Morning
Depart school School English Literature Trip to Ypres
For groups studying First World War poetry, an English literature school trip will be an unforgettable experience!
John McCrae’s In Flanders Fields remains to this day one of the most memorable war poems ever written. It’s a lasting legacy of the terrible battle in the Ypres Salient in the spring of 1915. Essex Farm, where he wrote the poem, was originally the site of an Advanced Dressing Station and the surgeons’ dugouts can still be visited.
You can also visit Vancouver Corner, the site of the first recorded use of poison gas on the Western Front, bringing to mind Owen’s poem Dulce et Decorum Est. And you mustn't miss the opportunity to take part in the evocative Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. Plus, of course, this destination is ideal for a cross-curricular school trip in partnership with your school's history department.
Sample itinerary
Day 1/2
Morning
Depart school 
Afternoon
Visit to the In Flanders Fields Museum
Evening
Last Post Ceremony
Day 2/2
Afternoon
Guided literature tour, including Essex Farm, Vancouver Corner, Tyne Cot and Hill 62
What's included?
1 night's half-board accommodation- Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
- Detailed information pack
- Free staff place ratio 1:8
- Itinerary planning service
- Motorway tolls and taxes
- Return Channel crossings
- Return executive coach travel
- Vamoos travel app - giving you access to all your trip documents on your phone or tablet
- VAT at current rates to tour operators
Activities
Essex Farm
John McCrae's 'In Flanders Fields' remains, to this day, one of the most memorable war poems ever written. It is a lasti… Read more
Hill 62 Museum/Sanctuary Wood
Sanctuary Wood and its trench museum show an authentic and vivid portrayal of what is was like to live in the filth and… Read more
In Flanders Fields Museum
This interactive museum mixes artefacts with documentary film, audio-visual presentations and contemporary artwork to… Read more
Menin Gate
Situated on Menin Road where men used to march from Ypres to the front lines, the Menin Gate is a memorial to some… Read more
Tyne Cot British Cemetery
Within a kilometre of the farthest point in Belgium reached by the Allied forces lies the largest cemetery for Commo… Read more
Supporting you every step of the way!
Creating your perfect trip
We'll tailor make your school trip to meet your specific requirements
We'll tailor make your school trip to meet your specific requirements
Launching your trip
Head to our resources section for FREE promotional materials
Head to our resources section for FREE promotional materials
After you've booked
Your dedicated Itinerary Coordinator will work with you on the finer details of your trip
Your dedicated Itinerary Coordinator will work with you on the finer details of your trip
While you're away
You'll be able to reach us 24/7 during your trip if you need our help
You'll be able to reach us 24/7 during your trip if you need our help
After your trip
Head back to our resources section to continue the learning
Head back to our resources section to continue the learning
Accommodation
Best Western Flanders Lodge
Hotel Menin Gate
The Poppies School Hotel
The Best Western Flanders Lodge is a modern log cabin-style hotel. French cuisine is served in the Wintergarden restaurant. There is a coffee shop for refreshments or snacks and three meeting rooms, in addition to an auditorium equipped for video conferences at the Flanders Language Valley estate across the road.
The Best Western Flanders Lodge is located in the heart of the historic World War I Ypres Salient, 1 mile from the Menin Gate memorial, and one hour away from the Somme battlefields.
This former textile factory provides a brilliant base for groups visiting the battlefields and is located 100m away from the Market Square in Ypres town centre.
Students will be accommodated in multi-bedded rooms, and staff in twins or singles (supplement may apply). All rooms are en-suite, and with a group size of 35 or more, you will have sole occupancy of the premises.
Breakfast is served on site, and evening meals are taken at a nice restaurant in the town centre just two minutes' walk away. Packed lunches are available on request.
Facilities include a recreational room with TV, pool table, pinball machines, table football, free WiFi throughout, a large garden, and a staff room with minibar and digital TV.
Once an inter-war pension for British soldiers, the Poppies School Hotel is now a popular choice amongst school groups visiting the battlefields of the Western Front.
Students will be accommodated in multi-bedded rooms, staff in twins or singles (single supplement applies). All rooms are en-suite and the hotel operates on a sole occupancy basis.
The hotel serves breakfast every day, but the evening meal is taken at a local restaurant in the town centre. Packed lunches are available on request.
Facilities include a lounge and recreational room with TV, pinball machine, table football, pool table, 5 internet computers and an extensive courtyard.
Reviews
Bedford Girls’ School, April 2019
I cannot think of any improvement to suggest. Would like to mention how brilliant your staff have been throughout all the planning period. They always listened and tried to find a solution to all our requests even though some of them were made at a very late stage and all communication was excellent. We are delighted and will definitely book out next trip with Halsbury.Need help?
Laura Lucas - Tour Adviser
Don’t hesitate to contact me for any advice or further information on how your school trip can be tailored to your requirements.
0115 9404 303
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As a fully-accredited school travel company, booking with Halsbury Travel offers you complete peace of mind. Our accreditations are your guarantee that:
- Your school trip will be fully financially protected
- Your group’s safety will be prioritised
- Your trip will be a quality educational experience
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Our ABTA bond means all our school trips are financially protected. Plus, all air tours and flights arranged by us are also ATOL protected.
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As an Assured Member of the School Travel Forum (STF) we have an effective Safety Management System in place.
As well as reassuring you that your group's safety will be prioritised at all times, this will also help you to meet your due diligence and reduces the amount of External Provider paperwork required.
Quality educational experiences
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