I am surprised at the poor reviews given here, although it is not set up as a museum and has little to appeal to children, and no cafe etc. I found it very atmospheric and an interesting contrast to the others. Fort Cumberland is seldom open, it's no good just turning up at the place, but if you can book on a tour on a Heritage Open Day for example, it is well worth visitting. Unlike the other Portsmouth forts like Fort Nelson, which are Victorian, Fort Cumberland dates from the period of the Napoleonic wars. Tourists are not heavily catered to, so you see it as it was and has become over the many years of its history, and standing up on the ramparts looking out to see and across the fort as the sun set was a great experience. If you are a history buff, give it a go if you can, if you want something to occupy the kids for an hour stay away.

As a manager based here, I can confirm that Fort Cumberland is an office facility, and it is not normally open for tourists. The only exception is for Heritage Open Days, when it is open for pre-booked guided tours only.

A typical example of Cold War-era brutalist military architecture using brick and concrete. Don't expect anything ancient, this is an abandoned MOD site but it still has its razor wire and some of the radar and radio antennas are still in position. It's a pleasant walk along the beach front to get here and it looks across to Hayling Island and Selsey Bill in the distance. The coastal path stops at the Eastern end and it is necessary to turn back and cut inland to get further around.

The Fort is a fantastic place to visit if you get the chance. Historic England are doing some fantastic conservation work and will hopefully overtime open the complex up to the public.

This very large fort is now coming into greater usage,and it’s vital importance in defending Portsmouth can be appreciated,when old photos show Royal Marines there right up to the 1970s with driver training and a photo & art and display dept

Such a nice place to go for the day. Not overpopulated my favourite beach in Portsmouth. Free parking too which is great.

Worked there for half a day,loads of interesting history and artefacts. Not open all the time but can be booked out for special tours and is open on certain days throughout the year

Lots of military history and now archaeology research centre

How do I find the dates the star fort is open?

It's not for again some of people go in I dislike so I wouldn't go in there again .