The British D-Day Story - Normandy

Itinerary

The British D-Day Story - Normandy

Delve into the story of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy on on this immersive tour, accompanied on both of our sightseeing days by an expert battlefield guide. Travelling through some of the most iconic sites associated with the Allied liberation of Europe, we gain a deeper understanding of the events of June 1944 and their lasting impact on the course of modern history. From the Caen Memorial Museum and the historic crossing at Pegasus Bridge to the landing beaches of Sword, Gold and Juno, each location brings a different perspective on the courage, sacrifice and strategic planning that shaped the campaign. A deeply moving highlight is the British Normandy Memorial, where over 22,000 names honour those who fell during the Battle of Normandy. We also take time to visit memorials, cemeteries and battlefield sites on this relaxed yet in-depth exploration.

The British D-Day Story - Normandy

• Return coach travel & LeShuttle crossings
• 3 nights at the Originals City Hotel Caen Mémorial, Caen (JG3 rating) with breakfast
• Excursions to selected landing beaches, cemeteries and the British Normandy Memorial
• Admission to the Arromanches D-Day Museum & Caen Memorial Museum
• Free time in Caen

The British D-Day Story - Normandy

Day 1 LeShuttle to Calais and on to our hotel in Caen, where we stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

The British D-Day Story - Normandy

Day 2Accompanied by an expert battlefield guide, today’s excursions take us to some of the most significant sites of the Normandy Campaign. We begin at Juno Beach, where Canadian forces landed on D-Day and continue to the British Normandy Memorial. Inaugurated on the 75th anniversary of D-Day, it honours over 22,000 servicemen and women under British command who lost their lives in the summer of 1944. At its heart stands an evocative sculpture by David Williams-Ellis. We visit Gold Beach, one of the key Allied landing sectors, where our guide brings the events of June 6th 1944 to life and then the Arromanches D-Day Museum, where we discover the story of the Mulberry Harbour, as original testimonies and immersive displays provide us with a deeper understanding of this pivotal moment in history. Next is the impressive Longues-sur-Mer German Battery, one of the best-preserved coastal defence positions in Normandy, before our final visit of the day to the Bayeux War Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in France, a poignant reminder of the sacrifice made during the liberation of Europe.

The British D-Day Story - Normandy

Day 3 After some free time to explore Caen’s lively Sunday morning market, we find out more about Normandy’s wartime history with visits to several key spots, again accompanied by an expert battlefields guide. We wander Caen Memorial Museum, where the story of the Second World War is placed within the wider context of 20th-century European history. We then visit Pegasus Bridge, site of one of the war’s most daring airborne operations and renamed in honour of the British 6th Airborne Division and their emblem, the winged horse Pegasus. Captured in the early hours of D-Day by glider troops, its seizure was crucial to protecting the eastern flank of the landings and preventing German reinforcements from reaching the coast. We pay our respects at the peaceful Ranville War Cemetery, the final resting place of many Allied servicemen and our day concludes at Sword Beach, where British forces came ashore on D-Day. 

The British D-Day Story - Normandy

Day 4 After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and head to Calais for our journey home on LeShuttle. Back to top

Accommodation

Originals City Hotel Caen Mémorial, Caen, France JG3

Located in the historic city of Caen, The Originals City Hotel offers a comfortable and convenient stay with free Wi-Fi, a welcoming bar and an outdoor terrace. Rooms are well-appointed with a TV and hairdryer. The hotel is ideally placed for exploring Caen’s medieval centre, with its lively markets, charming cafés and the impressive Château de Caen nearby.

Hotel Rating

Hotels with a JG3 rating tend to be a more formal style of hotel, often part of a hotel chain, or are very-welcoming family-owned properties. Generally, they offer a greater range of facilities and services, and bedrooms tend to be a little more spacious with additional features. Public areas are larger and include lounge seating, bar and restaurant with good quality food served either buffet style or waiter service.

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