize if all the sessions are completed during the school holidays.

Families can also visit Fort Nelson's new D-Day: A Portsmouth Story exhibition, which opened recently to mark the 80th anniversary. Admission is free.

The exhibition features the voices of local people recalling their memories of D-Day, alongside images of Portsmouth and the surrounding areas from The News archive and the Imperial War Museum.

First-hand accounts from the D-Day Story and the National Museum of the Royal Navy - telling the story of the planning of Operation Overlord to the events of D-Day and the quiet aftermath - feature in the exhibition.

A museum trail of 10 silhouettes of local heroes who served in D-Day are also in place until 1 September, alongside pieces of artillery in service during D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, from the Royal Armouries national collection.

Visitors are advised to book their free admission tickets in advance at royalarmouries.org to guarantee their visit, as the site has capacity limits.

The Victorian fort has 19 acres to explore with its tunnel, ramparts, and outdoor space, as well as a museum of treasures to discover.

There are lots of picnic benches around the site, and the café and refreshment kiosk will be open every day for light meals, snacks and drinks.