Located on the seafront in Southsea, The D-Day Story is the UK's only museum dedicated entirely to telling the incredible story of the D-Day landings in 1944. Through immersive audio guides, personal accounts, and state-of-the-art displays, it brings to life the complex planning and immense courage involved in Operation Overlord. It is a deeply moving tribute to the people who took part, from the high-ranking commanders to the ordinary soldiers and civilians.
The museum’s centrepiece is the spectacular Overlord Embroidery, a 83-metre long masterpiece that chronicles the events of D-Day in vivid detail, rivaling the famous Bayeux Tapestry. Visitors can also step aboard the Landing Craft Tank LCT 7074, the only surviving vessel of its kind, which provides a tangible sense of the scale and reality of the naval effort.
Expect to spend a good half-day exploring the extensive collection of original artifacts, including historic vehicles and personal correspondence. The exhibits are well-spaced and accessible, making it an engaging experience for all ages, though the emotional weight of the content is best suited to older children and adults.
Practical tips include booking your tickets online in advance to skip the queue during busy summer months. Since it’s located right on the promenade, it’s a perfect spot to combine with a bracing walk along the Southsea coastline or a visit to the nearby Southsea Castle. The museum is well-signposted and served by local transport links from Portsmouth city centre.
Recommendations
Exceptional
Consistently praised for its emotive storytelling, the stunning Overlord Embroidery, and the preservation of the LCT 7074. Reviewers frequently describe it as a 'must-visit' historical site in the South of England.
Community reviews
Good to know
Car Parking
Ample pay-and-display parking available nearby on the Southsea seafront.
Remote Work
Not designed for remote work; it is an immersive historical attraction with no designated workspace.
Dog Friendly
Only assistance dogs are permitted inside the museum galleries.
Family Friendly
Highly educational for school-aged children and teenagers, with plenty of interactive displays.
Public Transport
Well-served by local Portsmouth bus routes and within a reasonable distance of rail links.
Opening times
Daily 10am-5pm
What’s between me and here?
Find places & events to stop at on the way
Step aboard Lord Nelson’s famous flagship to experience the life and history of the most iconic vessel in the Royal Navy.
Explore the perfectly preserved remains of Henry VIII’s favourite warship in a world-class museum dedicated to Tudor history.
Walk the decks of legendary warships and explore the extraordinary Mary Rose Museum in this world-class maritime heritage site.
Step aboard the world's first iron-hulled warship, a breathtaking Victorian engineering marvel docked in the heart of Portsmouth's historic harbour.
Explore centuries of gripping maritime history and naval warfare at this world-class museum located in the heart of the historic Portsmouth Dockyard.
Scale the iconic 170-metre Spinnaker Tower for breathtaking panoramic views of Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent, including a daring glass-floored sky walk.
Step inside a real Second World War submarine and explore the hidden, high-stakes history of the Royal Navy's silent service.
Step aboard HMS M33, one of the few surviving British warships from World War I, and explore a beautifully preserved piece of naval history in the heart of Portsmouth.