Exterior shot of The D-Day Story, Portsmouth

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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.

Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, a £5 million redevelopment project was completed in 2018 and the museum was transformed to provide an engaging insight into the lives of those who took part in D-Day, whether they were individuals on the shore in Portsmouth, or those who went over to Normandy.

Following a huge renovation project by the National Museum of the Royal Navy (with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund), the last surviving Landing Craft Tank from D-Day is now open on Southsea Seafront, with access included as part of a museum ticket.

Take a walk around the tank deck to see the sheer scale of these landing craft. Then, head up to the officers' quarters and galley to see where the men cooked and ate, before heading up the ladder to the bridge, where the Commanding Officer was based. Here you can take in views out across the city and sea.

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 and events, plus interactive displays featuring maps, uniforms and other memorabilia, as well as several vehicles and even a real LCVP landing craft.

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 83 metres (272 feet) 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’.

The museum also contains a café and a shop, selling a variety of items including a wide range of books related to D-Day. 

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.

D-Day 80

2024 will mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings. A host of events will be organised across Portsmouth, as well as at The D-Day Story museum on Southsea Seafront. Bookmark the D-Day 80 page on the D-Day Story website for all the latest details on what's going on.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult£14.35 per ticket
Child (5-17) and student£7.20 per ticket
Family (2 + 3)£35.80 per ticket
Senior£11.45 per ticket

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

Facilities

Accessibility

  • All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors - All areas inside the main museum. Some areas of LCT 7074 are not accessible.
  • 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

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 Tours - Available in English. There is also an audio tour of the Overlord Embroidery specifically for those with visual impairments.
  • Event Venue
  • Groups by arrangement - Tours of The D-Day Story 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
  • Groups Accepted - Please download our Group Travel Guide for more information.
  • Maestro Accepted
  • MasterCard 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
  • Visa accepted

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 The D-Day Story and / or Overlord Embroidery available by arrangement, for pre-booked groups (fee applies).

TripAdvisor

Map & Directions

The D-Day Story

Type:Museum

The D-Day Story, Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 3NT
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Call direct on:

Tel023 9288 2555

Awards

  • Visit England Awards -Code of Practice Code of Practice 2022
  • Regional and Miscellaneous -Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice award Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice award 2022
  • Regional and Miscellaneous -WTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2021
  • 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 (1 Apr 2024 - 30 Sept 2024)
DayTimes
Monday - Sunday10:00 - 17:30

* Last admission is 3.30pm to LCT 7074 and 4pm to the museum.

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