P7 Normandy Trip 2026

On May 24th - 29th , our P7 year group got the opportunity to go on our first ever school trip abroad, and this was to Normandy, France. The trip started off with an early start on Sunday 24th May. We started to meet at the airport from 4:20am and from there flew to Heathrow, took a bus to Portsmouth, went on the ferry to Caen, then finally took another bus to our final destination, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer.

For the first day, we went to the first two museums of the trip, Pegasus Bridge memorial and the Merville Gun Battery museum. At Pegasus Bridge we were shown a short documentary to help explain what happened there and also saw some of the remaining pieces from D-Day including the original bridge. Afterwards, we also got the opportunity to wander around the museum themselves and have a look at what we found interesting whilst taking notes. Then we went to the Merville Battery, where we toured around in our travel groups and got to see not only the layout of a gun battery but also the inside of a gun placement and what it looks like.

On Tuesday, which was the busiest and longest day of them all, we went to ‘Sweet Délices’ to make cookies, had a walk around Caen, the British Normandy Memorial, and Mulberry Harbour. In the morning, we rotated between going to ‘Sweet Délices’ where we made cookies, which were decorated with their own unique designs, and going on a tour round Caen where we had to find different historical destinations and find out things about them. In the afternoon, we went to the British Normandy Memorial where we walked around all the pillars to see all the names of those under British command who fell on D-day and during the Battle of Normandy. We then saw the temporary silhouettes for each soldier and also got the opportunity to see a branch of the Royal British Legion do a remembrance parade. We then finished off the day at Mulberry Harbour to see the remains of the temporary harbour in the sea, but also all the models and displays from the museum.

Next it was Wednesday, this was certainly everyone's favourite day as after we went to Bayeux Commonwealth War Cemetery in the morning, we went to the Bayeux market and then our favourite, Festyland. In the morning before breakfast, some people went with Mrs Smith for a nice run along the beach, and all pupils very much enjoyed it and it helped us get going for the day. We then went to Bayeux Commonwealth War Cemetery where we were shown a special grave by Mr Macklin, and we then got to have a look at each grave to see the different regiments, awards, and ranks. After this we went to Bayeux market for an hour. We bought a range of things including fruit, sweets, toys, and jewellery. It was then time for what we had all been waiting for, Festyland. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed going on the water bumper cars, roller coasters, and even to a very large spinning pendulum.

On our last day, we went to Point Du Hoc, Omaha beach and finally, the American Cemetery. At Point Du Hoc, we explored around the site and once again got to go inside and see the layout. Then at Omaha beach, we walked along to have a look at what it would have been like for the soldiers. Thinking especially about how when they arrived, they had timed it wrong so they had to cross the very long, flat beach and then go straight to the hills. Finally we went to the American cemetery where we once again walked around but here we also had the mission of finding the graves of those who had been awarded the medal of honour.

A highlight of the trip was going to the beach every night. Everyone loved this. We were playing football with our friends and burying each other in the sand, but mainly we had the most fun when we were in the sea splashing each other until we were drenched.

It was finally time for us to take the same trip again home, except for the twist of our flight getting cancelled and having to wait to go on the next flight - which was very late! It was finally time for us to go home, see our parents and siblings, and have a nice sleep in our own bed.