Fort Nelson

In order to build all the forts, the authorities set up a series of new local brickworks and even constructed a railway line that ran along the top of Portsdown Hill, in order to deliver quicker.

Probably the most popular of the forts today is Fort Nelson, which houses a large Royal Armouries museum and has open days, re-enactors and even plays host to weddings!

Be warned, though - many of these large artillery pieces still fire, and even blank shells make a heck of a noise - especially if you're not expecting it!

The fort also has special children's days, family events and has a lot of open space within its walls - makes for a good afternoon out, at the very least.

There are other palmerston Forts along the south coast as far as Kent.