WW2 Talks & Tours

To mark Weymouth Armed Forces Weekend – Learn all about Weymouth’s role in World War II on these guided talks and tours. 

Saturday 20 – Sunday 21 June
10am – 4pm

Schedule:

South West Area Sea Cadet Band Marching Practice Display – Saturday throughout the day (time to be confirmed)

Saturday

• Guided Tours around the Fort
  Start time: running hourly from 10.30am – 12.30pm
  A guided walking tour exploring how Nothe Fort and Portland Harbour were defended in WW2, bringing together key sites, military technology and local human stories.
  
  
• Talk: D-Day Dorset: Weymouth, Portland, and the Road to Normandy
  Start Time: 11am
  Duration: 15 minutes
  A talk exploring how Weymouth and Portland became a key staging ground for D-Day, combining large-scale military preparations with the impact of American troops on local life.
  
  
• Talk: Operation Sealion & Operation Overlord
  Start Time: 12 noon
  Duration: 45 minutes with 15 mins for Q&A[
  A wide-ranging talk tracing the threat of German invasion through Operation Sealion to the reality of D-Day, highlighting Weymouth and Portland’s strategic role and the human impact of the war.
• Talk: Life as an Evacuee during WW2
  Start Time: 1.30pm
  Duration: 30-40 mins
  A personal and local look at wartime evacuation, exploring the experiences of evacuees and Weymouth families, including the arrival of Guernsey evacuees and life during and after the war. 

Sunday

Talks starting later to account for the Town ceremony.

• Guided Tours around the Fort
  Start time: running hourly from 10.30am – 12.30pm
  A guided walking tour exploring how Nothe Fort and Portland Harbour were defended in WW2, bringing together key sites, military technology and local human stories.
   
• Talk: D-Day Dorset: Weymouth, Portland, and the Road to Normandy
  Start Time: 12 noon
  Duration: 15 minutes
  A talk exploring how Weymouth and Portland became a key staging ground for D-Day, combining large-scale military preparations with the impact of American troops on local life.
• Talk: Operation Sealion & Operation Overlord
  Start Time: 1pm
  Duration: 45 minutes with 15 mins for Q&A
  A wide-ranging talk tracing the threat of German invasion through Operation Sealion to the reality of D-Day, highlighting Weymouth and Portland’s strategic role and the human impact of the war.
• Talk: Life as an Evacuee during WW2
  Start Time: 2.30pm
  Duration: 30-40 mins
  A personal and local look at wartime evacuation, exploring the experiences of evacuees and Weymouth families, including the arrival of Guernsey evacuees and life during and after the war. 

Intended Audience age for talks: 16+

More to be announced!

This event is covered by your Annual Pass/General Admission ticket price.

ADMISSION INFORMATION:

• This event is included in the price of admission and is FREE with an Annual Pass.

• What3Words Location for Nothe Fort: dogs.claim.nest

• Parking: parking is available outside the fort at Nothe Car Park (What3Words: mixed.stuck.serve)

• Seating Provided: – There are seats all around the Fort if required while on site.

• Food and Drink: The Fort View Café will be open for the duration of this event.

• Dogs: We are a dog-friendly museum. We ask that all dogs remain on short leads at all times. Please expect to see dogs in the Fort during your visit. 

• Wheelchair User Access: Nothe Fort is mostly wheelchair accessible and has a lift to all three levels.

• If you have any access requirements before your visit, please contact Nothe Fort ahead of your visit (01305 766626).