Gold Beach and Arromanches: Mulberry Harbour and the British D-Day Landings

Gold Beach, Normandy, was one of the five Allied landing zones on D-Day, 6 June 1944, assigned to the British 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division. Stretching from Le Hamel to La Rivière, this section of the Normandy coast saw heavy resistance from German defenses but was ultimately secured by late afternoon. The success at Gold Beach allowed the Allies to link up with the Americans landing at Omaha to the west and the Canadians at Juno to the east — a vital step in forming the continuous front that would push inland toward Bayeux and Caen.  Today, Gold Beach and the nearby town of Arromanches-les-Bains are among the most fascinating places to explore the British story of D-Day.  This is my guide to the landings at Gold Beach, Normandy, and how to explore the museums, memorials, and Mulberry Harbors of Arromanches.

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Set along the Calvados coast between Bayeux and Courseulles-sur-Mer, Gold Beach and Arromanches-les-Bains formed the heart of the British sector during the Normandy landings. This stretch of shoreline not only witnessed the bravery of the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division but also became a triumph of wartime engineering with the construction of the Mulberry Harbour — a temporary port that enabled the Allies to offload men, vehicles, and supplies at an astonishing pace. The remains of the ingenious Mulberry Harbour still lie offshore, while museums and memorials tell the story of how engineering brilliance and determination turned a small coastal town into one of the war’s most critical supply points.  Here’s what to see and how to visit Gold Beach and Arromanches today.

A Brief History of Gold Beach and WWII

Gold Beach was assigned to the British 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division as part of the D-Day invasion on 6 June 1944. The objective was to seize the coastal town of Arromanches and Bayeux, slightly inland, cut the main road to Caen, and link up with the Canadian forces landing at Juno Beach to the east. Supported by naval bombardments and specialized armoured units known as “Hobart’s Funnies,” the British troops began landing around 07:25 under heavy German fire. Despite the strong defences, they broke through by midday, capturing key strongpoints and moving inland.

By nightfall, the British had landed more than 25,000 men, establishing a secure bridgehead. They made it further inland than any other sector. 

Within days, engineers began assembling the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches — an extraordinary floating port that allowed thousands of tons of supplies to be unloaded directly onto the beaches. This innovation proved vital to sustaining the Allied advance across France.

Today, reminders of these events can still be seen across Gold Beach and Arromanches.

Timeline of Events

• 06 June 1944, 07:25: British 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division lands at Gold Beach under heavy fire.
• 06 June 1944, 12:00: German defences are breached near Le Hamel; British forces advance inland.
• 06 June 1944, Evening: The 69th Brigade links up with Canadian troops from Juno Beach
• 06 June 1944:   Landing forces reach Bayeux
• 07 June 1944:  Bayeux is captured.
• 07 June 1944: Engineers begin assembling sections of the Mulberry Harbour off Arromanches.
• 09 June 1944: Gold Beach is fully secured; supplies and reinforcements begin to arrive through the artificial harbour.
• 18 June 1944: The Mulberry Harbour becomes fully operational, handling thousands of tons of supplies daily.
• 25 June 1944: British forces push inland toward Tilly-sur-Seulles and Caen, consolidating their gains.

What to See at Gold Beach

Gold Beach and the town of Arromanches-les-Bains offer one of the most vivid and accessible introductions to the British D-Day story.  There are museums filled with original equipment, memorials honouring the divisions that landed here, and the evocative remains of the vast Mulberry Harbour still visible offshore.

I’ll start with the museums here on Gold Beach, but your visit here needs to take into account the state of the tide (check tide times here), because it would be unconscionable to visit Arromanches and Gold Beach without exploring the remains of the Mulberry Harbor!

1. Nusée du Débarquement (The Landing Museum), Arromanches-les-Bains

The Landing Museum in Arromanches-les-Bains (Musée du Débarquement) is right above the beach, looking out over the sea where the massive Mulberry Harbour once operated, and you can still see its remains. When we visited, it was perhaps the 8^th or 9^th museum that we’d explored here in Normandy, and I still learned lots.  For me, it was the best museum in Normandy.    It opened in 2023, replacing what was the first museum built to cover the D Day landings, which opened originally on 5 June 1954.  The new museum is enormous and spectacular.

It is the most informative site for understanding how this incredible artificial port made the success of the Normandy campaign possible.

Inside, there’s a mix of models, machinery, and personal artefacts that bring the engineering story to life. The museum’s centrepiece is its large working scale model of the Mulberry Harbour — complete with moving elements that demonstrate how floating roadways and pontoons connected ships to the shore. Nearby displays show original D-Day equipment recovered from the sea, including anchors, sections of pontoons, and a detailed reconstruction of a Phoenix caisson (one of the giant concrete blocks that formed the harbour’s breakwaters).

Start with the 8-minute introductory film that covers the timeline from the Treaty of Versailles, through Hitler’s rise to power, to the construction of the artificial harbour at Arromanches, as it provides context for what happens next.  You’ll step through, next into the occupation of Europe and the preparation for D-Day.  Then there are separate rooms that cover the D-Day operation, the landings, and then the large-scale models of the Mulberry Harbors.  A spectacular overview of the port in operation is a brilliant way to understand how it all works.

Finally, the roof terrace gives spectacular views of the beach and the harbor.  While you’ll be tempted to visit the remains of the harbor before coming into the museum, you’ll get so much more out of your visit here by coming into the museum first.

• Address of D-Day Museum: Place du 6 Juin, 14117 Arromanches-les-Bains, France
• Cost of D-Day Museum: Around €12.70 per adult, €8.20 per child (6-18).  Tickets can only be purchased at the museum (not online).  A free audio guide is included in your ticket price (and it’s SUPERB).
• Opening hours of D-Day Museum: Closed in January.  February, November, December 10:00 – 17:00, March, October 09:30 to 17:30, April, September 09:00 – 18:00, May, June, July, August 09:00 – 19:00.  Sunday opening starts at 10:00 all year.  Closed 24, 25, 26 December.
• How long to spend at D-Day Museum: 90 minutes minimum.
• Website: https://www.musee-arromanches.fr
• How to get to D-Day Museum: In the centre of Arromanches, opposite the main beach.  Park in one of the paid parking lots nearby. 
• Map location of D-Day Museum: https://goo.gl/maps/BGRQH9bqcgk2y9HQ8

2. The Artificial Harbours at Arromanches

Just down from the Museum of the Landings in Arromanches-les-Bains are the remains of one of the greatest engineering feats of World War II, and they’re still visible at low tide.  This is the Mulberry Harbour, known as Port Winston. (and yes, it was named after the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill).

The Mulberry Harbor was needed to allow the Allies to unload thousands of tons of vehicles, supplies, and reinforcements directly onto the beaches without needing a captured port.  They were built in secrecy in southern England, and then this temporary floating harbour was towed across the Channel immediately after D-Day and assembled off Gold Beach in just a matter of days.

The harbour consisted of massive concrete caissons (known as Phoenixes), floating roadways (Whales), and pierheads (Spuds) that rose and fell with the tide. When operational, it handled more than 4,000 tons of equipment each day — everything from fuel trucks to tanks and food supplies. It was so effective that the entire Allied advance into France was sustained through Arromanches for nearly ten months after D-Day.  Want to know what that looks like in numbers?  Here’s what came through Port Winston

• 2.5 million men
• 500,000 vehicles
• 4 million tonnes of supplies

Today, many of the concrete blocks still sit in the surf, their silhouettes stretching across the horizon from Arromanches toward Asnelles. The best views are from the cliffs above town, near the Arromanches 360 Cinema, where you can see the full layout of the harbour remains. At low tide, you can walk right up to some of the surviving pieces on the beach, giving a sense of their colossal size.

Interpretation panels around the seafront explain how the harbour was constructed, but the BEST way to understand how it all worked is to go into the Landing Museum in Arromanches-les-Bains (the one I wrote about just above this)

• Address of Mulberry Harbour remains: Beachfront and offshore from Arromanches-les-Bains, France
• Cost of Mulberry Harbour remains: Free
• Opening hours of Mulberry Harbour remains: Open year-round (best seen at low tide)
• How long to spend at Mulberry Harbour remains: 45 minutes to 1 hour
• Website: https://www.normandy-tourism.fr
• How to get to Mulberry Harbour remains: Visible from the seafront and accessible by foot from central Arromanches (0.2 miles / 0.3 kilometres); park in paid-for parking in Arromanches les Bains.
• Map location of Mulberry Harbour remains: https://goo.gl/maps/D6Z7EaaFGSwE6Mim8

3. Arromanches 360° Circular Cinema

You’ll find this attraction on the cliffs above Arromanches-les-Bains.  The Arromanches 360° Circular Cinema offers one of the most powerful audiovisual experiences in Normandy. Built overlooking the remains of the Mulberry Harbour, it will take you through the story of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy through breathtaking panoramic footage and sound. The nine-screen theatre completely surrounds you, blending original wartime film with modern aerial shots of the region’s battlefields, beaches, and memorials.

The 20-minute film, “Normandy’s 100 Days,” tells the story not just of the landings themselves but also of the long, grueling campaign that followed — the bombing of Caen, the hedgerow fighting, and the liberation of Paris. All footage is taken from authentic Allied archives and restored in high definition, accompanied by an emotive orchestral soundtrack. It’s not a typical museum exhibit; there are no displays or artefacts here, just a cinematic experience that captures the scale, sacrifice, and determination of the Normandy campaign.

Outside, the viewing terraces around the cinema provide the best panoramic views of the Mulberry Harbour remains.

• Address of Arromanches 360° Circular Cinema: Chemin du Calvaire, 14117 Arromanches-les-Bains, France
• Cost of Arromanches 360° Circular Cinema: €7 per adult.  If you’re visiting the Caen Memorial, then buy a combo ticket to cover that as well, and you’ll save money.
• Opening hours of Arromanches 360° Circular Cinema: Daily, 10:00–18:00 (but there are some seasonal variations)
• How long to spend at Arromanches 360° Circular Cinema: 45 minutes (20 minutes to watch the film)
• Website: https://www.arromanches360.com
• How to get to Arromanches 360° Circular Cinema: Located on the cliffs above Arromanches; about a 10-minute uphill walk from the D-Day Museum (0.5 miles / 0.8 kilometers). A car park is available near the cinema.
• Map location of Arromanches 360° Circular Cinema: https://goo.gl/maps/VrUmxdX9yzyCye2n9

4. The Bayeux War Cemetery

The Bayeux War Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth burial ground in France, holding the graves of more than 4,100 soldiers who fell during the Normandy campaign. Set in beautifully kept gardens just outside the town center, it’s a place of quiet reflection rather than grandeur. Each headstone, marked with a regimental badge and personal inscription, tells a story of courage and loss. The cemetery also includes memorials to over 1,800 soldiers whose bodies were never recovered.

Facing the cemetery across the road stands the Bayeux Memorial, inscribed with the names of the missing from the Normandy and north-western Europe campaigns. Together, they offer one of the most moving tributes to the men who liberated France in 1944.

• Address of Bayeux War Cemetery: Boulevard Fabian Ware, 14400 Bayeux, France
• Cost of Bayeux War Cemetery: Free
• Opening hours of Bayeux War Cemetery: Open daily, 09:00–18:00 (gates open year-round)
• How long to spend at Bayeux War Cemetery: 30–45 minutes
• Website: https://www.cwgc.org
• How to get to Bayeux War Cemetery: About 10 miles (16 kilometres) west of Arromanches; parking available beside the cemetery.
• Map location of Bayeux War Cemetery: https://goo.gl/maps/QbG6ZQqjXxJ2

5. The Bayeux Tapestry

Ok, I know.  It’s not a WWII site, but you can’t come to Bayeux and not see this.  Unless, of course, you’re visiting between September 2025 and September 2027, when the museum is closed.

It’s important, though.  And a fascinating place to visit.  It was also coveted by the Nazi’s, as they rampaged through Europe, looting art, wine, and culture.  It’s said that Himmler wanted the tapestry to decorate the unique triangular Wewelsburg Castle in Paderborn that he’d appropriated as a meeting place for the SS.  It is also well worth a visit!

Back to the tapestry, which you should also visit if you can.  It dates from the 11^th century, is nearly 70 meters long, and tells the story of the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Of course, the history belongs to the victor, and so it tells one side of the story, but it’s also a reminder that Normandy has been the stage for invasions that shaped European history for centuries.

The tapestry is displayed in a purpose-built, dimly lit gallery designed to protect it, with audio guides available in multiple languages. You walk around it shuffling slowly, following the line, and it is an incredible thing to see.  After viewing the tapestry, an exhibition explains its creation, preservation, and historical significance.

• Address of Bayeux Tapestry Museum: 13B Rue de Nesmond, 14400 Bayeux, France
• Cost of Bayeux Tapestry Museum: €12 per adult
• Opening hours of Bayeux Tapestry Museum: CLOSED until September 2027
• How long to spend at Bayeux Tapestry Museum: 1 hour
• Website: https://www.bayeuxmuseum.com
• How to get to Bayeux Tapestry Museum: In Bayeux town centre, about 10 miles (16 kilometres) from Arromanches; public parking nearby.
• Map location of Bayeux Tapestry Museum: https://goo.gl/maps/bmyK8KpRLbS2

6. Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy (Bayeux)

The Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy provides an in-depth overview of the entire Normandy campaign from 7 June to 29 August 1944. Its modern exhibitions trace the Allied push from the beaches to the liberation of Paris, using original weapons, uniforms, vehicles, and personal items.

There’s a full-size Sherman tank, dioramas of key battles, and detailed maps explaining troop movements. The museum’s chronological layout details how each front advanced and how logistical bases like the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches sustained the offensive.

• Address of Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy: Boulevard Fabian Ware, 14400 Bayeux, France
• Cost of Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy: Around €7.50 per adult
• Opening hours of the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy: Daily from February 1^st until December 31st. Opening times are detailed https://www.bayeuxmuseum.com/en/memorial-museum-battle-of-normandy/practical-information-battle-of-normandy-museum/#prices
• How long to spend at the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy: 1.5–2 hours
• Website: https://www.bayeuxmuseum.com
• How to get to Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy: 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometres) from Bayeux centre; free on-site parking.
• Map location of Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy: https://goo.gl/maps/syASg5xxaj52

7. British Normandy Memorial

Located at Ver-sur-Mer overlooking Gold Beach, the British Normandy Memorial is one of the most significant recent additions to the D-Day landscape. Opened in 2021, it honours the 22,442 service personnel under British command who died on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy. The site’s minimalist design features limestone pillars engraved with every name — arranged by date of death — set around a central courtyard and bronze sculpture depicting British soldiers storming the beach.

• Address of British Normandy Memorial: Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 14114 Ver-sur-Mer, France
• Cost of British Normandy Memorial: Free
• Opening hours of British Normandy Memorial: Open year-round, daylight hours
• How long to spend at British Normandy Memorial: 45 minutes–1 hour
• Website: https://www.britishnormandymemorial.org
• How to get to British Normandy Memorial: 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) east of Arromanches; signposted from D514, paid for parking onsite, no cash payment option, card only. (€3.50 for parking all day)
• Map location of British Normandy Memorial: https://goo.gl/maps/TEkrpXbwzFDv8gsX8

8. America & Gold Beach Museum

The America & Gold Beach Museum in Ver-sur-Mer tells two intertwined stories and is, in essence, two separate but conjoined museums.  The Gold Beach Museum tells the story of the British Landings on Gold Beach.  The America museum is about a plane (named America) that crash landed here in 1927, while trying to deliver airmail.  It was  Commander Richard Byrd and pilot Floyd Bennett, who crash-landed near Ver-sur-Mer during an attempt to fly from New York to Paris. Together, the displays highlight the town’s dual place in both 20th-century war and aviation history.

• Address of America & Gold Beach Museum: Place Winston Churchill, 14114 Ver-sur-Mer, France
• Cost of America & Gold Beach Museum: €5 per adult, €2.50 children (u15)
• Opening hours of America & Gold Beach Museum: Daily, 10:00–18:00 (closed November–May), closes for lunch 13:00 – 14:00
• How long to spend at America & Gold Beach Museum: 45 minutes
• Website: https://www.goldbeachmusee.fr
• How to get to America & Gold Beach Museum: In Ver-sur-Mer centre, 2.5 miles (4 kilometres) east of Arromanches; free parking adjacent.
• Map location of America & Gold Beach Museum: https://goo.gl/maps/vd3zAE6XVa32

9. The Stanley Hollis Hut D-Day Memorial

Dedicated to Company Sergeant Major Stanley Hollis, the only British soldier awarded the Victoria Cross for actions on D-Day, the Stanley Hollis Hut Memorial marks one of the key moments of bravery on Gold Beach. Hollis led his men of the Green Howards Regiment through heavy fire to neutralise two German pillboxes and capture numerous prisoners — acts that saved countless lives and allowed his unit to advance inland.  Stanley Hollis’s story is here.

A replica of the original Nissen hut used by his company now stands as a small memorial display beside the main road near Mont Fleury Battery. Panels tell Hollis’s story and the broader role of the Green Howards in the landings.

• Address of Stanley Hollis Hut D-Day Memorial: Route de Crépon (D65), near Mont Fleury, 14114 Ver-sur-Mer, France
• Cost of Stanley Hollis Hut D-Day Memorial: Free
• Opening hours of Stanley Hollis Hut D-Day Memorial: Open year-round
• How long to spend at Stanley Hollis Hut D-Day Memorial: 15–20 minutes
• How to get to Stanley Hollis Hut D-Day Memorial: 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres) northeast of Ver-sur-Mer, on D65; roadside parking available.
• Map location of Stanley Hollis Hut D-Day Memorial: https://goo.gl/maps/CKEoZAXMpmT2

Recommended Itinerary and Route for Visiting Gold Beach

The best way to explore Gold Beach and Arromanches is by car or bicycle, following the D514 coastal road that connects the key sites of the British landing sector. Starting in Bayeux, you can trace the events of 6 June 1944 through museums, memorials, and viewpoints that bring both the military history and human stories of D-Day to life. Allow a full day to take it all in — the distances between stops are short, but each location deserves time for reflection.

Begin in Bayeux, where the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy provides essential context before you head to the coast. From there, continue to the Bayeux War Cemetery, then drive to Arromanches-les-Bains, the heart of the Gold Beach sector. Here you’ll find the D-Day Museum, Arromanches 360° Cinema, and the Mulberry Harbour remains — all within walking distance of one another.

Next, drive east toward Ver-sur-Mer to visit the British Normandy Memorial, the America & Gold Beach Museum, and the Stanley Hollis Hut Memorial. End your day back in Arromanches for a sunset walk along the beach or a quiet moment at the D-Day 75 Garden of Remembrance. The coastal parking areas at Arromanches and Ver-sur-Mer are well signposted, with cafés and restrooms nearby.

Suggested One-Day Itinerary

• 09:30 – Arrive in Bayeux and visit the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy
• 11:00 – Walk through the Bayeux War Cemetery and the memorial opposite
• 12:00 – Drive to Arromanches-les-Bains and stop for lunch near the seafront
• 13:00 – Explore the Landings Museum and view the Mulberry Harbour remains from the promenade
• 15:00 – Head uphill to the Arromanches 360° Cinema for the panoramic film and harbour viewpoint
• 16:00 – Continue east along D514 to Ver-sur-Mer; visit the British Normandy Memorial
• 17:00 – Explore the America & Gold Beach Museum and Stanley Hollis Hut Memorial nearby

This route follows the story of D-Day from planning and sacrifice to engineering achievement and remembrance, giving a complete picture of the British landings at Gold Beach.

Where to Eat and Drink near Gold Beach

Arromanches-les-Bains has plenty of relaxed cafés and small seaside restaurants where you can unwind after exploring the D-Day sites. Most offer fresh seafood, local cider, and good views of the beach or harbour. In nearby Bayeux, you’ll find bistros serving traditional Norman fare — ideal for rounding off a day spent tracing history along the coast.

La Marine

• Address: 1 Place du 6 Juin, 14117 Arromanches-les-Bains, France
• Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/2P3MbvvLG2eG1xwaA
  Right on the seafront opposite the D-Day Museum, La Marine is known for its terrace with panoramic views of the Mulberry Harbour. It’s perfect for lunch or an early evening drink while watching the tide roll in. Try the moules marinières, Normandy cider, or a crème brûlée made with local Calvados.

Le Pappagall

• Address: 5 Place du 6 Juin, 14117 Arromanches-les-Bains, France
• Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/vNhHMXy5uWRXqipm9
  A long-time favourite for both locals and visitors, Le Pappagall combines relaxed brasserie classics with excellent seafood platters. Its location, just a few steps from the beach, makes it ideal for a casual dinner after the day’s museum visits.

Le Pommier Restaurant

• Address: 40 Rue des Cuisiniers, 14400 Bayeux, France
• Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/QFJrMf3xLoQ2
  If you’re staying in Bayeux, Le Pommier offers a more refined dining experience focused on regional produce — think duck breast with apple sauce, local cheeses, and Calvados soufflé. The warm, rustic interior and quiet courtyard garden make it a lovely place for an evening meal.

Where to Stay to Visit Gold Beach

Staying near Arromanches or Bayeux makes visiting Gold Beach and the surrounding D-Day sites easy and rewarding. These towns offer a mix of seafront hotels, charming guesthouses, and convenient self-catering options — all within a short drive of the British Normandy Memorial, Ver-sur-Mer, and the Arromanches museums. Each of the following stays offers free cancellation and consistently strong reviews for comfort, cleanliness, and location.

Hôtel de la Marine – Located directly on the seafront in Arromanches-les-Bains, less than 100 yards (90 metres) from the D-Day Museum. Many rooms have views over the Mulberry Harbour, and the on-site restaurant serves local seafood and cider. Check availability here.

Hôtel Churchill – In the heart of Bayeux, 10 miles (16 kilometres) from Gold Beach. This mid-range hotel is popular for its proximity to the Bayeux War Cemetery and museums, plus easy parking and friendly service.  See more reviews here.

Ferme de la Rançonnière – A restored 13th-century stone farmhouse in Crépon, just 3 miles (5 kilometres) from Arromanches. The rooms combine rustic charm with modern comfort, and the restaurant serves local specialties in a historic setting. This is popular, book early.

Appartement le 6 Juin – A fully equipped self-catering apartment in the centre of Arromanches-les-Bains, ideal for families.  Check rates here.

Books to Read About Gold Beach and WWII

Reading about the Normandy landings before or after your visit gives a deeper understanding of what took place on these beaches. I am an avid reader, and devour anything historic.  Here are my picks for the best books to read about the landings at Gold Beach.

Gold Beach: Inland from King, June 1944 – Andrew Rawson
A clear and detailed account of the British landings on Gold Beach, following the 50th (Northumbrian) Division from the shore to the push inland. It’s a combination of first-hand reports with maps and photos, and one of the best guides to the sector.  Get a copy here.

D-Day: The Battle for Normandy – Antony Beevor
Beevor’s comprehensive work covers the entire Normandy campaign, but his chapters on the British and Canadian beaches — including Gold — stand out for their clarity and insight. It’s both accessible and authoritative, and is available on Amazon

Overlord: D-Day and the Battle for Normandy – Max Hastings
This is a classic narrative history that brings together the voices of generals, soldiers, and civilians. Hastings captures the chaos, bravery, and scale of the landings, with vivid descriptions of the first days on Gold and Juno Beaches. Get your copy here.

The Longest Day – Cornelius Ryan
Still one of the most compelling reads on D-Day, Ryan’s book draws from interviews with hundreds of veterans to recreate the invasion from all sides. Though it focuses on the overall operation, the Gold Beach chapters offer unforgettable human stories.  It’s available on Amazon.

Movies and Documentaries about Gold Beach and Arromanches les Bains

Films and documentaries help bring the D-Day landings to life, offering vivid imagery of the beaches and the immense scale of the invasion. While there are a few productions that focus solely on Gold Beach, several feature the British sector or use real footage from Arromanches and the Mulberry Harbour. Watching these before or after visiting helps put the sites into context and appreciate the logistics and courage behind the operation.

The Longest Day – 1962, directed by Ken Annakin and others
An epic retelling of D-Day from multiple Allied and German perspectives. The film includes scenes depicting the British landings at Gold and Sword Beaches and remains one of the most authentic dramatizations of the invasion.  It’s available on Amazon Prime

D-Day 360 – 2014, PBS documentary
Using 3D mapping and digital forensics, this documentary reconstructs the landings at Omaha and Gold Beaches with extraordinary accuracy. It’s a concise, modern take that shows just how massive and complex the operation was.  It’s available on Amazon Prime.

Normandy ’44: The Battle Beyond D-Day – 2019, directed by Gary Johnstone
Narrated by historian James Holland, this documentary follows the Allied push inland after the landings. Filmed across the Gold Beach sector, it highlights how British troops fought through villages and hedgerows toward Caen.

WWII Sites around the World

We can’t claim to have visited every single WWII site around the world, but we’ve explored quite a few of them, admittedly we haven’t written about them all, but here are our guides to those that we have documented.

• Dunkirk & Operation Dynamo (France): What to see, how to visit.
• Utah Beach and the Normandy Landings (France): Where to stay, what not to miss.
• Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery (France): What to see
• Gold Beach – the British Sector – here’s what to see and how to visit.
• Kanchanaburi and the Death Railway in Thailand: What to see
• Hellfire Pass the the Building of the Death Railway (Thailand): Here’s what to see
• Thanbyuzayat Thai Burma Death Railway (Myanmar): How to get there and what to see
• The Sandakan Memorial, Borneo: (Malaysia): What happened here, why to visit.
• Sandakan to Ranau: the Death Marches (Malaysia): What happened here
• Penang: Malaysia & WWII: Exploring the War Museum.
• Labuan Island: Exploring WWII (Malaysia): Here’s what to see
• Kota Bharu: Did WWII in Asia start here?
• Nagasaki: (Japan): The peace park, the hypocenter and what to see here.
• Hiroshima: The bomb dome and peace park (Japan): What to see

Final Words on Visiting Gold Beach and Arromanches

Gold Beach and Arromanches are powerful reminders of Britain’s role in the success of D-Day and the liberation of Europe. From the engineering brilliance of the Mulberry Harbour to the personal stories honoured in the museums and memorials, this stretch of the Normandy coast brings history into sharp focus. Walking along the sand at low tide or standing on the cliffs above Arromanches, it’s easy to picture the landing craft approaching under fire and the determination that made the invasion succeed.

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