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All 28 Portsmouth Attractions »

D-Day Museum

Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth PO5 3NT, England
023 9282 7261
Ranked #8 of 26 attractions in Portsmouth
4.0 of 5 stars 45 Reviews
Type: Speciality Museums, Military Museums
Owner description: Portsmouth's D-Day Museum is Britain's only museum dedicated solely to covering all aspects of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944....... more » Owner description: Portsmouth's D-Day Museum is Britain's only museum dedicated solely to covering all aspects of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. D-Day was a turning point in the Second World War, and a moment when the course of world events depended on the Allied troops taking part. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother opened the Museum in June 1984, on the 40th Anniversary of D-Day. The Museum’s centrepiece is the magnificent Overlord Embroidery. At 272 feet (83 metres) in length, this is the world’s longest embroidery of its kind, and the Twentieth Century equivalent of the Bayeux Tapestry. It 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. Designed by artist Sandra Lawrence, the Embroidery took five years to complete. An accompanying multi-language audio commentary brings the events of the Embroidery to life. The Museum's unique and dramatic film show uses archive film to create a moving experience that captures the wartime atmosphere. Extensive displays of personal memorabilia, maps, uniforms, vehicles and other historic artefacts complete your visit to the D-Day Museum. Full size dioramas include the map room at the Allied headquarters at Southwick House, and a Horsa glider that has landed in Normandy. A real LCVP landing craft is on display, as is a rare Beach Armoured Recovery Vehicle (BARV) tank.Please see our website for more details. « less
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45 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Sydney, Australia
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 May 2012
1
person found this review helpful

amazing details of our preparation for invasion and previous experiences More

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See 2 more reviews by paul h for Portsmouth
Top Contributor
58 reviews 58 reviews
Reviews in 23 cities Reviews in 23 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2012

A good video introduction and the very interestin 'Overlord Embroidery' (like the Bayeux Tapestry, but newer and about D-Day) start a tour of this impressive little museum. We visit before embarking to sail to Normandy and it helps set the context very well. Staff are helpful and friendly and there's a lot to see in a small space. More

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Alexandria, VA
Top Contributor
50 reviews 50 reviews
Reviews in 26 cities Reviews in 26 cities
72 helpful votes 72 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 May 2012

I loved this little place. Like many British "museums", however, it's more about the experience than it is the "stuff'. Take the time to see the movie and read the exhibits. Let the way-back machine kick in and you can begin to feel like you were there in Britain during the war. More

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See 2 more reviews by fcfrag for Portsmouth
Berkshire
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 May 2012

This is very accessible and has an attractive cafe that offers free refills of coffee, there is disabled parking immediately behind the building with ramp access. More

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See 3 more reviews by Geler for Portsmouth
Cotswolds
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 April 2012

A well run place full of interesting artefacts with helpful and friendly staff. I can understand why some visitors miss the main exhibit area as the main entrance is dominated by the tapestry room, the area then leads back to the shop with toilets right by the way out. The main gallery is through a small doorway which has a... More

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Glasgow, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 April 2012
1
person found this review helpful

The highlight of this museum is the "Overlord Embroidery" which depicts the build up to , the event, and the aftermath of D Day. It is a beautiful and touching piece of needlework. The rest of the museum is dedicated to the gathering of the troops in Portsmouth prior to D Day and is well done and interesting. Well worth... More

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portsmouth
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 April 2012

A visit to this museum is a must if you are visiting Portsmouth. In addition to a vast collection of D Day memorabilia, equipment and documents there is the D Day Tapestry. You really need to see the tapestry to appreciate it. It records the story of D Day and is a work of art and passion. Highly recommended. More

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See 3 more reviews by alangee for Portsmouth
Cambridgeshire
Top Contributor
53 reviews 53 reviews
Reviews in 29 cities Reviews in 29 cities
70 helpful votes 70 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 April 2012

A nationally important museum which is well organised and displayed. A variety of exhibits including landing craft and other vehicles More

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See 7 more reviews by Archaeologist for Portsmouth
Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 April 2012

Everything from start to finish was great, good i was allowed to touch stuff & climb on stuff, maybe better if there was more to pick up & more exhibits to look into & sit on,maybe add a few dress up items. good there was a sale on in the Shop as i was able to buy stuff which is... More

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See 3 more reviews by 479Brandon for Portsmouth
Minety, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 April 2012

Had a wonderful afternoon walking around, so interesting and thought provoking More

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See 6 more reviews by Stupotallan for Portsmouth

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