140th anniversary marked at Fort Nelson

September 27, 2011

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) gave the official seal of approval to the £3.5million revamp of Fort Nelson on Friday (September 23) – exactly 140 years after the first volunteer troops marched into the Victorian hill fort, near Portsmouth.
Stuart McLeod, Head of the HLF in the South East, joined Royal Armouries’ chair Ann Green CBE in unveiling a plaque at the new-look museum to staff, and invited guests.
Fort Nelson is home to the national collection of big guns. The free museum now includes a spectacular new gallery The Voice of the Guns, brand new visitor centre, and state-of-the-art education facilities.       
Mr McLeod said, “The Heritage Lottery Fund is incredibly proud to have played our part as a funder – to the tune of over £2m. Our investment has helped transform the Royal Armouries Museum at Fort Nelson, conserving its history and making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”

For more information regarding the Royal Armouries – Britain’s oldest museum -  visit: www.royalarmouries.org
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Notes to editors
• Royal Armouries has sites in Leeds, HM Tower of London, Fort Nelson and Louisville, Kentucky. It is the first British national museum to open a permanent presence in another country.
• The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds houses a major part of the national collection of arms and armour, and displays over 8,500 objects throughout its five themed galleries.
• Fort Nelson in Hampshire houses the national collection of big guns and artillery.
• Admission to the museum is free. However, there may be a small charge for some special events.
• Open all year daily, 10am-5pm. Closed 24-26 December
• Information Line: 08700 344 344
• Website: www.royalarmouries.org
• The Royal Armouries Museum should not be confused with Royal Armouries International plc, the private sector corporate hospitality business based on the same site in Leeds.