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D-Day Museum

Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth PO5 3NT, England
023 9282 7261
Website
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Ranked #6 of 39 attractions in Portsmouth
Type: Specialty 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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134 reviews from our community

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Toronto
Contributor
20 reviews 20 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 21, 2013 NEW

Fascinating history of the preparation prior to the D Day landing. Of particular interest is the visitor's journal in the lobby with personal experiences notes from D Day veterans and their families, which I understand is still being updated weekly.

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See 2 more reviews by Flexecutives for Portsmouth
Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
4 attraction reviews
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 21, 2013 NEW

Whilst walking we decided to pop in to the D Day museum there is a lot more in here than you would expect at first glance of the place. A very interesting museum and well worth a visit.

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See 5 more reviews by 889Roo889 for Portsmouth
MIAMI
Top Contributor
384 reviews 384 reviews
121 attraction reviews
Reviews in 107 cities Reviews in 107 cities
76 helpful votes 76 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 20, 2013 NEW

Portsmouth is where DDay originated and this museum has captured it all. The immense tapestry depicting all the war scenes is truly a work of art.

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See 5 more reviews by MIAMISHEILA for Portsmouth
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Top Contributor
104 reviews 104 reviews
13 attraction reviews
Reviews in 78 cities Reviews in 78 cities
95 helpful votes 95 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 10, 2013

If you're interested in D-Day, definitely visit this museum. The tapestry alone is worth the admission price. There are 34 large panels, all hand made by several women. This museum nicely complements the Normandy beaches because it tells the story of the preparations for the invasion and the command of it. I especially enjoyed seeing some of the actual items... More

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Portsmouth
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
9 attraction reviews
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 9, 2013

Great little museum, really told the story of how people lived and survived WW2, The tapestry recounting the story is amazing, definitely worth viewing.

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See 9 more reviews by Michelle678 for Portsmouth
Denver, Colorado
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 1, 2013

The Tapestry was amazing. Just amazing. I've spent a few hours at this museum and really enjoyed all the exhibits. Great look at D-Day invasion. Really moving museum. Landing aircrafts from D-Day are on display, historical memorabilia, and a great documentary about the D-Day invasion. The museum is a great memorial to the people that lost their lives in WWII... More

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Lancing, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
10 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 27, 2013

We visited the D-Day museum this week and it is excellent, it is worth going just to see the amazing tapestry depicting WW11 you have to really appreciate the time and work that went into making this masterpiece. There is also a very interesting film show on the actual landing and what followed after it happened. The cafeteria is set... More

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See 5 more reviews by ChrisBam for Portsmouth
Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 19, 2013

Having visited the museum and viewing the D-Day Tapestry I was awestruck, The work and dedication of those to create the tapesrty and preserve artifacts and stories of that time is amazing. It honors those that sacraficed their lives and the dedication of those at home. Worth the visit when in Portsmouth.

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See 2 more reviews by parkerpr for Portsmouth
Portsmouth, UK
Top Contributor
58 reviews 58 reviews
44 attraction reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
21 helpful votes 21 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 15, 2013

the best museum I've ever visited. The D-Day tapestry produced by local talent and displayed in its own roundhouse is simply stunning but the story of the war in Portsmouth, its role in preparation for the Allied landing and the numerous dioramas describing life on the Home Front are effectively told. Visit on 6th June and entry is free

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See 3 more reviews by frazerprice for Portsmouth
Leicestershire
Senior Contributor
28 reviews 28 reviews
19 attraction reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 9, 2013

I was not interested in the tapestry, which you view before watching a short video at the start of the attraction. The video is not preceded by any warnings and does include images of dead soldiers on the beaches. Into the main body of the museum the displays are well laid out and informative. Lots of the models crafted by... More

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See 6 more reviews by SparkLeicestershire for Portsmouth

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