About

Stories of World War II

This tour tells the story of the planning and implementation of Operation Overlord on D-Day, 6 June 1944, an event that forever changed the course of World War II. You will be fully guided throughout the tour which includes a visit to The D-Day Story, a historical walk and a visit to Portsmouth Cathedral, revealing in detail the incredible history of the D-Day landings.

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

This fully guided tour starts at The D-Day Story, where - after a tour of the museum - you can enjoy lunch in the Dulverton Room. The D-Day Story is the only UK museum to tell the story of 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 then continue through immersive galleries which 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.

After lunch, your Guide will take you on a historic walk along the seafront and into Old Portsmouth, giving an overview of how the area would have been in June 1944. (The tour takes approximately one hour and can also take place by coach if required with relevant stops).

Your next visit will be Portsmouth Cathedral for a private tour, including the D-Day window, installed in 1956, as a memorial to Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, who commanded the seaborne forces at Dunkirk in 1940 and Normandy in 1944.

For those wanting more World War Two history there is the option to add a visit to the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport. This can be reached by passenger ferry and a 20-minute walk, or by road, driving out of Portsmouth and into Gosport. Visit HMS Alliance, a Second World War-era submarine and the Royal Navy Submarine Museum which also includes Holland 1, the very first Royal Navy submarine launched in 1901 and X24, the only surviving Second World War midget submarine – both regarded as significant maritime artefacts. The Gosport element of the visit will be self-guided. The museum is open Wednedsday to Sunday and daily in school holidays.

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.