Castletown D-Day Centre
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Closed until 5 Apr 2025
Castletown D-Day Centre
Castletown D-Day Centre
4.9
Temporarily closedClosed until Apr 5, 2025
About
Castletown D-Day Centre is a family friendly, interactive World War 2 museum that tells the story of the thousands of US military personnel who in June 1944 sailed from Dorset to the beaches of Normandy. It features an impressive array of original WW2 artifacts, weapons and wartime vehicles, including a full size replica Spitfire, a Bofors 40mm gun and even a restored Sherman tank!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.9
595 reviews
Excellent
542
Very good
43
Average
7
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Emma C
Newark, nottinghamshire166 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
We visited while on holiday with my three boys, (20, 13 and 6) and I have to say I was really, really impressed! It's not a large space, but they utilise it to great effect. You can spend at least a couple of hours there, more if you take the time to read everything. Look up, look down, there's something to see.
All the exhibits are interactive and you're encouraged to pick things up, try things on, climb on the vehicles etc. This meant that even the youngest of our party was able to enjoy the experience.
I love how personal they've made it as well. It doesn't feel like just a collection of 'stuff' as in many museums. Every item has a story, every story has a face, and this really immerses you in the experience. Each member of your party selects a piece of paper with your name and rank on it at the beginning of your visit, and at the end you can visit the plague outside to find out if your name survived the war.
The staff are amazing. All dressed for the period and more than happy to chat to you about the exhibits, and interact with the children. The gift shop is lovely as well, great price range and all profits go back into the museums upkeep.
It's not particularly wheelchair friendly if you're hoping to see the entire exhibit (there are two upper levels), but this is understandable given the space they're working with. My partner found plenty to look at on the ground floor, and I was impressed that the staff, noticing his restrictions, took the time chat to him in detail about several of the exhibits and the personal stories behind them.
Would highly recommend a visit!
All the exhibits are interactive and you're encouraged to pick things up, try things on, climb on the vehicles etc. This meant that even the youngest of our party was able to enjoy the experience.
I love how personal they've made it as well. It doesn't feel like just a collection of 'stuff' as in many museums. Every item has a story, every story has a face, and this really immerses you in the experience. Each member of your party selects a piece of paper with your name and rank on it at the beginning of your visit, and at the end you can visit the plague outside to find out if your name survived the war.
The staff are amazing. All dressed for the period and more than happy to chat to you about the exhibits, and interact with the children. The gift shop is lovely as well, great price range and all profits go back into the museums upkeep.
It's not particularly wheelchair friendly if you're hoping to see the entire exhibit (there are two upper levels), but this is understandable given the space they're working with. My partner found plenty to look at on the ground floor, and I was impressed that the staff, noticing his restrictions, took the time chat to him in detail about several of the exhibits and the personal stories behind them.
Would highly recommend a visit!
Written 28 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for such a thorough review. We are delighted that you enjoyed the museum and appreciate your understanding regarding accessibility.
Written 31 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kathy B
Easley, SC50 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Without a doubt best museum I've ever visited. Parents considering trip to England should incorporate this hands on interesting history lesson into their children's lives. Tanks and jeeps can be climbed into, various weapons touched and "fired". Weight of supplies and equipment troops individually carried or parachuted into France is surreal. Sacrifices of thousands cannot be forgotten. Priceless artifacts and biographies either donated or loaned to museum for retelling of real D Day, not Hollywood's version.
We were waiting on doors to open spent two hours, could have been longer had museum not become so busy. "Thank you" seems inadequate to all those involved with museum.
We were waiting on doors to open spent two hours, could have been longer had museum not become so busy. "Thank you" seems inadequate to all those involved with museum.
Written 17 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a fantastic review! Thank you so much, we are so pleased you enjoyed the museum!
Written 24 May 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Thetentadventures
Bristol, UK14 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
What a brilliant little place.
Near enough everything in the museum was interactive which the kids loved.
Upon entering you are given a name of an American army personnel, at the end you are able to find out whether they survived the war which was quite poignant.
The staff on site were brilliant, very informative and helpful. They were all dressed up in period clothing of the time.
All of the information boards were really informative and nice/clear to read.
There's a cafe across the road selling reasonably priced food, it closes at 3pm but on admission to the centre you recieve a 10% discount to use in the cafe.
My only critism would be that they rely on trust in regards to paying admission as we noticed a couple of people just walked in without paying. A physical barrier directing you to the pay desk would be a good idea.
Really great site, if your looking for something to occupy you and the kids on a dry or rainy day it's ideal!
Near enough everything in the museum was interactive which the kids loved.
Upon entering you are given a name of an American army personnel, at the end you are able to find out whether they survived the war which was quite poignant.
The staff on site were brilliant, very informative and helpful. They were all dressed up in period clothing of the time.
All of the information boards were really informative and nice/clear to read.
There's a cafe across the road selling reasonably priced food, it closes at 3pm but on admission to the centre you recieve a 10% discount to use in the cafe.
My only critism would be that they rely on trust in regards to paying admission as we noticed a couple of people just walked in without paying. A physical barrier directing you to the pay desk would be a good idea.
Really great site, if your looking for something to occupy you and the kids on a dry or rainy day it's ideal!
Written 28 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for such an excellent review, we are delighted you enjoyed the museum and found our team of volunteers to be informative and helpful.
Written 31 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Helen wheatley
13 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
It was a rainy day but what a great place. It was full of www2 memrobillia. It told the story of the d day in portland with hands on exhibits. You could feel the interest and energy of people visiting it. You could touch, hold and climb onto the exhibits,it was so interactive. There was a exhibit video telling the story of the impact of the Americans and people of portland which made you think about war. It was done in a fun way. We loved it £10 for an adult great value
Written 9 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the museum. Please do visit us again!
Written 22 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SB01
Sonning Common, UK967 contributions
Oct 2024 • Solo
Small museum focussed on the US troops who embarked from Castletown and landed on Omaha beach. A lot is packed into a small space, with many exhibits telling the story beforehand, on the beach and then the medical care of those who were repatriated to Portland after being wounded. The museum scores highly for its intimacy, focussing on the personal stories and also for its interactivity, with many hands on exhibits. You can clamber into jeeps, feel the weight of small arms and operate anti tank guns. I think children will enjoy it, but it is a serious place, with grim first hand accounts telling the horror of the experience on the beach.
There are a number of large items, including a Sherman tank and a full size replica of a spitfire.
Overall I think for £10 it’s good value, as you could easily spend 1-2 hours here.
There are a number of large items, including a Sherman tank and a full size replica of a spitfire.
Overall I think for £10 it’s good value, as you could easily spend 1-2 hours here.
Written 20 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your wonderful review. We are very proud of our centre
Written 21 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SUSAN B
London, UK15 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
One of the best little museums we've been to. Two families with 5 children ranging from 10- 16 who all thoroughly enjoyed it. Volunteers couldn't have been more helpful and we loved the interactive nature of the museum. Fascinating stories about the servicemen and women involved in the operations made it more personal and really struck home with us. Highly recommend if you're in the area.
Written 30 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for such an impressive review. We are delighted you and your family enjoyed the museum!
Written 31 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Grant B
Wokingham, UK5 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
A hands on experience (and I mean hands-on), tank, guns, vehicles and stories to bring Castletown's involvement of D-Day to life. I had no idea what went on here! Not much on the outside, but don't be put off, this really is a great way to spend a few hours, very kid friendly and the volunteers are passionate to share their museum. Small car park 50yds on from the museum and 10% off at the café across the street (with your entry ticket).
Written 2 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glad you enjoyed our centre. The volunteers pride themselves on sharing the knowledge and pleased you had the benefit of that.
Written 3 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
d j
3 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
My son and I like military museums, my wife not so much.
We did not visit Portland explicitly for the museum but saw it as we were passing. Admittedly I was not expecting much looking form the outside but my opinion changed.
Its staffed by volunteers who are knowledgeable and ready to answer any questions. Unlike most military museums where you can look but not touch, you can handle the equipment, webbing, rifles, helmets, sit in most of the vehicles or the larger guns. Cost is a £10 for an adult and as I said I was not expecting much but we spent 2 hours there. Even my wife came away saying she enjoyed it.
We did not visit Portland explicitly for the museum but saw it as we were passing. Admittedly I was not expecting much looking form the outside but my opinion changed.
Its staffed by volunteers who are knowledgeable and ready to answer any questions. Unlike most military museums where you can look but not touch, you can handle the equipment, webbing, rifles, helmets, sit in most of the vehicles or the larger guns. Cost is a £10 for an adult and as I said I was not expecting much but we spent 2 hours there. Even my wife came away saying she enjoyed it.
Written 1 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear that you and your family enjoyed your visit and that we were able to exceed your expectations!
Written 3 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tracey B
Warwick, UK1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
Highly recommend a visit. We took our grandsons (8 and 11) and we all had a great couple of hours at the Museum - very interactive exhibits which the boys enjoyed. Staff are really friendly and very knowledgeable - even made our dogs feel welcome. Will definitely visit again if in the area. The choosing of a name at the start of the visit and checking what happened to your person at the end brings home the reality of DDay
Written 7 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review! We are so pleased you enjoyed the museum and found our team of volunteers to be informative and helpful. We hope to see you again soon!
Written 12 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MerthyrMartin
Merthyr64 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Very interesting visit. The museum has lots of interactive things for younger visitors and older ones too.
Don't miss the two sections of the mulberry harbour that are visible from the back windows. Downstairs is mainly US equipment and if you go upstairs outside to the German bunker it's got German kit.
Take time to read the story's on the notice boards.
Don't miss the two sections of the mulberry harbour that are visible from the back windows. Downstairs is mainly US equipment and if you go upstairs outside to the German bunker it's got German kit.
Take time to read the story's on the notice boards.
Written 23 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your comments. We aim to make sure we capture the attention of all age groups
Written 26 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sle595
Fairfax, Virginia
Should we see the Castletown D-Day Centre or the Portsmouth D-Day Museum? Unfortunately, we only have time to see one. We will also be seeing the Imperial War Museum in London.
Written 28 February 2018
Both the D-Day Centre and the D-Day Museum are excellent visitor attractions, however the D-Day Centre focuses primarily on the embarkation of the US servicemen who were bound for Omaha Beach, Normandy.
Written 1 March 2018
Are well behaved dog's on a lead allowed ?
Written 25 September 2017
Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome at the D-Day Centre.
Written 25 September 2017
How far is the museum from the port where the cruise ships dock
Written 11 June 2017
The D-Day Centre is approx. 250 metres from the entrance to Portland Port.
Written 12 June 2017
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