June 2026 D‑Day Beaches Road Trip

Day 1: Glasgow → Poole → Cherbourg

Morning: Depart Glasgow and drive south to Poole Port (≈5 h). Take a short break at a service area before continuing.

Afternoon: Board the ferry at Poole for a 6‑hour crossing to Cherbourg, France. Enjoy lunch on board and the views of the English Channel.

Evening: Arrive in Cherbourg, collect the rental car and drive to Caen (≈1.5 h). Check into your hotel and have a relaxing dinner.

Day 2: Caen – Omaha Beach & Pointe du Hoc

Morning: Explore the historic streets of Caen and visit the Caen Memorial Museum to set the context for the D‑Day landings.

Afternoon: Drive to Omaha Beach, walk the sand, and view the Normandy American Cemetery nearby.

Evening: Return to Caen for dinner; try the local specialty, cider‑braised pork.

Day 3: Utah & Juno Beaches

Morning: Head to Utah Beach, stop at the Utah Beach Museum and enjoy the quiet shoreline.

Afternoon: Continue to Juno Beach and visit the Juno Beach Centre dedicated to Canadian forces.

Evening: Drive back to Caen, stopping for a sunset view at the cliffs of Arromanches‑les‑Bains.

Day 4: Sword Beach & Bayeux

Morning: Explore Sword Beach and the nearby British War Cemetery.

Afternoon: Visit the medieval town of Bayeux and see the famous Bayeux Tapestry.

Evening: Return to Caen, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the River Orne.

Day 5: Pointe du Hoc & Mont Saint‑Michel

Morning: Drive to the dramatic cliff of Pointe du Hoc, tour the preserved German bunkers.

Afternoon: Take a short detour to the iconic Mont Saint‑Michel for a quick visit and photo opportunity.

Evening: Head back to Caen for a final night dinner, sampling Normandy cheese and cider.

Day 6: Caen → Cherbourg → Poole

Morning: Check out of the hotel and drive to Cherbourg to return the rental car.

Afternoon: Board the return ferry at Cherbourg for the crossing back to Poole.

Evening: Arrive in Poole, pick up a rental car for the journey north.

Day 7: Poole → Half‑way Stop → Glasgow

Morning: Depart Poole and head north, stopping at Stoke‑on‑Trent for coffee and a quick walk.

Afternoon: Continue the drive back to Glasgow, enjoying the countryside scenery.

Evening: Arrive home in Glasgow, unload luggage and reflect on the trip.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Poole Ferry (round‑trip) – 12 h total – £200 per adult (£400 total)
• Car rental (7 days) – 7 days – £350
• Fuel (≈1 500 km) – 150 L @ £1.70/L – £255
• Accommodation (6 nights) – £120 per night – £720
• Caen Memorial Museum – 2 h – £12 per adult (£24 total)
• Omaha Beach Cemetery entry – free (donation £5 per adult) – £10
• Utah Beach Museum – 2 h – £10 per adult (£20 total)
• Juno Beach Centre – 2 h – £12 per adult (£24 total)
• Bayeux Tapestry – 1.5 h – £10 per adult (£20 total)
• Pointe du Hoc tour – 2 h – £12 per adult (£24 total)
• Mont Saint‑Michel entry – 2 h – £11 per adult (£22 total)
• Meals (7 days) – £45 per day per adult – £630
• Miscellaneous (parking, tolls) – £100
• Total Estimated Cost – £2,779

Tips

If you’d like to extend the trip, add an extra day in Normandy to explore the historic town of Honfleur and the Sainte‑Mère‑Église museum. To shorten the itinerary, you could combine Day 4 and Day 5 by skipping Mont Saint‑Michel and focusing solely on the D‑Day sites, reducing the trip by one day and saving roughly £200‑£250 in accommodation and meals.