About

Discover the stories behind three famous battles from English history – the Battle of the Solent, Battle of Trafalgar, and the D-Day Landings and Battle of Normandy.

This tour includes visits to two famous historic ships, the Mary Rose and HMS Victory, plus entry to The D-Day Story museum.

You will be accompanied throughout by a knowledgeable, local and friendly Guide.

Your tour begins at the multi-award-winning Mary Rose, King Henry VIII’s flagship – sunk during the ‘Battle of Solent’ in 1545 and then raised from the seabed after nearly 500 years lost at sea. View the wreck of the Mary Rose and immerse yourself in life on board, by coming face-to-face with the crew, surrounded by genuine artefacts, and all brought to life through cutting edge technology. The visit also includes 'Dive the Mary Rose 4D' - an immersive theatre experience telling the story of the world's largest underwater excavation and recovery.

The tour continues with a visit to HMS Victory, Vice Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship, on board which he was fatally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 – one of history’s greatest sea battles.

Climb aboard HMS Victory and step back in time to the Georgian period. Explore the ship, which includes viewing the great cabin where the Battle of Trafalgar was planned, and walking along once-crowded decks where over 800 men lived, worked and fought. You will even stand in the very spot where Nelson fell.

All the while this important ship goes through a period of major restoration you will also have the chance to visit 'Victory Live' where you can see first hand the work taking place.

Continue your tour at The D-Day Story, where the first stop is for lunch in the on-site café or, for larger groups, the museum's Dulverton Room.

The D-Day Story is the only UK museum dedicated solely to this pivotal moment in World War II. The museum uses real objects to tell the story of those who took part in the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944.  Your visit starts on-board LCT 7074, the only remaining landing craft from D-Day that carried tanks across the English Channel. You'll continue through immersive galleries that have as their grand finale the magnificent Overlord Embroidery, an 83-metre depiction of the operation created by the Royal School of Needlework over five years between 1969 and 1974.

To finish off your tour, a short walk takes you to Henry VIII’s Southsea Castle where you can learn about its interesting history, walk on the ramparts and view the seascape where the Battle of the Solent took place, as well as the buoy marking the wreck site of the Mary Rose.

Please note, this tour is for groups between 4 and 50 people. To enquire or for further details including prices, please email vis@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.