Family Fun Day at Fort Purbrook

Fort Purbrook opens its gates for a Family Fun Day on Sunday 28 June, from 11:00 to 16:00. It's a community day run by Peter Ashley Activity Centres, and the fort is usually closed to the public, so this is one of the few times a year you can actually get inside and see it.

There's a lot on, and it's spread across the site. Archery and rifle shooting are there, alongside a junior assault course and laser tag played down in the moat. The Saddle Club puts on a display in the arena, and there are pony rides for children from age four, costing £1 each with a weight limit of 11st; those start at 11:30 and the queue closes at 15:00. For the under-fives, there's a soft play area. Towards the end of the day, there's a 'Kids vs Staff' tug-of-war.

Beyond the activities, there's a bit of history and a few oddities. Herigeas Hundas set up an Anglo-Saxon camp, and Victory Dogs do an agility display. The Quality Wrestling Team are there, as is judo and climbing. The South Hants Model Railway Club brings their trains, and you can take a mini tour through the fort's tunnels. Food comes from stalls doing burgers, pizzas, and ice creams, with vegetarian options too, and there are face painting and coconut shy stalls, plus music and performances throughout the day.

It's an advance-ticket event, sold through Eventbrite, so you'll need to book ahead. Tickets are £8 for adults, which includes the online booking fee, and under-16s go in free, though they still need a ticket and must be accompanied by an adult over 18. Car-sharing or the local buses — the 7 and 20 — are recommended, but there's free parking in the adjacent fields for around 600 cars, with donations welcome. The whole thing runs from 11:00 to 16:00 on Sunday 28 June at Fort Purbrook, Peter Ashley Lane, PO6 1BJ.