The D Day Story in Portsmouth: A Journey into History
Visiting the D Day Story in Portsmouth is an experience that should not be missed. It offers a unique opportunity to delve into the pivotal events of World War II and gain a deeper understanding of the Normandy landings. Firstly, the museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts and exhibits that bring the history to life, allowing visitors to see and touch items used during the D Day operations. From uniforms and weaponry to personal belongings and diaries, these tangible pieces of history create a profound connection with the past. Secondly, the museum provides a comprehensive narrative, guiding visitors through the planning, execution, and aftermath of the landings. The informative displays, interactive exhibits, and audiovisual presentations offer a multi-sensory experience, immersing visitors in the sheer scale and bravery of the operation.The opportunity to walk along the seafront, imagining the battleships on the horizon and the intensity of the momentous day, adds an extra layer to the visit.

The Vyne, originally a Tudor mansion but now showing 500 years of development and set in 13 acres of beautiful gardens. On a typical wet winter’s day, the walk from the car park to the mansion is still beautiful. Inside, are a whole variety of fascinating objects to observe in a series of rooms from various periods. We particularly liked the Tudor sections and discovering references to Henry VIII and his first wife Katherine of Aragon. What is ironic is that the house has numerous emblems of Catherine of Aragon in the “Long Gallery” and in the chapel and yet Anne Boleyn visited it twice and must have seen them! In the Long Gallery, you will see emblems or heraldry of numerous Tudor notables and it is fun discovering and recognising as many as you can. Another high point of the Vyne is the beautiful chapel and its stained glass windows.

Why did Henry VIII build Southsea Castle and what has it to do with his wives and the Mary Rose? All these questions and more are answered in this blog. Henry’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon caused him grave problems with the Pope and Kings of France and Spain. To save his throne from disaster, he built Southsea Castle to a new revolutionary design. Only a year after it was completed, a French fleet was present in the solent ready to attack and disaster struck. Henry based at Southsea Castle saw his premier ship, the Mar Rose, sink in front of his eyes without a shot being fired. Post Tudor history of Southsea Castle is also covered along with information and photos of what visitors to Southsea Castle can expect to see on a visit.

See a beautiful, gothic cathedral with the tallest spire in the country and see the best preserved of the four surviving original copies of Magna Carta, one of the most important documents in the world. The cathedral stands alone in its own beautiful grounds so that you can have an unimpeded view all the way around and even enjoy a picnic. The cathedral that John Constable loved to paint. Go on a tower tour and climb stairs to over 200 feet above ground level. Stroll around the biggest cloisters in Britain. See a beautiful interior and, as it lacks an interior screen, you can see from one end to the other. See the oldest working medieval clock in the world. If you are there when the choir is rehearsing, you will experience mindfulness and be at peace with the world.

St Thomas’s houses the largest, most complete and best preserved Doom painting in the UK. It is a great representation about what was going on in the Medieval mind, especially with regard to religious views and teachings. The painting is huge and probably totally different from what you would expect to be on a church wall. It is absolutely stunning or to use a modern overused phrase, awesome. To put it simply, it is a wonderful piece of medieval art and is in excellent condition. The detail and story will entice you to stay studying it for quite some time.

Bones, stones , pots and relics, one of the best museums to get close to your ancestors at Corinium museum in the Cotswolds. It is , by far, one of the best museums to get see prehistoric, Roman and Saxon remains. There are so many things to see and so many information boards that it is impossible not to learn a huge amount about our ancestors. It gives visitors an opportunity to handle replicas such as in the two photos above. You will be able to get a close look at archaeological discoveries that are regularly discovered with great excitement on tv programmes but then are taken off to be studied in private at universities. The Neolithic and Beaker people pottery are good examples of this, whilst at this museum, you can see all the decoration on their pots and begin to see how different decorations show different periods of prehistory. You can see various graves that have been reconstructed and appreciate the work of archaeologists carefully uncovering such finds to get the full picture and maximum information from their dig.

Seeingthepast.com gives you tons of information to help you plan a very successful visit to the Weald and Downland Living Museum. The museum is large and spread out and so planning your visit will improve your day. At the museum you can discover numerous historic buildings set in forty acres of the beautiful South Down’s National Park surroundings. Explore a collection of over 50 restored and replica buildings from a time period stretching from Anglo-Saxon to Edwardian times (approximately 950 AD to 1910 AD). Visitors can have a friendly and informative chat to numerous guides waiting to enthral you with the stories of these incredible structures. You can go inside and see the different kitchens, bedrooms and heating arrangements. Watch various demonstrations taking place and discuss with some highly skilled craftsmen and women what they are doing.

Portchester Castle is one of history’s “must see places”. It is the best preserved example of a Roman fort north of the Alps and within its walls , is one of the best preserved examples of a medieval square keep. You get two for the price of one at Portchester! Whereas, in many square keeps, access is only available on the ground floor, at Portchester 3 floors of the keep are open to the public and covid permitting, so is the rooftop with a fine view over the harbour. Originally built to curb the activities of “Frankish Pirates” it then took on a medieval identity with many key events in English history are associated with it such as the battles of Crecy and Agincourt.

No need to go to France to see the Bayeux Tapestry, go to Reading Museum instead. It’s there in its entirety for all to see and its free! Whilst you are there, have a look at the Silchester exhibition, the story of the old Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum that was abandoned and returned to agricultural land. Behind the museum are the remains of Reading Abbey, one of the largest in the country and the burial place of Henry I.