In 1979, after years of neglect and vandalism, it  was sold to Hampshire County Council for £50,000.
The Council, with assistance of volunteers from the Palmerston Forts Society, restored it at a cost of £3-4million, and it opened to the public in 1994, becoming part of the Royal Armouries in 1995.
It houses their collection of artillery, including:
The 'Boxted Bombard', an English wrought iron cannon from around 1450, which was powerful enough to fire a 60 kg granite ball
The 'Dardanelles Gun', a Turkish bronze cannon from 1464 which was powerful enough to fire stone balls with a diameter of 63 cm
French field guns captured at the Battle of Waterloo
Fortress guns from India and China.

Parts of the famous Iraqi 'Project Babylon' Gulf War-era supergun.

One of the two Mallet's Mortars.

Several SBBL 32 pounders
The fort covers around 19 acres (77,000 m²) and is open all year round, with no charges except for some special events.
 Live firing demonstrations are held every day, costumed guides, video presentations, and visitors are able to explore the tunnels that run below the fort connecting the magazines with gun emplacements.
 There are displays demonstrating the living and working conditions of the soldiers who manned the fort, and views over Portsmouth, the Solent, Hayling Island and Gosport, with the Isle of Wight beyond.
In 1979, after years of neglect and vandalism, it  was sold to Hampshire County Council for £50,000. The Council, with assistance of volunteers from the Palmerston Forts Society, restored it at a cost of £3-4million, and it opened to the public in 1994, becoming part of the Royal Armouries in 1995. It houses their collection of artillery, including:
The 'Boxted Bombard', an English wrought iron cannon from around 1450, which was powerful enough to fire a 60 kg granite ball
The 'Dardanelles Gun', a Turkish bronze cannon from 1464 which was powerful enough to fire stone balls with a diameter of 63 cm
French field guns captured at the Battle of Waterloo
Fortress guns from India and China.
Parts of the famous Iraqi 'Project Babylon' Gulf War-era supergun.
One of the two Mallet's Mortars.
Several SBBL 32 pounders
The fort covers around 19 acres (77,000 m²) and is open all year round, with no charges except for some special events.  Live firing demonstrations are held every day, costumed guides, video presentations, and visitors are able to explore the tunnels that run below the fort connecting the magazines with gun emplacements.  There are displays demonstrating the living and working conditions of the soldiers who manned the fort, and views over Portsmouth, the Solent, Hayling Island and Gosport, with the Isle of Wight beyond.
Fort Nelson, Hampshire