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The D-DAY Museum

"What a brilliant museum, even our three year old enjoyed it. Definitely recommend to others to visit, thank you".
Martin, Leicestershire

"A truly wonderful exhibition, such attention to detail, a true memory to keep alive for future generations."
Trish, USA

"Such a great museum, this is the best museum I’ve seen, you could almost re-live parts of what the soldiers went through just by walking around in here... truly amazing experience. Thank you for preserving the parts of history that changed our lives as we know it today."
Joe, Australia

"Just fantastic, from start to finish."
Audrey and Brian, Melton Mowbray

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D-Day Museum and Overlord Embroidery

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.

Young people exploring the D-Day Museum

50% off D-Day Museum admission for Portsmouth Library card holders

News from the D-Day Museum: Click here for news about what has been happening at the D-Day Museum recently.

Click the image above to find out more about the 272ft (83m) long Overlord Embroidery, which is on display at the museum.

More about us
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.

Portraits of Normandy veterans, taken in 2009

Normandy veteran Arthur Ayshford is interviewed about his experiences

During May-June 2009 the D-Day Museum worked with Solent Camera Club to take portrait photographs of Normandy veterans and people involved in the preparations for D-Day. The photographs can be viewed in a photo book in the the museum, and are also on our website: click here to see them.