1. Fort Nelson History

The history of Fort Nelson, from its origin as one of Palmertson’s Forts to the present day as the home of the Royal Armouries national artillery collection.

2. General Sir John Lefroy

A brief account of the life and work of General Sir John Lefroy (1817-1890)

3. What is Artillery?

This gallery gives visitors an introduction to the history of artillery.

4. Medieval & Renaissance

A gallery shows the development of artillery and how gunpowder changed the nature of war.

5. Age of Discovery

This gallery shows how discoveries in science and mathematics during the 17th century led to the development of more powerful artillery and its role in the expansion of empire and global trade.

6. Blenheim to Waterloo

During the 18th century, improvements in gun casting and boring, in gunpowder, and in artillery doctrine made artillery even more important as a battle-winning weapon.

7. The Artillery Revolution

This gallery shows the development of artillery in its transition from smoothbore to rifle.

8. Forge

Part of this gallery represents a blacksmiths forge. Many of the earliest guns were made of wrought iron using traditional blacksmithing skills.

9. Foundry

This gallery is an atmospheric rather than exact recreation of two areas of the Royal Bronze Foundry at Woolwich during the late 18th century.

10. Moving the guns

This gallery is a representation of a carriage workshop on one side and models and illustrations show and explain the engineering behind gun mountings.

11. Art Gallery

This gallery displays some of the most wonderfully decorated guns that can be justifiably considered works of art.

12. Artillery Hall

This gallery contains some of the largest pieces of artillery in the collection of the Royal Armouries.

13. Galleries

The galleries at Fort Nelson are located in the converted main Barrack Rooms and show the development and history of artillery.

14. Fortifications

Fort Nelson is a historic monument, restored to how it would have been in the 1890’s.

15. Ordnance Society

The Ordnance Society was intended to promote, encourage and coordinate the study of all aspects of the history of ordnance and artillery.

16. Collections Database

The object catalogue is a searchable database of the Royal Armouries collections presented through its image library and digital archives.

17. Fort Nelson Events

Big guns
Gun firing
Large scale military tattoos and fly pasts
Explore underground passages
Children’s activities

Click here for more information about current events at Fort Nelson.

18. Fort Nelson

Admission is FREE

Summer:
Daily: 10am – 5pm
(Wednesdays 11am – 5pm)

Winter:
Daily 10.30am – 4pm
(Wednesdays 11.30am – 4pm)

Closed 24-26 December

Tel: 01329 233 734
fnenquiries@armouries.org.uk