Mainland walk - Standing with Giants display at the Royal Armouries, Fort Nelson

Jackie is leading a walk to the "For Your Tomorrow" Standing with Giants display at the Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson. A tribute to the 1,475 British servicemen who lost their lives at D-day. The statues were previously  overlooking Gold Beach in Normandy, and will be at Fort Nelson from 22 Oct for a limited period

https://www.standingwithgiants.co.uk/

We will catch the 08.45 Fastcat from Ryde Pier Head, so please be in good time, say 8.30am, to meet with the group at the pier head. We  then catch either the 09.18 bus or 09.28 train from Portsmouth Harbour to Portchester, both of which arrive at around 10.10. We’ll meet at the Precinct and walk around Portchester Castle , along the coast and then turn inland and up and over the motorway bridge to Fort Nelson where we are booked in at 1.00pm. An extended stop at Fort Nelson – time to look around and have lunch {there is a café if wished) before leaving at 3.00pm to walk back down to the station to catch the train or bus back to Portsmouth Harbour, hoping to catch the 17.15 fastcat back to Ryde Pier Head (arr 17.37) where our day out ends

Subject to recce, it is anticipated this circular walk will be approx 7 miles

Further details may be posted on this Walks Programme once the walk has been recce’d , so please keep an eye !

No need to book for the walk itself BUT please note that whilst the Standing with Giants display is a free admission exhibition, booking is necessary for the display itself  and numbers are restricted for each time slot.  Jackie and Serena have booked a bunch of tickets for the 1.00-2.00pm slot but it is a case of “first come, first served” and these are going fast – so please contact Jackie (or Serena) asap if you wish to reserve one.  We have contacted Fort Nelson but are unable  now to purchase any additional tickets as that time-slot is sold out. However if you wish to join this walk and have been unable to get a ticket, there are a few options:

1. If anyone cancels ;
2. Apparently some “walk-up” tickets will be available at the venue on the day, so take your risk on getting one of those (but obviously not guaranteed);
3. Join our walk  but without an admission ticket for the actual display – you can still (free) explore the Fort, visit the main display rooms and the café, and possibly walk round the back to see the display at a distance. So still a nice and interesting day out !

https://royalarmouries.org/fort-nelson

TRAVEL:

As above, it's the 08.45 Fastcat from Ryde Pier Head, aim to meet at say 08.30 - allow yourself sufficient time !

And then  on the mainland side, train or bus to Portchester as above

Please find the most suitable/cheapest fare to suit you, buy your own travel ticket(s) and choose train or bus to suit, depending on whether you have a railcard or bus pass.

On the Island side:

Public transport 

Ryde Interchange is served by buses from most directions (or take the train) - and walk up the pier

Car

Park at the pier head (pay), or park in one of the town car parks or free onstreet parking and walk up the pier

Car share
In the interests of the air, parking, and non-drivers, if anyone is able to offer, or needs, a carshare to/from Ryde then please post on WhatsApp group (to join group please message Serena 07564-811690)