The D-Day Story

Portsmouth

Type:Museum

The D-Day Story, Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 3NT

Tel: 023 9288 2555

Exterior shot of The D-Day Story, Portsmouth

About

The D-Day Story is the only museum in the UK dedicated to the Allied Invasion in June 1944. It tells the unique personal stories behind this epic event.

The museum contains many exhibits not previously displayed to the public, in galleries that feature the words and perspectives of those involved - from both a military and a civilian viewpoint. There are also spaces for learning, events and interactive displays.

The museum's unique and dramatic film show uses archive film to bring back memories of the wartime years. There are also extensive displays featuring maps; uniforms and other memorabilia; several vehicles and even a real LCVP landing craft.

In 2021, the last survivng Landing Craft Tank from D-Day - LCT 7074 became part of the D-Day Story, taking pride of place under a purpose built canopy next to the museum.  Included as part of the museum ticket, visitors can now explore this fully restored craft and marvel at the sheer size of these vessel, visit the officers quarters and command bridge.  Restored by National Museum of the Royal Navy (with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund), this is a great addition to Southsea seafront.

At the centre of the museum sits the Overlord Embroidery, which was commissioned by Lord Dulverton of Batsford (1915-92) as a tribute to the sacrifice and heroism of those men and women who took part in Operation Overlord. The embroidery is 272 feet (83 metres) in length, and is the largest work of its kind in the world.

The D-Day Story is full of personal stories of courage and determination, comradeship and sacrifice, secrecy and deception, innovation and tactics. It is a story in which ordinary people worked together to achieve an extraordinary outcome, exemplifying ‘the epic made personal; the personal made epic’.

Portsmouth Visitor Information Service is located in the museum. The museum’s shop sells a range of items relating to the Second World War.

Please note - museum staff reserve the right to search bags and all visitors must agree to this as a condition of entry to the museum.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult£13.50 per ticket
Child (5-17) and student£6.75 per ticket
Family (2 + 3)£33.75 per ticket
Senior£10.80 per ticket

For more ticketing information, visit: http://theddaystory.com/plan-your-visit/tickets/

Facilities

Accessibility

  • All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors
  • Disabled Parking
  • Disabled persons toilet
  • Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors
  • Facilities for Visually Impaired Visitors
  • Guide Dogs Permitted
  • Induction Loop System
  • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
  • Ramp/Level Access
  • Toilets for Disabled Visitors
  • Wheelchair user accessible

Audio Commentary in Foreign Languages

  • French audio guide
  • German audio guide
  • Spanish audio guide

Catering

  • Cafe - April - Sept
  • Catering for groups - with prior booking with the cafe.
  • On-Site cafe/restaurant
  • Picnic area - on communal parkland
  • Picnic Site

Children & Infants

  • Baby changing

Establishment Features

  • Audio Commentary in Foreign Languages - For the Overlord Embroidery only (English/French/ Dutch/Spanish/German)
  • Event Venue
  • Groups by arrangement - Tours of D-Day Museum and / or Overlord Embroidery available by arrangement for pre-booked groups (fee applies).
  • Groups welcome
  • Open all year round

Group Travel

  • Out of Hours Visits

Parking & Transport

  • Coach parking
  • On site parking close by - Fees apply
  • Parking (charge)
  • Railway station within 5 miles

Payment Methods

  • Approx length of visit - 1.5 - 2 hours
  • Delta accepted
  • Groups Accepted - Please download our Group Travel Guide for more information.
  • Maestro Accepted
  • Min group size - 15, to qualify for group rates.
  • Open by appointment outside normal opening times - For groups only. Extra charge, available on application.
  • Special group rates - Adult: £5.50 Senior: £4.50 Child: £4.00

Specialist Features

  • Educational Groups
  • Family Fun
  • Marketed Towards Families
  • Marketed Towards Senior Citizens
  • Marketed towards student/youth

Tours and Demonstrations

  • Educational Visits Accepted - Most suitable for Key Stages 2 & 3. Tours of D-Day Museum and / or Overlord Embroidery available by arrangement, for pre-booked groups (fee applies).

TripAdvisor

Map & Directions

Road Directions

M27 or A3(M) to M275 to Esplanade.

If you require any information for your visit, please contact the museum directly.

Public Transport Directions

Nearest stations are Portsmouth & Southsea or Portsmouth Harbour.

Awards

  • Regional and Miscellaneous -Beautiful South Awards Winners 2019/20 - Bronze Beautiful South Awards Winners 2019/20 - Bronze 2019
  • Tourism South East Award -The Beautiful South - Awards for Excellence 2020 - 2021 Silver The Beautiful South - Awards for Excellence 2020 - 2021 Silver 2021

Opening Times

Winter opening (1 Oct 2023 - 31 Mar 2024)
DayTimes
Monday - Sunday10:00 - 17:00
Summer opening (30 Mar 2024 - 30 Sept 2024)
DayTimes
Monday - Sunday10:00 - 17:30

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