Main Gate to Barrack Rooms
Visitors enter by the original main gates across a drawbridge at moat level. Inside was the Guard Room entrance, now the ticket office and shop. On the way to the introductory display in the former Coal store, the Cells for any miscreant soldiers of the garrison, and Second World War graffiti can be seen.
Leaving the Coal Store, the officers’ horses Stables are nearby, now used for a shooting simulator [small charge applies].
The Victorian latrines on the street have been converted for modern use whilst some originals have been preserved.
Further down the street on the North side of the Barracks, the ablutions for other ranks can be seen, cold water only and slate slabs.
Barrack Rooms
The main barrack rooms have been converted to museum galleries. However, on the Redan ground floor two rooms have been restored to their original uses:
- Barrack Room furnished with a combination of original and replica items to show late 19th century garrison artillery accommodation. When not in use by members of the present-day Portsdown Artillery Volunteers the Victorian garrison is illustrated by display figures and a sound track taken from original documents.
- The Officers’ Mess Kitchen follows. The range has been restored to working order and the room is furnished with original and replica equipment. Although the officers’ food was prepared here, it is now used for ‘living history’ food preparation for the Portsdown Artillery Volunteers on event days, while forming an attractive and evocative display on days when events are not scheduled. It has also been used as a film set.
After the Kitchen, visitors can see a ‘before and after’ display showing the condition of the fort when derelict and the work of restoration. Finds from the fort are shown here and in this Barrack Room; there is also a rare 40 pounder ‘Armstrong’ RBL similar to those once mounted on the first floor of the Redan.
