Official School Trip Partner.
Select School Travel the preferred travel provider for school groups visiting the British Normandy Memorial
About the programme
Select School Travel is proud to highlight its ongoing partnership with the British Normandy Memorial, working alongside the Winston Churchill Centre for Education and Learning. The alliance marks a significant milestone in educational school travel. The collaboration recognises Select School Travel as the preferred travel provider for school groups visiting the British Normandy Memorial. In addition, the partnership also confirms the elegant Château du Baffy, located in Colombiers-sur-Seulles, as the preferred accommodation for visiting schools. Just 15 minutes from the Memorial, Château du Baffy provides the perfect base for immersive historical tours and educational experiences in Normandy. With its rich character and comfortable facilities, our château offers students a unique opportunity to reflect on the legacy of D-Day in an inspiring and ideally located setting.
“We are honoured to work alongside the British Normandy Memorial to enhance educational visits to this important site of remembrance. This partnership strengthens our commitment to providing schools with meaningful, well-organised, and historically rich travel experiences.“
Martyn Bowden, Chairman, Select School Travel.
The alliance sets us apart from our competitors, in being able for us to offer considerable benefits for schools when visiting the British Normandy Memorial and Winston Churchill Education Centre. School groups engage with the history of the Normandy landings, combining high-quality accommodation, expert planning, and a deep respect for those who served.
The British Normandy Memorial
Perched on the heights of Mont Fleury, overlooking the Gold Beach sector, the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer is a place for reflection and remembrance of service personnel who fell during the Battle of Normandy.
The Memorial records the names of the 22,541 servicemen and women under British command who fell on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy in the summer of 1944.
This includes people from more than 30 different countries. Inscribed in stone, their names were finally brought together on the Memorial’s 161 pillars, on the hillside overlooking Gold Beach.
On 6 June 2024 Their Majesties The King and Queen, Normandy Veterans and international dignitaries came together to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
‘The Education Experience’
at The Winston Churchill Centre
Engaging young people with the legacy of D-Day through storytelling, research and immersive technology.
Martyn Bowden, Chairman, Select School Travel.
The Winston Churchill Centre features two exhibition galleries and a classroom space, as well as a café area serving light refreshments and a shop selling official British Normandy Memorial merchandise. It is positioned within the wider Memorial grounds.
What to expect from your visit
Pre-Visit Research and Discovery
Before visiting, students can explore the Memorial’s enhanced Digital Roll of Honour to identify a fallen serviceman — often someone from their local area.
Using guidance provided by the Trust’s researcher students can begin to investigate that individual’s life and service. Verified findings are added to the Memorial’s permanent records and credited to both the student and their school.
Veterans Welcome
On arrival, groups are welcomed by Laura Haynes, Education Co-ordinator, and introduced to the Memorial through a short film narrated by Normandy Veteran Ambassador Ken Hay MBE.
The film places D-Day within the wider context of the Second World War, combining historical insight with Ken’s powerful first-hand testimony. It also features the voices of other Second World War veterans, offering a broader and deeply personal perspective on what it was like to be there.
Young Explorers
Students then take part in a self-guided outdoor tour of the Memorial, supported by our engaging Young Explorers’ Guide.
Operation Remembrance: A digitally immersive experiance
Stations 1 and 2 of Operation Remembrance are currently available for groups of up to 20 students, offering an engaging and interactive introduction to the programme.
Station 3 (Virtual Reality) can be offered on a bespoke basis at the Memorial—please speak with our Education Coordinator to explore options for your group.
Station 1: D-Day Strategy Game
Step into the role of Allied planners through a series of interactive challenges and decision-making activities. Using real historical scenarios, students explore the scale and complexity of preparing for D-Day while working together to solve problems under pressure.
Station 2: AI Veteran Conversations
Engage in real-time, AI-powered conversations with the voices of those who served on D-Day and during the Normandy campaign. Students can ask questions and hear authentic responses, bringing personal stories vividly to life.
Station 3: Virtual Reality Spy Mission
Take on the role of an Allied intelligence operative in occupied France through an immersive VR experience. Navigate covert missions and discover the vital, often unseen work that supported the success of D-Day.
Available on a bespoke basis at the Memorial—please speak with our Education Coordinator to discuss options for your group.
Why it matters
History comes alive. Students don’t just learn — they take part in preserving the memory of those who gave everything. It is an experience that builds empathy, understanding, and a lasting connection to our shared past.