The D-Day Story

About the museum

The D-Day Story is Portsmouth's museum about the Allied landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944 and the planning that led to them. After a redevelopment it was opened in its present form by the Princess Royal in May 2018. It is run by Portsmouth Museums, part of Portsmouth City Council, and supported by the Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust, a registered charity.

The visit begins on board Landing Craft Tank LCT 7074, the last surviving landing craft of its kind from D-Day, which stands in a purpose-built dry dock with a canopy on the seafront. After the war it was turned into a nightclub at Birkenhead Docks, then sank and was left to rust until a multi-million-pound restoration saved it. Inside the museum, galleries cover the preparation for the operation from the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940, and then D-Day itself and the Battle of Normandy from 6 June 1944 onwards.

The Legacy gallery houses the Overlord Embroidery, a work of 34 hand-stitched panels that is 83 metres long. Lord Dulverton commissioned it in 1968, the artist Sandra Lawrence designed it, and a team of skilled embroiderers at the Royal School of Needlework in London finished the last panel in January 1974 after five years of work. The collection also includes vehicles, uniforms, medals, documents, maps and recordings of veterans.

Highlights

• Landing Craft Tank LCT 7074, the last surviving D-Day landing craft of its type
• Overlord Embroidery of 34 panels, 83 metres long
• Galleries on the preparations for D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
• Hologram display recreating the morning of D-Day
• Collection of vehicles, uniforms, medals and veteran recordings

Permanent exhibitions

• Landing Craft Tank LCT 7074 – The last surviving Landing Craft Tank from D-Day, shown in a dry dock with a canopy on Southsea seafront, with crew areas, an engine room and two tanks.
• D-Day and the Battle of Normandy – Galleries about the preparations from the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940, D-Day on 6 June 1944 and the fighting in Normandy that followed.
• Legacy gallery and Overlord Embroidery – An 83-metre embroidery of 34 hand-stitched panels depicting D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, made at the Royal School of Needlework.

Founded

1982

Operated by

Portsmouth City Council

Admission & discounts

Online tickets are cheaper than tickets bought at the door, and no time slot is needed. Online tickets are not valid on 11 November, 7, 8, 9, 16 and 24 to 26 December 2026, 27 January 2027 and 27 to 29 August 2027. Portsmouth Leisure Card holders get 40 per cent off the full price. Visitors who park in the museum car park get £1 off entry. A combined flight and museum ticket is sold with Hovertravel.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The museum has no steps and most floors are level, with a long ramp to the Legacy and Overlord Embroidery gallery. LCT 7074 is difficult for visitors with a mobility impairment or wheelchair because of steep ramps, steps to the upper deck, a steep metal ladder and raised door lips; a video in the Engine Room shows the upper decks. There is one accessible toilet in the museum and a Changing Places facility in the car park about 20 metres away (radar key needed). Hearing loops are at the main reception and at audio displays, and most videos have subtitles. BSL tours are held on selected dates. Audio-described touchable models are on board LCT 7074, ear defenders can be borrowed from reception, and most galleries have seating with arm rests. Blue Badge holders park free in the car park and in marked bays on Clarence Esplanade.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

The museum is suitable for all ages, and children aged 6 and over will get the most from a visit. The Resist! Trail is a puzzle-solving route, a downloadable activity booklet and an LCT 7074 model worksheet are available, and children can use touch-screen games and interactive displays and see two real tanks on LCT 7074. The museum and the tank deck of LCT 7074 are buggy friendly. A family event programme runs through the year, including an autism-friendly family event. There is green space for picnics.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Southsea seafront. The what3words address is purely.proud.idea.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

The D-Day Story Café serves coffee, tea, cakes, sandwiches and paninis with a large terrace at the back in summer, and there is a museum shop (also online). Toilets are available in the car park.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Room hire is offered.

Plan your visit