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Select School Tours

History & D-Day Anniversary Tour

Key Highlights

Location

Normandy

Subject

History & Politics

Duration

3 days, 2 nights

Transport

Coach

About this trip

Discover the story of D-Day from both sides of the Channel, beginning in Portsmouth where the preparations for Operation Overlord were planned, before travelling to Normandy to explore the beaches and battlefields where history unfolded.

With a visit to the D-Day Story Museum in Portsmouth, gain a deeper understanding of the strategy, sacrifice and determination behind the largest seaborne invasion in history. Then continue to Normandy to walk in the footsteps of those who landed, visiting key sites of remembrance and the landscapes that shaped the course of the Second World War.

Combining the British and Normandy perspectives, this unique tour brings the full D-Day story to life—from planning to action, and from preparation to liberation.

Day 1 Find out more
  • The D-day Story Museum – Portsmouth
  • Depart on ferry crossing
  • Arrive at Chateau
  • Pegasus Bridge
  • 360 Cinema Arromanches
  • German Defences – Longues Sur Mer
  • US Cemetery
  • British Cemetery
  • British Normandy Memorial
  • Winston Churchill Centre
  • Ferry check-in for channel crossing
  • Arrive back in Portsmouth

Excursion Ideas

The D-Day Story – Portsmouth Find out more

The D-Day Story – Portsmouth

Subject Range: History
What you’ll experience: Discover the story of what took place on the 6 th June 1944 at The D-Day Story, the only UK museum dedicated to the momentous events that took place that day. Explore the personal accounts of the people who were there through audio-visual presentations alongside objects from the museum’s collection. The museum, based in Portsmouth, includes the Landing Craft Tank 7074 (LCT 7074), which is the last surviving LCT from D-Day, see what it took to plan the operation. Find out more about D-Day and the battle of Normandy, and finally discover its legacy and view the impressive 83 metre Overlord Embroidery. Please note that this tour is only available to groups crossing the channel via Portsmouth.

Arromanches 360 Circular Cinema

Subject Range: History
What you’ll experience: A film about the terrible Battle of Normandy taken from archive images from around the world is projected in high definition on 9 screens. This film is a tribute to soldiers from all countries and to the 20,000 civilians who were killed during this battle for the liberation of Europe.
Select Says: A preview can be viewed on Arromanches Circular Cinema website. There is a great view of Mulberry Harbour from up here, and views of Bayeaux town and the coast line.

German Battery – Longues-sur-Mer

Subject Range: History
What you’ll experience: This formidable German battery, built on a picturesque cliff, included four fearsome 150mm canons, capable of firing on targets 20km away. It took a bombardment carried out by the Royal Air Force and two hits by a French cruiser to destroy it definitively on 6 June 1944.
Select Says: The battery’s observation post was the backdrop for one of the most famous scenes of the film The Longest Day.

British Normandy Memorial

Subject Range: History
What you’ll experience: The British Normandy Memorial commemorates the 22,442 servicemen and women under British command who fell on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy, representing over 30 countries. The site also features a French Memorial honoring local civilians lost during the conflict. Visitors can now explore the new Winston Churchill exhibition, offering insight into the leadership and decisions that shaped this pivotal moment in history.

Winston Churchill Centre

Subject Range: History
What you’ll experience: The Winston Churchill Centre for Education and Learning is set to open on 6 June 2024, in honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The new building will house two educational exhibition galleries telling stories of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, curated by The Royal British Legion. A specially designed classroom for use by schools from the UK, France and beyond will also be available, plus a shop selling official merchandise and a café.

Accommodation Options

Château du Baffy Find out more

Château du Baffy

Our Rating:

Capacity: 187
Location: Colombiers-sur-Seulles
What you’ll experience: The Château is just 6 km from the charming seaside town of Courseulles-sur-Mer, with its yacht harbour and sandy beaches, and close to Bayeux and the D-Day landing beaches—making it the perfect base for educational excursions in this historic region. Accommodation: The estate comprises Château du Baffy, Villa Matilde, and our new Woodland Village, sleeping up to 187 guests combined in 2–5 bedded en-suite rooms. Facilities: On-site amenities include two restaurants, a teachers’ lounge, sun terrace, meeting room, lawned gardens, barbecue area, and a 100 m² sports hall. Why schools love us: All buildings can take a full coach, allowing groups sole occupancy. Schools return year after year—not just for the estate, but for our outstanding team. From our experienced operations staff and welcoming on-site team, to our fantastic French manager and renowned chef Thierry, everyone is dedicated to creating a seamless, inspiring, and fun-filled experience for students and teachers. One teacher commented: “Beautiful setting – a great place to take school groups. Plenty of outdoor space and a very French-feeling dining room. Ideal location to explore this wonderful area.”

UNCMT Tailleville

Our Rating:

Capacity: 50
Location: Tailleville
What you’ll experience: Tailleville is a traditional rural hamlet just 3km from Courseulles and 12km from Arromanches. The UNCMT is set in its own grounds and is a great accommodation for school groups, with classrooms available if required as well as plenty of enclosed outside space. Rooms: Rooms: Mostly en-suite rooms, some shared facilities. Facilities: Facilities: Restaurant, meeting rooms, table tennis, volleyball.

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