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0115 9404 303School WW1 Battlefield Tour trip to Ypres and the Somme
Experience the living conditions in the trenches and the destructive power, waste and futility of war by touring the Battlefields of the Ypres Salient and the Somme. Follow the events of the 1916 Battle of the Somme by following the Circuit of Remembrance, explore the preserved trenches at the Hill 62 Museum in Ypres and take part in the Platoon Experience at the Passchendaele Museum, where students spend a day in the life of an Australian soldier, participating in the Tyne Cot attack of 4 October 1917.
from
£119 pp
3 days/2nights
Call 0115 9404 303 to customise this trip
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Includes:
- Return executove coach travel (TV, DVD, W/C, seatbelts)
- Return ferry or tunnel crossings
- 2 nights half board accommodation
- Free staff ratio 1:8
- Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
- Detailed information pack
- Itinerary Manager
- Motorway tolls and taxes
Suggested Activities
Sample Itinerary
Example AccommodationHill 62 Museum/Sanctuary Wood
Sanctuary Wood and its trench museum are today the most authentic and vivid portrayal of what is was like to live in the filth and mud of Flanders. The museum collection contains equipment removed from the battlefield in the vicinity. There is a room with many photographs on the walls and a large, rare collection of three dimensional photo images in viewing boxes.
The Platoon Experience
Your group will be put in the position of an Australian Platoon in 1917. Students will be fully dressed and equipped - rifle, luggage and uniform!Each member of the platoon embodies an Australian who was actually there then, walking across the very terrain 90 years ago. Bit by bit, students learn more about him as a person and at the end of the day, on Tyne Cot Cemetery, you’re informed abou...
Tyne Cot Cemetery
within a kilometre of the farthest point in Belgium reached by the Allied forces, this is the largest military cemetery in the world with 11,908 graves. It takes its name from the German concrete bunkers, whose ruins still remain, which were thought by soldiers from the 50th Northumbrian division to look like Tyneside cottages.
In Flanders Fields
Housed in the former Cloth Hall in the historic heart of Ypres. In Flanders Fields is a perfect starting point for an exploration of the Ypres salient. This interactive museum allies artefacts with documentary film, audio-visual presentations and contemporary artwork to vividly portray the horror and brutality of the events of 1914-1918. An essential stop for even the shortest tour.
Somme 1916 Museum
From the 9th to the 16th centuries, the people of Albert, like many in the region, got used to hiding underground to avoid attacks from the invaders from Normandy and then Spain. During the First World War Albert became a British garrison town. It was from Albert that the doomed offensive on July 1st 1916 was launched. Later in 1918, at the time of the Ludendorff offensive, most of the town was be...
Thiepval Memorial to the Missing
The slaughter on the Somme wiped out a generation, and continues to cast a shadow on Britain’s popular consciousness. This colossal brick structure records the names of 72,000 British soldiers whose bodies were never found.
Newfoundland Memorial Park, Beaumont-Hamel
On the first day of the battle of the Somme, eight hundred men of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment went over the top here. Half an hour later, only 68 were left alive and uninjured. The preserved trenches and Caribou monument are a fitting memorial to these men who died thousands of mile from home. Guided tours are available upon request but need to be booked well in advance!
| Morning | Afternoon | Evening | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Travel from UK |
Preserved trenches at Hill 62 and Langemark Cemetery |
Evening meal and Ten Pin Bowling |
| Day 2 |
1916 Somme Museum in Albert. Lochnagar Crater, Newfoundland Park, Thiepval Memorial |
Evening meal and Last Post Ceremony |
|
| Day 3 |
Platoon Experience and Tyne Cot Cemetery |
Travel back to UK |
|
Ypres Lodge
The Ypres Lodge is a popular choice amongst school groups. It consists of 2 wings, the first has been recently renovated and is a purpose built annex adjoining Best Western Hotel Flanders Lodge. Students will be accommodated in multi-bedded rooms and staff in twins.
The new wing, open since July 09 offers 16 multi-bedded rooms, there are 2 showers per room and a separate toilet. Room facilities include television, cupboards, night cabinets and a table and chair. There is a room that groups can use in the evening that has both table tennis and pool tables.
There is a coffee shop for refreshments or snacks and meeting rooms, in addition to an auditorium equipped for video conferences at the Flanders Language Valley estate across the road.
Please note we are not able to guarantee which annex the group are placed in.
The new wing, open since July 09 offers 16 multi-bedded rooms, there are 2 showers per room and a separate toilet. Room facilities include television, cupboards, night cabinets and a table and chair. There is a room that groups can use in the evening that has both table tennis and pool tables.
There is a coffee shop for refreshments or snacks and meeting rooms, in addition to an auditorium equipped for video conferences at the Flanders Language Valley estate across the road.
Please note we are not able to guarantee which annex the group are placed in.
Munchenhof Hotel
The 3 star Hotel Munchenhof is located by the market square in the centre of Langemark. The hotel consists of the main building and 2 purpose built annexes offering a total of 127 beds. Students are generally accommodated in 3-4 bedded rooms and staff in twins. Facilities include a bowling alley and disco rooms which can be reserved in advance for evening entertainment.
The warm and friendly welcome at this hotel makes it a favourite for school parties.
The warm and friendly welcome at this hotel makes it a favourite for school parties.
Hotel Menin Gate
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 3-10 bedded rooms, staff in twins or singles (supplement may apply). All rooms are en-suite. Breakfast is served on site, with meals taken at a nice restaurant in the town centre (a 2 minutes walk away). Facilities include a recreational room with TV, pool table, pinball machines, table football, 10 internet computers (free of charge, a staff room with minibar and digital TV as well as a large garden.
Poppies d'Albert
Poppies d'Albert is a purpose built hotel, catering exclusively for school groups. It is located in the historic town of Albert, in the very heart of the battlefields of the Somme.
The Hotel can accommodate 3 coaches at a time and each are allocated sole occupancy of their floor.
Students are accommodated in multibedded rooms all of which have en-suite shower, toilet and washbasin.
Each floor has a games room with a pool table and a drinks machine. There is also a staff lounge on each floor with computer, free internet access and minibar.
The Hotel can accommodate 3 coaches at a time and each are allocated sole occupancy of their floor.
Students are accommodated in multibedded rooms all of which have en-suite shower, toilet and washbasin.
Each floor has a games room with a pool table and a drinks machine. There is also a staff lounge on each floor with computer, free internet access and minibar.
