Discover the WW1 Battlefields in Belgium and France
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Tyne Cot cemetery ©Commonwealth war graves commission
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Tyne Cot Cemetary ©Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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Thiepval and Visitor Centre
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Wellington Quarries, Arras, France
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Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
Highly Recommended – Tried and Tested
Although 11th November 2018 marked 100 years since the Armistice, the significance of World War One has not dwindled. It is vital that our future generations learn about this monumental period in our history. This WW1 battlefields school trip allows students to see the battlefields for themselves. It offers authentic insight into what happened during the ‘War to End All Wars’.
The infamous WW1 Flanders and Somme Battlefields are some of the most poignant destinations for a student group to visit. Students will take away unforgettable memories of indescribable experiences of a generation whose lives ended at a tragically young age. Ypres was the site of a series of battles that were to be decisive in the outcome of the first global conflict. It is difficult to imagine the suffering and the sacrifice that took place, or the horrendous conditions in which men lived and fought.
Visit the remains of trenches and Allied and German cemeteries along with an informative Battlefields guide bringing the stories to life. The award-winning ‘In Flanders Fields’ museum in Ypres is a must see! As is the haunting Wellington Quarries in Arras, which provides an enlightening and emotional journey.
Dates
Dates available on request
Suggested Excursions
Flanders Battlefields
Visit the Flanders Battlefields around Ypres. Begin the day with a visit to the ‘In Flanders Fields Museum’ which has been renovated and improved in recent years. Located in the former cloth halls of Ypres the museum presents the story of WWI in the West Flanders front region.
In the afternoon, have a guided coach tour around the 14-18 route. Stop at Essex Farm where John McCrae wrote his famous ‘In Flanders Fields’ poem, Langemarck Cemetery which is one of only four German cemeteries in the Flanders region and Tyne Cot Cemetery which is the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world. Finish the day at the Menin Gate to witness the emotional Last Post Ceremony (every evening at 20.00hrs).
The Somme Battlefields
Head over the border into France for a full day around The Somme Battlefields. Your full day tour guide will travel with you to visit Lochnagar Crater, Thiepval Memorial, a memorial to the officers and men who lost their lives in the Somme and have no known grave, Ulster Tower and Newfoundland Park which remembers the Newfoundlanders, French, British and German armies who died on this site.
In the afternoon, visit Wellington Quarries in Arras, a large system of underground tunnels used by British troops in the First World War and a great opportunity for students to experience the conditions for themselves.
Suggested Hostels
Munchenhof Hostel, Langemark
A favourite with many school groups, the Munchenhof hostel offers dormitory accommodation close to Ypres and the main WW1 battlefield sites. The hostel has its own ten-pin bowling alley next door available at a small supplement (pre-booking required).
Ypres Lodge, Ypres
Next to the well-known Flanders Lodge, the accommodation is approximately 1 mile from the centre of Ypres and near the main WW1 sites. It offers dormitory accommodation with onsite games such as ping-pong and table football.
We have a varied selection of alternative accommodation options in Belgium and France, including hotels and hostels in the city and the surrounding suburbs to suit your school’s requirements and budget. Please contact us for further details
Pricing Information
Greatdays pride themselves on tailor-making all our tours to suit your school’s individual requirements and requests. Tours are based upon your preferred number of students and accompanying staff, travel options, package inclusions and most importantly budget. Our experienced product staff have a wealth of knowledge of the city and will produce an individualised package for your school.
