UPDATED - TICKETS NEARLY FULLY BOOKED ! Mainland walk - Standing with Giants display at Fort Nelson

[Updated 30/10/25 following recce 29/10/25)

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 through the grounds of Portchester Castle , along the coast for quite a way and then turn inland and up and over the motorway bridge, and up  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

Now that this walk has been recce'd (we went slightly wrong at opne point so there is still a small degree of estimating !), it is anticipated this circular walk will be approx 8 miles

The route is mostly  totally flat apart from the road up to the Fort which is a gradual uphill on a main road (coming down we have a shorter quieter option). It is a mostly  great coastal walk and is not difficult, but there is also some urban / road-walking - be aware hard surfaces of one type or another  for much of the route (though  on the plus side ..  less risk of mud  !)

No need to book for the walk itself. However please note that whilst the Standing with Giants display is a free admission exhibition, booking is necessary for the display 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 the Standing with Giants event is now fully booked for its duration right through to the end of January. However if you wish to join this walk and are unable to get a ticket, there are a few options:

1. If any of our group cancel (this will be updated on the whatsapp group if so) ;
2. We are advised by Fort Nelson that  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 display . However be aware we are told that admission to the Fort and its' galleries (and even cafe) will be restricted to ticketholders whilst the Standing with Giants display is on.

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)