The Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has just announced plans for a major exhibition in 2007 to mark the Navy’s central role in the Falklands War of 1982. ‘Task Force South: The Royal Navy and the Falklands War’ will run from Saturday 31 March 2007 to 29 February 2008, and will explain the Navy’s involvement through the stories of some of the 18,000 individuals who sailed in the Falklands Task Force. The exhibition will also include material loaned by individuals and other collections from all over the country, including P&O and the National Maritime Museum. There will be a full programme of events to support the exhibition, including, ‘Falklands 25: the Naval Experience’, on 18 and 19 May, and a series of talks by veterans of the conflict. Tickets to the Royal Naval Museum are required to visit the exhibition. To book your group’s place, contact them on the following details.   

023 9286 1512  

Quite the victory  

Also in Portsmouth, your group can trace the ‘Faces of History’ that are Churchill, Montgomery and Eisenhower at the D-Day Museum and Overlord Embroidery. Created by The Royal School of Needlework, it displays the stunning visual form of Operation Overlord from its origins in 1940 to victory in Normandy in 1944. Portsmouth was one of the main ports along the south coast and the centre of Operation Overlord. In the museum, the D-Day Story continues with a unique and dramatic archive film bringing the Second World War alive to visitors. The D-Day Museum at Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, is open daily (except 24-26 December) with a souvenir shop, car and coach parking. Catering is also available from May to September. To find out more contact the museum on the details below.  

023 9282 7261  

The weird and wonderful  

The National Maritime Museum Cornwall is offering some great exhibitions for groups this summer. Celebrating British eccentricity, the Mad Dogs and Englishmen exhibitions focus on people and their crazy crafts involved in daring, different, or just plain silly adventures. Also, don’t miss the new Falmouth Gallery, which highlights the importance of Falmouth’s Maritime history, and incorporates an Old Curiosity Shop displaying weird and wonderful items brought back by sailors from world voyages. The museum is open daily from 10 to 5pm. Find out more by contacting them below.  

01326 313388  

An out of space experience  

At the end of May, London will have the brand new Peter Harrison Planetarium at the Royal Observatory in the beautiful location of Greenwich Park. The latest digital laser projector promises 16 million pixel images of distant planets and stars with commentary by enthusiastic staff astronomers to add to the occasion. Good access is provided to the 120-seat auditorium. Opening to the general public from 25 May, there are programmes to suit adult, family and school audiences (these from September). A coffee shop, the Weller Astronomy galleries, the Meridian Line and the National Maritime Museum add further options for any group visitors. To find out more about what’s on offer, you can call them on the number below or visit their website.   

020 8312 6608