School trips to Ypres are ideal for students studying the WW1 in any capacity, from the warfare itself to the literature borne from the soldiers’ experiences, and even the history of medicine and its development during WW1.

All of this makes Ypres the perfect base for history school trips and English literature school trips to the WW1 battlefields in Belgium. And you can also choose to include a visit to the Somme, to further explore the lasting impact of the war.

We’ll work closely with you to tailor-make your school trip to Ypres to ensure that it suits the specific requirements of your group and leaves them with a greater appreciation of the scale of the destruction that the First World War left in its wake.

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Why visit Ypres?

Explore the WW1 battlefields in Belgium

Ypres is a small town in Belgium that occupied an important strategic position during WW1. It stood in the path of the German’s Schlieffen Plan, as they intended to sweep into France from the north.

The Allies captured the town from the Germans in 1914 and it remained a focus for some of the most intense fighting throughout the war.

There are many fascinating sites of interest in and around Ypres that will bring this period to life for your students. Visits to war graves such as those at the Tyne Cot British Cemetery and memorials such as Menin Gate will bring home to your students the incredible number of lives that were lost during WW1. They’ll also be able to visit museums and recreated trenches, to learn more about the experiences of those soldiers.

Discover the experiences of WW1 soldiers

A school trip to Ypres offers plenty of opportunities for your students to discover what life was like for the soldiers who fought in WW1.

At the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, your students can see what the network of trenches and dugouts looked like and how they were used.

And at Talbot House, they can find out more about how soldiers managed to find some respite from the violence of the Western Front. The house is very much as it was during WW1. Your students will discover how rank was left at the door of this ‘every man’s club’ and they’ll see how important it was for soldiers to have the time to rest and enjoy some entertainment away from the fighting.

Understand the importance of remembrance

Many of the visits in and around Ypres are focused on keeping the memory of WW1 alive. There are many cemeteries, museums and memorials here to ensure that the world doesn’t forget the sacrifice of that generation of men who fought in the First World War.

This gives your students the opportunity to reflect on the importance of remembrance. Why do we still mark Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday? Why do we wear poppies? Why do we still make an effort to remember a war that ended over 100 years ago? All of these questions can be answered for them with a school trip to Ypres.

And, of course, not to be missed on a school trip to Ypres is the opportunity to take part in the moving Last Post Ceremony, which takes place every evening at the town’s famous Menin Gate. Some of your students will be able to lay a wreath as part of the ceremony, and this will be an honour that they’ll never forget.

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Take a look at our range of Ypres school trips below, and then get in touch with one of our tour advisers to discuss your requirements.

Prices from £176 pp

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Frequently Asked Questions

In order to make the most of Ypres and the WW1 battlefields, we would recommend spending at least 2 days there on your school trip. And if you want to include visits to Dunkirk and Waterloo, we would recommend increasing this to at least 4 days.

Coach is definitely the best way to get around Ypres and the WW1 battlefields area. We'll arrange a comfortable coach for you to use during your stay, so you don't need to worry about negotiating public transport.

Of course, as most people visit Ypres on WW1 history trips, many of the must-visits are WW1 themed. These include excellent museums, such as In Flanders Fields Museum and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917. Talbot House is a great visit as it shows students what soldiers did for some respite from the fighting, and Tyne Cot is one of the many cemeteries and memorials in the area where students can pay their respects to the fallen soldiers while also deepening their understanding of the scale of the devastation caused by WW1. Our groups also love the opportunity to participate in the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.

As one of the most popular experiences on our school trips to Ypres, you'll be pleased to discover that it's completely free to participate in the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. And as a bit of light relief, you can also visit the Leonidas Chocolate Shop to learn more about Belgian chocolates (while the visit is free, we can't guarantee your group won't want to splash out on a few chocolatey treats!).

Yes, Ypres is a fantastic destination for a variety of subjects including history, English literature and music. And within history, you can cover WW1, history of warfare and medicine through time.

Why choose Halsbury?

Here are just a few reasons why teachers choose Halsbury for educational school trips that inspire.

School trips designed by teachers for teachers

Originally founded by teachers in 1986, we understand the pressures on you as Group Leader and are here to make the process of running your school trip as easy as possible.

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School trips tailored to your curriculum

We'll design your trip around your specific learning objectives and curriculum, to ensure your school trip is a truly educational experience.

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Health & safety prioritised

As a proud Assured Member of the School Travel Forum, the health and safety of your group is always our priority.

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Support every step of the way

We'll be with you every step of the way, from your very first enquiry until the moment you return home, including 24-hour support while you’re on your school trip.

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Financially secure school trips

We're ABTA bonded and all our air tours are ATOL protected, so you can be sure that your school trip is financially secure.

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Rewarding loyalty scheme

You'll earn loyalty points from your very first school trip with Halsbury. These can be used towards a discount on your school trip or a free gift for your school.

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The Halsbury Difference

School trips designed by teachers for teachers

Originally founded by teachers in 1986 and with several former teachers in our team, we understand the pressures on you as Group Leader and work hard to relieve them.

Trips tailored to your curriculum and learning objectives

We’ll design your trip around your specific learning objectives and curriculum, to ensure it meets your particular requirements.

Rewarding loyalty scheme

Work together with other teachers in your school to save thousands of pounds on future school trips with our multi-trip loyalty scheme!