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Seriously spooky - Halloween horror at historic fort

Visitors will be led on a spine-chilling foray into the tunnels and depths of Fort Nelson to mark the approach of the spookiest night of the year - Halloween!

Mad Victorian professor Dr Terror has taken over the tunnels and chambers under the historic fort on Portsdown Hill and used them to house one of the most ghoulish collections known to man!

The Vaults of Horror are home to a macabre selection of mighty monsters, frightening freaks and hideous horrors - gathered from the far corners of the world.

Fort operations manager Mark Selwood said, "This is a unique underground Halloween adventure for all age groups - except for those with a nervous disposition! With the historic Fort as an ideal backcloth, prepare yourself for a trip you will certainly remember. Go there if you dare!"

The spine-chilling forays include ghoulish sound effects, spectral sightings, and all manner of things that go "bump in the night".

On a slightly less chilling note, there will be Halloween craft workshops where youngsters can, for a small charge, make an executioner's mask and axe to take home. They can also listen to haunting tales with our spooky storyteller (free admission) and watch our normal explosive daily gun firings at noon and 3pm.

The event runs during half-term week on October 28, 29, 30 and 31 (Tuesday to Friday, inclusive). Tickets are available in advance on 01329 233734, priced at £4 for adults and £2 for children, aged 3 to 15. A further charge of £2 pr child applies for the educational/craft activity. Any remaining tickets will be sold each day, subject to availability, but early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

General admission to the Victorian fort is free. The Royal Armouries' regular guided tour schedule will not include the tunnels and they will be closed to non-Halloween visitors because of the event. Guided tours will still be available, but concentrating on other areas of the fort.

However, free admission will still apply for the museum, daily gun firings and dramatic historical performances for non-event visitors. Likewise, the café and shop will be open for business as normal.

For more details visit our website on www.royalarmouries.org.uk.

Note to editors:

Reporters and photographers are welcome at the event, please call in advance if possible. The fort is steeped in history and a tailored guided tour can be arranged.

Media contact: Catherine Kelly/Joss Loader, Primary PR Ltd.
Telephone: 01903 783832, 07704 130226, 07838 379599.
E-mail: info@primarypr.co.uk

About the fort:

- The Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson houses the national collection of historic cannon and big guns. The museum houses one of the world's finest collections with over 350 cannon dating back over 600 years and from every corner of the earth. The collection originated from HM Tower of London and has been on display in Hampshire since 1995.
- The Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson also tells the story of the Palmerston Forts, built to protect Portsmouth from a feared French invasion in the 1860's.
- Every day, visitors can see one of the big guns fired in salute, watch our resident actors bring to life characters from 1,000 years of history, explore secret underground tunnels and enjoy incredible views from the ramparts. An extensive programme of special event spectaculars takes place throughout the year.
- Fort Nelson is open every day except 24th, 25th & 26th December. April to October 10am -5pm (Wed 11am-5pm), November - March 10.30am - 4pm (Wed 11.30-4pm).
- Admission to the Royal Armouries is FREE.
- Admission charges apply to some events.
- Information line: 01329 233734
- Website: www.royalarmouries.org
- Email: fnenquiries@armouries.org.uk
- The Royal Armouries is the national museum of arms and armour with sites at Fort Nelson, Leeds, HM Tower of London and Louisville, Kentucky, USA.