Stonehenge vs. D-Day museum in Portsmouth

For me, visiting Stonehenge was a bucket list item so no contest. However, I will agree the visitor centre is truly world class. Note it is indoors and out. You ride a free shuttle bus from the visitor centre to the henge, or you can walk but it's about 1/4 mile (may not sound like much, but if it's lashing rain you may feel differently). If you have time you can also stop at Woodhenge and Durrington Walls, just east of the Stonehenge property. These plus Avebury did indeed deepen our appreciation.

Driving from Avebury to Stonehenge you can take the more direct route through Pewsey and Netheravon, which is slow because it's a narrow secondary road with many roundabouts, but an additional point of interest is that it goes through part of the Savernake Forest. Just be aware it takes longer than it looks on the map. Alternatively you can take the A4 east past Marlborough all the way to Speen/Newbury where you pick up the A34 south to the A303. This seems like it's way out of your way, but it's actually about the same driving time because the A34 and A303 are dual carriageway major routes.

I haven't been to Portsmouth so can't comment on how it compares.

I've only been to the Portsmouth D-Day Museum. I found the tapestry very meaningful and enjoyed talking with the docents about the impact on the city during WWII. So much of the D-Day story is told from the landing side, but it was interesting to hear and read about what happened on the departure side. However, from the sound of your post, Stonehenge might fit your interest better.

The D-Day Museum is interesting if you're interested in D-Day & WW2 but it only takes about an hour to visit if you happen to be in Portsmouth.

Stonehenge is a site of international significance for anyone interested in human beings - BUT with the proviso that it can feel a bit underwhelming because it's smaller than you might expect. I understand the new visitor experience is superb.

Personally, I feel that Stonehenge is way over-rated and overly busy, but that is down to my personal interests. It sounds as though it may suit your interests better than mine. Portsmouth offers a different experience. It sounds as though either would be worth you visiting.

I would not visit Stonehenge whilst the schools are on holiday and would go early to avoid the crowds.

We visited Avebury and Stonehenge in 2013 and were glad we did. To me Stonehenge is a must see. Funny, I have talked to several British people that think Stonehenge is overrated. Not sure why they believe that.

We have not been to Portsmouth, but we did a tour of Normandy from Le Harve that include the D-day beaches, American cemetery and most importantly the Bayeux Tapestry. My Wife and I both read two books about the Bayeux Tapestry, which is a history of the Norman invasion of England in 1066. The tapestry was made a few years after the invasion, so it is more than 900 years old, but is an amazing statement of history. The colors are magnificent. I don't know what tapestry is in Portsmouth. I would go to Stonehenge and do the D-day stuff on a visit to France.

You've all made excellent points. It's really helpful to 'talk' to people who have actually been to both sights. Thank you again.

When I was a kid, I lived about 3 miles from Stonehenge, I still live less than 20 miles away.
I hesitate to recommend Stonehenge because to me, same as to other Brits on this thread, it’s just a bunch of stones.
But our American cousins all rave about the place – including those who’ve visited – so it must hold some sort of attraction.
To get the best out of it, you really do need to read up about it – or there’s just the risk that you too might see only a bunch of stones.
Nowadays you need to pre-purchase timed tickets (half-hour window to arrive), because numbers are limited & without a ticket you may be delayed, which can screw up your whole day.
The old visitor centre was voted the worst for visitors in the entire UK – tired old tickets booths, decrepit toilets and an outdoor snackbar. The new one is very very different, but is some distance from the stones so you take a shuttle – only the hardy walk to the stones.

Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard & ships are worthy of a full day and more. But your ticket allows you to enter as often as you like for up to 12 months. Bear that in mind if you want a break from the place for an hour or two – it’s a five-minute taxi ride from the dockyard to the D-Day museum & there’s a taxi rank near the dock gate.

The D-Day museum is quite small, mainly small artefacts, photos & such, with only a handful of large exhibits and the flagship tapestry. It’s in a super seafront promenade setting, alongside Henry V111’s stubby little Southsea Castle. But the D-Day museum isn’t a patch on the many museums on the French side of the channel – if you plan to go to Normandy sometime then don’t bother with Portsmouth’s museum.

Stonehenge is iconic, and on the bucket-list of many of those who go there.
Portsmouth D-Day museum isn’t.
So it’s no-contest

Chris

Well, the Griswold family enjoyed Stonehenge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYy_TcbhcR0