To commemorate the anniversary of Nelson’s state funeral and as part of Hampshire County Council’s culture-all campaign, you can now follow in the footsteps of one of Britain’s most famous seafarers on the Nelson Trail. The trail has been introduced as part of Hampshire’s ‘Defence of the Realm’ month activities and to celebrate the historic links of Lord Nelson within the county of Hampshire.
Begin your day at the starting point of Nelson’s Trail, Buckler’s Hard in the heart of the New Forest. Buckler’s Hard, set within the Beaulieu Estate, was developed as a thriving shipbuilding village where warships for Nelson’s Navy were built, three of which served in the battle of Trafalgar. Buckler’s Hard is also home to The Maritime Museum which gives and insight into the history of the village, and the river on which it stands.
Next stop on the trail is two miles outside Portsmouth at the scenic site of Portsdown Hill, where you can visit the 120ft tall Nelson Monument. Designed by John Thomas Groves of the Board of Works and completed in 1808, it was constructed to honour Britain’s naval glory and pre-eminence. Nearby is Fort Nelson, which was completed in 1871 as Napoleon lll threatened England’s South Coast, and is named because of its proximity to the monument.