FORT VICTORIA: AN INTRODUCTION

The Aquarium, Maritime Heritage Exhibition and Planetarium are privately run attractions at Fort Victoria, open to the public throughout the summer season.

Countryside Section staff work closely with these businesses, particularly when providing education services to schools and other groups visiting the Fort.

Many school groups enjoy our Ranger tours and activities, and if you’d like to enquire about this or make a booking, contact the Countryside Section.

The Marine Aquarium concentrates mainly on marine life found around the Island.

Inhabitants range from Sponges and Sea Anemones to spectacular Cuttlefish and the dogfish rays and conger eels inhabiting the walkover pool.

A separate section contains some of the spectacularly beautiful inhabitants of tropical reefs.

Most visitors are amazed that the murky waters of the Solent contain so many fascinating creatures.

The seas around the Isle of Wight conceal a wealth of archaeological material both from historic shipwrecks and from the submergence of early settlements.

The Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology was formed to investigate and where possible conserve this rich resource. Their exhibition at Fort Victoria features some of these sites and the Trusts work. Visitors can see how the wreck of a 16th century Venetian Cargo ship , the Santa Lucia wrecked off Yarmouth, was excavated and learn how the Island was once part of mainland Britain comparatively recently separated by the flooding of what was a river valley, submerging the homes of prehistoric men.