Fort Nelson's Christmas trail, Albert Bear's Storybook Adventure, runs 28 November to 3 January. Free, but book a slot for everyone over 3; parking is £3.

Fort Nelson’s Christmas event this year is Albert Bear’s Storybook Adventure, a free festive trail that runs from Saturday 28 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. The Royal Armouries announced it on its own event page, which we read on 27 October 2026.

The quick answer

  • When: 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, on the days the fort is open.
  • Cost: free. Book a free ticket for everyone in your party over the age of 3, with an arrival time slot.
  • How long: the Royal Armouries suggests 60 to 90 minutes for the trail. You can stay as long as you like; the museum closes at 4pm.
  • Parking: £3 a vehicle, paid on arrival.
  • Where: Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill Road, PO17 6AN, on the hill above Portchester and Fareham.

What it is

The Royal Armouries’ story is that Albert Bear arrived at the fort for a festive adventure and found himself travelling through the pages of a magical storybook: enchanted forests, mystical tea parties and fairy-tale princesses. Families follow his footsteps through his favourite stories with a free trail worksheet, and the event page promises “activities to complete, games to play, and plenty of Christmas magic along the way.”

It is aimed at families and is listed as free, for all the family. The page does not mention Father Christmas, so do not go expecting a grotto. For that, see our Fareham Santa’s grotto page, which includes the free grotto in Fareham Shopping Centre on December weekends.

Booking and donations

Entry is free, but the Royal Armouries asks you to book a ticket for every person over 3 and choose an arrival time. When you book it suggests a donation of £2.50, which you can change or remove. Halloween at the fort, the event before this one, was described by the Royal Armouries as one that “does sell out”, so book a slot before a weekend or holiday visit.

Dogs, except service animals, are not allowed at Fort Nelson, the Royal Armouries says on its event pages.

Opening days

The trail runs on the days the fort is open, and those change with the school calendar. The Royal Armouries’ Fort Nelson page gives:

Period Open
Term time, 3 November to 18 December Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm (closed Mondays)
Christmas school holiday Not yet published

So in the first three weeks of the trail, Mondays are out. Hampshire’s Christmas holiday runs from Monday 21 December 2026 to Friday 1 January 2027 (our school term dates page has the detail). The Royal Armouries says Fort Nelson opens every day in school holidays and on bank holidays, but it has not yet published its Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day arrangements. We will add them when it does, so check the Royal Armouries’ page before you set off between Christmas and New Year.

Getting there

Fort Nelson is on Portsdown Hill Road, PO17 6AN, between Fareham and Portsmouth. Parking on site is £3 a vehicle, paid on arrival. If you are driving from the Fareham side, check our roadworks and travel page first, and if you are combining the trip with Christmas shopping in town, our parking in Fareham page has the town centre tariffs.

Also at Fort Nelson this winter

  • Remembrance Sunday, 8 November: the two minutes’ silence at 11am and a First World War play, Our Little Fort, at 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm. Free, book a slot (Royal Armouries).
  • East Tunnel Tours, 14 November and 16 January: tours at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2pm into a tunnel normally closed to the public, £12, ages 12 and over (Royal Armouries).
  • Mystery at the Fort, 15 to 19 February 2027: a free Second World War spy hunt for February half term (Royal Armouries).

Portchester Castle, the other big day out on this side of Fareham, is closed from 2 November until March; see our Portchester Castle opening times page.

What we will update

  • Fort Nelson’s opening days over the Christmas school holiday, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
  • Any change to booking or extra activities the Royal Armouries adds.

Also on Fareham News

Sources