Fort Nelson, Military museum on Portsdown Hill, Hampshire, England
Fort Nelson is a military museum on Portsdown Hill in Hampshire that displays an extensive weapons collection within a historic fortification. The structure itself features a polygonal design with deep defensive ditches and underground passages connecting different areas.
The fort was constructed between 1861 and 1870 as part of a defense strategy to protect Portsmouth's naval base from potential French attacks. It was one of several fortifications built during this period to secure England's southern coast.
The museum houses a remarkable collection of cannons and artillery from different centuries and nations. Visitors can observe these weapons and understand how they were used in past conflicts.
The site is accessible on foot, with pathways and stairs connecting different areas including tunnels throughout the fortification. Guided tours and occasional demonstrations help visitors understand the layout and its historical purpose.
The fort originally featured two self-rolling bridges that controlled access, a rare and inventive form of Victorian defense engineering. This mechanical system demonstrates the ingenuity applied to fortification design in that era.
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