Portsmouth D-DAY Story
About this tour
Gathering point before D-Day
Portsmouth and Gosport were embarkation points for troops during WWII. The naval bases carried out modifications to shipping and built components for the Mulberry Harbours. The Solent, between Portsmouth and Isle of Wight, is where most of the Allied Fleet gathered prior to setting off on D-Day. Hayling Island was home to the training bases for landing craft crew and where large-scale practice took place.
‘Pompey’ a Fortress, a Haven, a Fleet Anchorage, a Logistics Base, and a Dockyard. Portsmouth is a city that will always be associated with the development and growth of the Royal Navy as protectors of these shores and as ‘Policemen’ of the British Empire. This tour discovers the sites associated with this great seafaring past. Other aspects of the area take us from Roman times to the 21st Century.
This tour is based in the Solent area and can be tailored to your requirements. From one to three days or more, you can visit a selection of the sites listed below, or any others in the areas.
Sample Itinerary
- Day 1: Coach Pick up from School. Transfer to Portsmouth. Your choice of museums / visits. Overnight in Portsmouth.
- Day 2: Your choice of museums / visits.
- Day 3: Your choice of museums / visits. Return to school.
Our range of tours not only supports the National Curriculum but provides the opportunity for more schools to travel within the UK, Europe or Worldwide, as they provide flexibility. The choice is yours and we are always available to discuss your ideas.
What’s Included
- Return Coach transfers throughout your tour
- 1/2/3 Nights Hostel / Hotel accommodation in Portsmouth (B&B, HB or FB)
- Excursions and entrances as per your chosen itinerary.
- UK Guide throughout your tour.
Battlefield and History Tours recommends the following
- Southwick House: The estate owners allowed the Royal Navy to use the house in 1940 to accommodate overnight pupils of the Royal Navy School of Navigation. In 1941, after heavy bombing of the dockyard, the house was requisitioned and became the new home of HMS Dryad.
- The D-Day Story Portsmouth: The focus of the D-Day Story is the liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany occupation. It is told using the personal possessions and words of the people who took part. Stunning imagery, audio-visual presentations, authentic vehicles, and hands-on interactives help to bring the story to life.
- Royal Submarine Museum - Gosport: Get up close to the HMS Alliance at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, the only remaining Second World War era submarine. Explore the decks and narrow corridors, look through the original periscope, and hear the stories of those who served onboard.
Other Visits and Excursions
- The Royal Dockyards – including HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, The Mary Rose, The Naval Museum and much more.
- The Royal Marines Museum – in the old Officers mess. History from 1664 to the present day.
- Spitbank Fort – massive man-made fort built in the sea one mile from Portsmouth harbour.
- Royal Navy Submarine Museum – including a walk-through tour of HMS Alliance.
- Fort Nelson and the Royal Armouries – Underground and overground on Portsdown Hill.
- Portchester Castle – Romans, Normans, and Saxons. A beautiful site on the water's edge.
- Fort Cumberland – 18th Century fort protecting Langstone harbour.
- D-Day Museum – including the Overlord embroidery.
- Fishbourne Roman Palace – Dating from AD43 and rediscovered in the 1960s.
- Broadlands – 18th century house, famous as the home of Lord Louis Mountbatten.
- Tangmere Aviation Museum – The RAF in the Battle of Britain at this historic Airfield.
- Southsea Castle – Henry VIII. Exhibition of the military history of Portsmouth.
- Calshot Castle – Tudor Castle and 20th century Seaplane base.
- Hurst Castle – History from Henry VIII to the Second World War.
- Southwick House – General Dwight D Eisenhower Headquarters prior to the D-Day invasion.
- Chichester Cathedral – 900 years of British History.
- Bucklers Hard – Historic shipbuilding village near Beaulieu.
Perhaps include a walking tour round Old Portsmouth (Cathedral, Garrison Church, Round Tower, and Spice Island) or a walk along Southsea common with its many Memorials and historic pier.
Other variations on numbers and duration available plus day trips available on Request.
Experience information
Each group will have its own special interests and curricular needs. That is why every visit can be completely tailored to you. You will find some suggestions below, but you can always call us to discuss more options.
Other variations on numbers and duration available, plus day trips available on request.
