Fort Paull attraction set for reopening weekend

After four years, Fort Paull will reopen its gates this weekend

A former visitor attraction that closed in 2020 is due to reopen this weekend.

Fort Paull will open its gates once more, with a classic American car show paying tribute to past events.

The heritage site, on Battery Road in Hull, dates back to the 16th Century and was used during World War Two to store ammunition.

The reopening will take place on 28 and 29 September, with the main show day taking place on the Sunday.

This comes after owner Brian Rushworth's application to turn the site into a caravan park was dismissed by East Riding of Yorkshire Council in March this year.

Former Royal Marine Nick Taylor, 37, was hired as a temporary caretaker at the site in October. He teamed up with Nick Moore, who ran a campaign to keep Fort Paull open.

Mr Rushworth gave the pair permission to reopen the fort as a visitor attraction, complete with a museum.

Special car show

After months of planning, they announced the reopening with a special car show, featuring more than 100 cars.

The tunnels will also be open to members of the public.

Fortifications at the site were constructed in 1542, with additions made during the English Civil War. The Ministry of Defence sold the site in 1960.

The Friends of Fort Paull group took it on, opening to visitors. It opened as a museum in 2000, looking at the past 500 years of conflict, complete with exhibits and aircraft displays, before closing in 2020.

Mr Taylor said he was "extremely excited to see what was to come", as the pair prepare to launch the museum and stage events.

The fort already has more events planned such as a Halloween ghost walk, a Christmas fayre and a 1940s weekend.

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