School Visit Information

For Teachers

Situated at the mouth of Weymouth Harbour the Victorian Nothe Fort has been restored and imaginatively developed by the Weymouth Civic Society into one of the regions foremost visitor attractions and educational facilities.

Built on three levels, the fort contains many superb displays - in the courtyard level casemates and in the rooms leading off the dark and mysterious underground passages. Vehicles and big guns can be seen and the views of Portland and Weymouth harbours and the Dorset coastline are superb.

Facilities include a canteen, ramped access to the courtyard level rooms, an accessible toilet, indoor and outdoor picnic areas, souvenir shop and experienced volunteers. Special exhibitions and events compliment the permanent attractions. A WW2 hands-on special day (Evacuee Experience) can be booked for primary schools.

Although the fort is described as a "massive structure" many of the rooms containing displays are small. It would be helpful if, before you arrive, your party could be organised into groups of about 12. If warned in advance we can provide adults to act as group leaders if required. Staff will be happy to suggest starting points and routes to avoid bunching up.

The Victorian Soldier: the fortress builders, a gundeck, barrack room and ablutions

The 20th Century Soldier: a barrack room, the NAAFI, cookhouse, guardroom, prisoner's cells, officer's mess, tailor's and blacksmith's shops and signals office.

Weymouth at War: rationing, the Blitz, air raid shelters, home guard and civilian services.

Nothe and Local History: the Roman invasion, mediaeval Weymouth, the Spanish Armada, the Civil War, WW2 including D-Day, the development of Portland harbour and Whitehead's torpedo

Minibuses and cars - The Fort is well signposted from the outskirts of the town and minibuses and cars may drive up Horsford Street to the Council operated pay and display car park in the Nothe Gardens.