D-Day Story Portsmouth
Explore the pivotal D-Day landings through immersive exhibits, archive films, and a stunning 83-meter Overlord Embroidery.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more immersive experience.
D-Day Story Portsmouth
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more immersive experience.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the pivotal D-Day landings through immersive exhibits, archive films, and a stunning 83-meter Overlord Embroidery.
"Great museum, good displays and great free audio units that really help. Found it interesting and informative."
🎯 Free Audio Guides
Utilize the excellent free audio guides; they greatly enhance understanding and engagement.
⏳ Allow Plenty of Time
Don't rush! You'll want several hours to explore all the exhibits thoroughly.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Overlord Embroidery
An immense 83-meter tapestry vividly depicting the D-Day landings and their aftermath. A true masterpiece.
Landing Craft (LCT)
Step aboard a fully restored landing craft, offering a tangible sense of what soldiers experienced.
WWII Relics
See a Grizzly Sherman tank, Crocodile Churchill tank, and other fascinating D-Day era vehicles and weapons.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Tickets Online
Allocate Ample Time
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Free Audio Guides
Utilize the excellent free audio guides; they greatly enhance understanding and engagement.
⏳ Allow Plenty of Time
Don't rush! You'll want several hours to explore all the exhibits thoroughly.
How To Get Around Portsmouth
Things to do
☕ Cafe Availability
The cafe can get busy at lunchtime, so consider an early or late lunch.
🚗 Parking Details
There's a payable car park located directly behind the museum.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Free Audio Guides
Utilize the excellent free audio guides; they greatly enhance understanding and engagement.
⏳ Allow Plenty of Time
Don't rush! You'll want several hours to explore all the exhibits thoroughly.
☕ Cafe Availability
The cafe can get busy at lunchtime, so consider an early or late lunch.
🚗 Parking Details
There's a payable car park located directly behind the museum.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the D-Day Story for its impactful exhibits, particularly the Overlord Embroidery and the restored landing craft. The free audio guides are a highlight, enhancing the informative and well-presented displays. While the cafe can be overwhelmed at peak times, the overall experience is highly recommended for its historical depth and engaging presentation.
"This museum hosts a number of great relics. Between the last remaining LCT to the Grizzly Sherman and the Crocodile Churchill tank ready to go in her well deck to a unusual tank recovery vehicle Sherman and a DUWK this museum packs a lot of punch for its size.
A great start for a commemorative WWII tour for the battle sites across Europe."
Daniel Conley
"If you like modern history, especially World War II, then you must visit this museum. The exhibition hall explains the details of D-Day in detail. Whether it is the preparations before, the difficulties encountered, or even the detailed actions on the day, they are all explained in a clear and story-telling way in different exhibition areas. At the same time, you can also see many D-Day-related objects in this museum, so you can clearly understand the situation at that time. You can spend about two hours here."
Zen Cheung
"Great museum, good displays and great free audio units that really help. Found it interesting and informative and well presented that kept us absorbed for a good few hours. Worth booking online to save a few pounds. Car park is behind the museum and payable. Has a cafe but it was a bit overwhelmed at lunchtime."
Kevin Jordan
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The D-Day Story is located on Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth. It's easily accessible by car, with a payable car park behind the museum. Public transport options include local bus routes that stop nearby. If arriving by train, you can take a taxi or bus from Portsmouth Harbour station.
Yes, there is a car park directly behind the museum that is available for visitors to use, though it is payable.
Yes, several local bus routes serve the Clarence Esplanade area, making it accessible via public transport from across Portsmouth.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Ticket prices can vary, but booking online in advance is recommended to save money. Check their official website for the most current pricing.
While not always mandatory, booking tickets online in advance is highly recommended to secure your entry and potentially save money.
Opening hours can vary seasonally. It's best to check the official D-Day Story website for the most up-to-date information on opening times before your visit.
Discounts may be available for certain groups such as seniors, students, or families. It's advisable to check the museum's website or contact them directly for details on available concessions.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Most visitors find that 2-3 hours is a good amount of time to explore the museum thoroughly. However, history buffs might want to allocate even more time.
Key attractions include the 83-meter Overlord Embroidery, a fully restored landing craft (LCT), and various D-Day era vehicles like Sherman and Churchill tanks.
Yes, the museum is considered suitable for children, with interactive displays and the tangible experience of the landing craft making it engaging for younger visitors.
Yes, the museum offers free audio guides that are highly recommended for enhancing your understanding of the exhibits.
Photography policies can vary. It's best to check for signage within the museum or ask staff if photography is permitted, especially for personal use.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, the museum has a cafe. However, it can get quite busy, particularly around lunchtime, so be prepared for potential waits.
Generally, bringing outside food and drink into museum exhibition areas is not permitted. There may be designated areas for picnics, but it's best to confirm with the museum.
📸 📸 Photography
The exterior of the landing craft (LCT) and the tanks offer great photo opportunities. The Overlord Embroidery is also a visually striking exhibit.
Photography rules can change. Always look for signs or ask staff if you're unsure about taking pictures inside the exhibition spaces.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While the subject matter is serious, the museum presents it in an accessible manner. The free audio guides can help parents tailor the information for their children. It's a good idea to prepare younger visitors beforehand about the historical context to ensure they get the most out of their visit.
🤓 History Buffs & Geeks
Combine your visit with other historical sites in Portsmouth, such as Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, which features HMS Victory and HMS Warrior, for a comprehensive historical immersion. The museum's detailed exhibits and the tangible relics like the landing craft and tanks will satisfy even the most dedicated history enthusiasts.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Overlord Embroidery: A Monumental Narrative
Visitors often describe it as breathtaking and deeply moving. The sheer scale and detail of the embroidery make it a focal point that draws you in, allowing for a quiet contemplation of the sacrifices made. It's a testament to the collaborative spirit of the time, much like the D-Day operation itself, with many individuals contributing to its creation.
This embroidery provides a different kind of historical engagement compared to artifacts and vehicles. It's a narrative told through thread, offering a softer yet equally impactful way to connect with the story of D-Day. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting the museum, providing a unique artistic interpretation of wartime efforts.
Experiencing History: The Landing Craft and Tanks
Beyond the landing craft, the museum also showcases impressive military hardware, including a Grizzly Sherman tank and a Crocodile Churchill tank. These formidable machines played crucial roles in the Allied advance. Seeing them in person, ready for action, offers a stark reminder of the technological might deployed during the war. The museum's collection of vehicles and weapons is a significant draw for history enthusiasts and provides a powerful visual context to the events of D-Day.
These exhibits are not just static displays; they are gateways to understanding the scale and nature of the D-Day operations. The ability to physically interact with or closely examine these historical artifacts, like walking on the deck of an LCT, creates a memorable and educational experience that resonates long after the visit.
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