The D-Day Story

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.

Following a £5 million transformation project - with thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund - the museum has now been 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.

The museum contains many exhibits not previously displayed to the public, in refurbished galleries that feature the words and perspectives of those involved - from both a military and a civilian viewpoint. There will also be spaces for learning, events and interactive displays.

The museum's unique and dramatic film show uses archive film to bring back memories of the wartime years. There are also extensive displays featuring maps; uniforms and other memorabilia; 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 272 feet (83 metres) 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’.

Portsmouth Visitor Information Service is located in the museum. The museum’s shop sells a range of items relating to the Second World War.

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.