Poppies: Wave is a sweeping arch of bright red poppy heads suspended on towering stalks.
Fort Nelson is part of a large ring of forts built to defend the naval base of Portsmouth, and one of five forts built on Portsdown Hill in the 1860s. During the First World War it became home to part of Herbert Kitchener’s volunteer army. The use of artillery became a major part of the soldiers’ experience of the First World War, and Fort Nelson now hosts large artillery pieces from Royal Armouries’ national collection of arms and armour, including the British Army’s largest surviving gun, the 18-inch, 180-tonne Railway Howitzer.
The Royal Armouries is guardian of one of the finest national collections of arms and armour in the world, with its origins based within the Tower of London. The Royal Armouries continues to have a presence in the White Tower at the Tower of London and at the National Museum of Arms and Armour in Leeds, as well as at Fort Nelson.
With the kind support of Hampshire County Council.
Join the conversation #PoppiesTour
Dates subject to change
Wave and Weeping Window are from the installation ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ – poppies and original concept by artist Paul Cummins and installation designed by Tom Piper – by Paul Cummins Ceramics Limited in conjunction with Historic Royal Palaces, originally at HM Tower of London 2014.
