Find out how wounded WW1 soldiers were treated in the field and discover who was treating them.
School trips to Ypres are ideal for students studying 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 school groups studying history or English literature. You can also include a visit to the Somme and further explore the lasting impact of the Great 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.
Browse our trips
WW1 Medical Aid School Trip to Ypres
School English Literature Trip to Ypres
Explore the conditions, events and experiences that influenced WW1 poetry and literature.
£199PP
History School Trip To Ypres
Explore the WW1 battlefields and memorials in Ypres to bring history to life.
£176PP
History of Warfare School Trip to Ypres, Waterloo & Dunkirk
Explore the changing nature of warfare with your students on a trip to Waterloo, Ypres and Dunkirk.
£375PP
Battlefield Tour to Ypres and the Somme
Explore the realities and horrors of life in the trenches of the Western Front during WW1.
£266PP
Why choose Halsbury?
We build your trip around you
Tell us your learning objectives, curriculum and budget and we’ll do the rest.
Contact usWe’re trusted for a reason
We’re members of ABTA, ABTOT and the School Travel Forum. We also hold an ATOL and the LOtC Quality Badge.
Read moreOur Education specialists
Laura Lucas
Tour Consultant
Paul Hudson
Tour Consultant
Laura Martin
Tours Sales & Product Manager
Emma Gray da Silva
Tour Consultant
Meet our education specialists and get to know more about the people committed to making your school trip the best it can be.
Why visit Ypres?
Explore a key WW1 battlefield
Ypres is a small town in Belgium that occupied an important strategic position during the First World War. 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.
Many fascinating sites of interest in and around Ypres 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 highlight the incredible number of lives that were lost. They’ll also be able to visit museums and recreated trenches, to learn more about the experiences of those soldiers.
Learn about the lives of 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 the war. 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 allows your students 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, one activity not to be missed in 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.
Other cities in Belgium
Learn more
03 Mar 2023
Exploring the WW1 Battlefields
Zoe, Megan and Laura have just got back from the WW1 battlefields around Ypres - find out what they got up to!
28 Feb 2023
Thinking about a secondary school trip but need some inspiration and support? Don't worry, our school travel experts are here to help with a collection of the best ideas for your group.
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Activities in Ypres that your school group will love
Last Post Ceremony, Menin Gate
Every evening since 1928 the Last Post has sounded at the Menin Gate at 20:00 in homage to the fallen British and Allied soldiers of World War I.
Leonidas Chocolate Shop
Situated in the main square in Ypres, Leonidas Chocolate Shop is a popular choice for some light relief and delicious Belgian chocolates.
Tyne Cot British Cemetery
Take your students to the largest cemetery for Commonwealth forces in the world, and let them reflect on the sheer number of lives lost.
Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917
Commemorating the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, this museum contains fascinating exhibitions and interactive experiences of life in the trenches.
FAQs
How long should we spend in Ypres on a school trip?
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.
What's the best way to get around Ypres?
Travelling by coach is the best way to get around Ypres and the WW1 battlefields. We'll arrange a comfortable coach for you to use during your stay, so you don't need to worry about negotiating public transport.
Which visits are a must on a school trip to Ypres?
As most schools visit Ypres as part of a history-focused trip, many of the must-visits are related to the First World War. These include excellent museums, such as the In Flanders Fields Museum and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917.
In Flanders Fields Museum is one of the most popular visits on our tours to the battlefields. The museum gives students a great overview of the period from 1914 – 1918, and school groups have the option to explore the museum with an audio guide tailored to their age. The museum's education department have also developed some great workshops and tours that could really enhance your trip.
Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 has a fantastic exhibition, as well as reconstructed trenches and an underground bunker for school groups to explore.
Another museum that is well worth a visit is the Hooge Crater Museum. The privately-run museum offers great packages for school groups and has a separate exhibition focused on the Medical Aid GCSE unit.
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.
Are there any free things to do in Ypres?
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. As a bit of light relief, you can also visit the Leonidas Chocolate Shop to learn more about Belgian chocolates – although while the visit is free, we can't guarantee your group won't want to splash out on a few chocolatey treats!
Can I arrange a cross-curricular school trip to Ypres?
Yes, Ypres is a fantastic destination for a cross-curricular trip. It works for a variety of subjects including history, English literature, and music. And within history, there's the potential to cover WW1, the history of warfare, and medicine through time.
Is Ypres safe for students?
Ypres is a lovely, safe town. Your students could very happily walk around independently - perhaps to explore all the great local chocolate shops where they can really enjoy a taste of Belgian chocolate.
Are the WW1 battlefields close to Ypres?
The main WW1 battlefield sites in the Ypres Salient are all located 20-30 minutes from each other and there are plenty of opportunities for groups to stop and visit memorials or cemeteries along the main routes.
Can we combine Ypres with any other destinations?
Yes, Ypres can be combined with a visit to the WW1 battlefields of the Somme to keep a history focus for your trip. Alternatively, if you want to include some cultural visits (or want to make this a cross-curricular trip), you could combine Ypres with the Opal Coast or Paris.
Where should we stay in Ypres?
Our favourite and most-trusted hotels are Poppies 1 and 2, and The Menin Gate from the School Hotel Group, as well as Ypres Lodge and Oude Abdij from the Westhoek Group.
These are all hotels that are tailored specifically to school groups and are located in the centre of Ypres itself or just outside.
All offer comfortable accommodation and a couple of them also have the benefit of sole occupancy if minimum numbers are met.
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