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7-Day Driving Itinerary: Glasgow to Normandy D‑Day Beaches (Base in Caen) — Eurotunnel Outward, Nottingham Return

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Day 1: Drive to Eurotunnel

Folkestone, England on June 1, 2026

7:00am

Depart Glasgow

Early drive south from Glasgow to the Eurotunnel terminal area at Folkestone; plan for fuel and stretch stops — total driving ~7.5–8 hours depending on traffic.
GBP0, 8h0m.

3:30pm

Check in near Eurotunnel (overnight)

Stay at a hotel near Folkestone/Eurotunnel to make the morning crossing easy — recommended to pick a hotel with parking and shuttle to the terminal.
GBP110, 1h0m.

5:00pm

Evening walk — Folkestone Harbour/Harbour Arm

Stroll the harbour and old fishing quay for sea air and views; good for an easy evening after a long drive (public spaces, open at all hours).
GBP0, 1h0m.

7:00pm

Dinner — seafood or gastropub

Choose a harbour-side pub or seafood restaurant in Folkestone for fresh local fish; relaxing meal before an early crossing day.
GBP30, 1h30m.

Day 2: Cross to France

Calais → Caen, France on June 2, 2026

7:00am

Eurotunnel check‑in and crossing

Arrive early for Eurotunnel Le Shuttle check-in (recommended 45–60 minutes before departure for cars); the shuttle crossing is ~35 minutes but allow time for boarding and disembarkation.
GBP150, 1h30m.

10:00am

Drive Calais → Caen

Drive from Calais to your base in Caen (~2 h 45 min–3 h depending on route), scenic motorway and regional roads; aim to arrive midday/early afternoon to settle in.
EUR0, 3h0m.

2:00pm

Check into Caen base

Drop bags and park — staying in Caen gives easy access to both the beaches and inland memorials.
EUR0, 0h30m.

3:00pm

Light afternoon — Caen old town (Vaugueux)

Wander the medieval Vaugueux quarter for a first taste of Normandy — cafés and bakeries typically open mid-morning to evening.
EUR0, 1h30m.

7:00pm

Dinner — Caen

Try a Calvados‑friendly bistro in Caen for local dishes (seafood, Camembert, apple desserts).
EUR30, 1h30m.

Day 3: Pegasus & Beaches

Ranville, Ouistreham, Courseulles, Arromanches (base: Caen) on June 3, 2026

8:30am

Mémorial Pegasus (Pegasus Bridge / Ranville)

Visit the Pegasus Bridge area and the Mémorial Pegasus to learn about the British 6th Airborne operation; museum typically opens around 10:00am (summer) — check season-specific hours before travel.
EUR10, 1h30m.

11:00am

Sword Beach (Ouistreham)

Short stop at Sword Beach to see where British forces landed — public beach accessible any time and useful for understanding terrain.
EUR0, 0h45m.

12:30pm

Lunch — Courseulles‑sur‑Mer (Juno area)

Lunch in Courseulles-sur-Mer near Juno Beach — choose a seaside brasserie for fish and local salads and enjoy harbour views.
EUR20, 1h0m.

2:00pm

Juno Beach Centre (Courseulles‑sur‑Mer)

Comprehensive museum on the Canadian landings; plan 1–2 hours to view exhibits (usually open ~9:30–18:00 in summer).
EUR12, 1h30m.

4:00pm

Gold Beach / Arromanches cliffs

Explore Gold Beach sites and head to Arromanches for clifftop views over the Mulberry Harbour remains — great late-afternoon light for photos.
EUR0, 1h0m.

7:00pm

Dinner — Caen

Return to Caen and eat at a recommended local bistro for Normandy specialties.
EUR30, 1h30m.

Day 4: Bayeux & local history

Bayeux & surrounding, France on June 4, 2026

9:00am

Bayeux Tapestry Museum

See the famous 11th‑century Bayeux Tapestry — museum hours commonly around 9:30–18:00 (confirm for June 2026); allow ~1 hour for the display and audio guide.
EUR10, 1h0m.

10:30am

Bayeux Cathedral and town center

Walk the charming medieval streets, visit the cathedral and enjoy a café — Bayeux is excellent for an easy historical morning.
EUR0, 1h0m.

12:30pm

Lunch — Bayeux

Have lunch at a traditional crêperie or bistro in Bayeux; try galettes and local cider.
EUR20, 1h0m.

2:00pm

Bayeux War Cemetery & Commonwealth War Graves

Visit the large and moving Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery just outside Bayeux — open daylight hours and free to visit.
EUR0, 0h45m.

4:00pm

Optional: Musée Baron Gérard (Bayeux Museum) or free time

Spend an hour in Bayeux's fine museum or relax in town — museums typically open until late afternoon.
EUR6, 1h0m.

7:00pm

Dinner — Bayeux or return to Caen

Dine in Bayeux to avoid a long drive back after an active day, choosing seafood or regional dishes.
EUR28, 1h30m.

Day 5: American sector

Sainte‑Mère‑Église, Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc (base: Caen) on June 5, 2026

9:00am

Sainte‑Mère‑Église (Airborne Museum)

Start inland at the famous airborne town to see the Airborne Museum and the church where a paratrooper hung from the tower — museum typically opens ~10:00 but town sights are visible anytime.
EUR10, 1h0m.

11:00am

Utah/Carentan area (optional quick stop)

Drive by Utah landing sector / Carentan area for context; useful stop if you want to see varied landing beaches.
EUR0, 0h45m.

1:00pm

Lunch — near Omaha (Colleville/Vierville)

Lunch in a small coastal village near Omaha Beach — simple brasserie fare and local oysters in season.
EUR20, 1h0m.

2:30pm

Omaha Beach and Musée du Débarquement (Omaha)

Visit the wide Omaha Beach and the local museum to understand the American landings; museums typically open 10:00–18:00 in summer.
EUR8, 1h0m.

4:00pm

Pointe du Hoc

Walk the dramatic cliffs and preserved German bunkers at Pointe du Hoc; the site is freely accessible though the visitor center can have limited hours (usually daytime).
EUR0, 1h0m.

5:30pm

American Cemetery (Colleville‑sur‑Mer)

Pay respects at the Normandy American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach; open daylight hours and free to enter (visitor center hours vary).
EUR0, 0h45m.

7:30pm

Dinner — Caen

Return to Caen for dinner; choose from a range of bistros offering Normandy produce.
EUR30, 1h30m.

Day 6: Mulberry & Caen Memorial

Arromanches, Longues‑sur‑Mer, Caen, France on June 6, 2026

9:00am

Arromanches 360° Cinema and batteries

Start at Arromanches to see the Mulberry Harbour remains and the 360° film about the landings; the film and site usually operate from mid-morning to early evening (entry fee applies).
EUR6, 1h0m.

10:30am

Longues‑sur‑Mer battery

Visit the coastal German gun battery with preserved casemates for close-up of coastal defenses — site typically open daytime and free to walk around.
EUR0, 0h45m.

12:30pm

Lunch — coastal village

Lunch near Arromanches or en route back to Caen; seafood platters and galettes are popular choices.
EUR20, 1h0m.

2:30pm

Mémorial de Caen (Caen Memorial museum)

Spend the afternoon at the Caen Memorial, a major museum covering WWII, D‑Day and European history; typical hours ~9:30–18:00 and allow 2–3 hours for a thorough visit.
EUR22, 2h30m.

6:30pm

Evening — Caen old town

Relax in Caen's old town; enjoy a final Normandy dinner with cider or Calvados.
EUR35, 1h30m.

Day 7: Return via Eurotunnel

Calais → Folkestone → Nottingham, England on June 7, 2026

7:00am

Depart Caen for Calais

Early departure to reach Calais comfortably for your Eurotunnel reservation; driving time ~2 h 45 min–3 h.
EUR0, 3h0m.

11:00am

Eurotunnel crossing back to UK

Check in per Eurotunnel guidance (arrive 45–60 minutes early for car) and cross to Folkestone (~35 minutes on shuttle).
GBP150, 1h30m.

1:00pm

Drive Folkestone → Nottingham

Drive north-west to Nottingham for your requested overnight stop on the return; journey ~3.5–4 hours depending on traffic.
GBP0, 4h0m.

5:30pm

Check in — Nottingham overnight

Check into your Nottingham hotel; choose central lodging if you want an evening walk in the Lace Market or along the river.
GBP95, 0h30m.

7:00pm

Dinner — Nottingham

Enjoy a hearty English dinner or gastropub meal in Nottingham to cap the trip before driving home to Glasgow the next day.
GBP30, 1h30m.
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