A history school trip to Ypres and the Somme will give your students the opportunity to experience the living conditions in the trenches for themselves!
By putting themselves in the soldiers’ shoes in the battlefields of the Ypres Salient and the Somme, they’ll better understand the destructive power, waste and futility of war.
The events of the 1916 Battle of the Somme will be brought to life for them as you follow the Circuit of Remembrance, taking part in the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. Other highlights include the interactive In Flanders Fields museum, and the British Dugout Experience and German trench system at the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917.
Suggested Itinerary (3 days, 2 nights)
Day 1/3
Morning
Travel from UK
Afternoon
Passchendaele Museum - Trench Experience and Tyne Cot Cemetery
Evening
Evening meal and ten pin bowling
Day 2/3
Morning
1916 Somme Museum in Albert
Afternoon
Lochnagar Crater, Newfoundland Park, Thiepval Memorial, Vimy Ridge
Evening
Evening meal and Last Post Ceremony
Day 3/3
Morning
In Flanders Fields Museum and Essex Farm
Evening
Travel back to England
What's included?
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2 nights' half-board accommodation
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Access to the Vamoos app to download all tour-related travel documents
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Comprehensive travel and medical insurance including I.P.T.
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Detailed information pack
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Free itinerary planning service
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Free staff place ratio 1:8
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Motorway tolls and taxes
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Return executive coach travel
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Return ferry or Eurotunnel crossings
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VAT at current rates to tour operators
Curriculum Links
A-Level
- The changing nature of warfare
- Life in the trenches
- Developments in British warfare
- Life in wartime Britain
- Challenges of German nationalism
- Germany: democracy and dictatorship
- Germany and West Germany
GCSE
- Developments in British warfare
- Conflict and tension: WW1
- The Western Front
- Life in wartime Britain
Key Stage 3
- Challenges for Europe and the wider world, 1901
Primary
- British history beyond 1066
Educational activities and visits
Essex Farm
John McCrae's 'In Flanders Fields' remains, to this day, one of the most memorable war poems ever written. It is… Read More
In Flanders Fields Museum
This interactive museum mixes artefacts with documentary film, audio-visual presentations and contemporary artwork to vividly portray the horror and brutality… Read More
Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917
The museum commemorates the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, in which there were 500,000 casualties in 100 days in which… Read More
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… Read More
Somme 1916 Museum
From the ninth to the sixteenth centuries, the people of Albert, like many in the region, got used to hiding… Read More
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… 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 Commonwealth… Read More
Vimy Ridge
In April 1917, Canadian soldiers wrested control of the escarpment here in a brief but bloody battle. A striking monument… Read More
Hooge Crater Museum
On the site where some of the fiercest battles were fought is the 'Hooge Crater' Museum 1914-1918, one of the… Read More
Cultural activities and visits
Bellewaerde Park
Bellewaerde Park is Belgium’s oldest theme park. Built around an ancient castle, this theme park is located only 75 minutes… Read More
Leonidas Chocolate Shop
Hans and Stephanie are always happy to welcome you to their chocolate shop! Situated in the Grote Markt main square… Read More
Accommodation
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 PA intercom system, 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.
This school group hotel consists of 2 purpose-built annexes. Facilities include free WiFi in the reception area, pool tables, table tennis, TV lounge, football pitch, table football and a basketball court. All bedrooms are en-suite. The hotel has a self-service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and evening meals. There is a swipe card system to gain entry to floors, rooms and lifts for extra security.
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. Students are accommodated in multi-bedded rooms all of which have an en-suite shower, toilet and washbasin. Breakfast is served at the hotel, and the evening meal in a local restaurant.Each floor has a games room with a pool table and a drinks machine. There is also a staff lounge on each floor with computers, free internet access and a minibar. A room is available for group activities. Next to the hotel are a football pitch and a swimming pool, both of which can be used by the hotel's guests.
Supporting you every step of the way
1 Creating Your Perfect Trip
We'll tailor make your school trip to meet your specific requirements
2 Launching your trip to parents and students
Head to our resources section for FREE promotional materials
3 After you've booked
Your dedicated Itinerary Coordinator will work with you on the finer details of your trip
4 While you're away
You'll be able to reach us 24/7 during your trip if you need our help
5 After your trip
Head back to our resources section to continue the learning
Need help?
Laura Martin — 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.
The tour company and our coach driver were A*! We are looking forward to booking with you again next year!— Surbiton High School
Your School Trip is Fully Protected
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
Safety prioritised
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.
Financial protection
Our ABTA bond means all our school trips are financially protected. Plus, all air tours and flights arranged by us are also ATOL protected.
Quality educational experiences
The Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge is your reassurance that Halsbury Travel is committed to offering LOtC activities that are safe and beneficial to learning.