[2] The method of construction was to build brick arches, similar to a railway viaduct, forming the main ramparts and then to pour earth on top allowing this to fall back through the arches, allowing it to be carried away a returned to the top once more, until the whole of the scarp rested upon their ends.

The fort consists of a D-shaped rampart for the main armament with the rear (or gorge) closed by a barrack block.

This is surrounded by a wet ditch, and although it proved difficult to retain water in half of it, a sluice was built to connect the northern section to Fareham Creek (part of Portsmouth Harbour).

The main magazine is beneath the salient of the front face and left flank accessed by a tunnel from the central parade.

In 1900 it was proposed to remove all remaining armament and by 1901 the fort served no further purpose in the defence line.

[11] In 1917 the fort was given a new lease of life when an early QF 3 inch 20 cwt anti-aircraft gun on a Peerless lorry was stationed there.

[13] Fort Elson is still within the boundary of the armament depôt at Bedenham, Gosport and is inaccessible to the general public.

It is in a serious state of endangerment and is unlikely to be maintained or restored due to an English Heritage policy of 'Controlled Ruination'[14] Fort Elson is a Scheduled Monument[12][15] It is on the Historic England 'Buildings At Risk register'[16]