History of Warfare School Trip to Ypres, Waterloo & Dunkirk
Explore the history of warfare with your students on a history school trip to Waterloo, Ypres and Dunkirk!
From the cavalries of Waterloo, to the trenches of WW1 and the industrialised warfare of WW2, your students will have the opportunity to explore for themselves the significant developments in warfare between 1815 and 1945.We’ll tailor your trip to meet your specific requirements, but not to be missed is the opportunity to attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, where your students can lay a wreath on behalf of your school.
Prefer to concentrate on the developments in warfare between the two world wars? We also offer a history of warfare school trip to Normandy and the Somme.
Suggested Itinerary (4 days, 3 nights)
Day 1/4
Morning
Depart from school
Afternoon
Arrive in Ypres and visit Passchendaele Museum and Tyne Cot British Cemetery
Evening
Evening meal
Day 2/4
Morning
Visit the Wellington Museum
Evening
Evening meal
Visit the Menin Gate for the Last Post Ceremony
Day 3/4
Morning
Visit In Flanders Fields Museum, Hill 62 Museum, Essex Farm Dressing Station, Hooge Crater Museum
Evening
Evening meal
Day 4/4
Morning
Drive to Dunkirk and visit the Operation Dynamo Museum
Visit La Coupole Museum - former Nazi V2 rocket base
Afternoon
Eurotunnel crossings and return to school
What's included?
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3 nights' half-board accommodation
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Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
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Detailed info pack
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Free staff place ratio 1:8
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Itinerary planning service
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Motorway tolls and taxes
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Return Channel crossings
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Return executive coach travel
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Vamoos - our easy-to-use travel app
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VAT at current rate to tour operators
Curriculum Links
A-Level
- Louis XIII
- The French Revolution
- 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
- Conflict and tension: WW1
- The Western Front
- Inter-war years: 1918-1939
- Developments in British warfare
- Life in wartime Britain
- Germany: democracy and dictatorship
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
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
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
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… 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
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
Wellington Museum
People come from all over the world to find out more about the events of 18th June 1815. This battle… 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… 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.
Ypres Lodge is one of the top choice hotels for school groups travelling to the battlefields. It consists of 3 wings; all rooms are en-suite and have televisions. Students are in multi-bedded rooms while staff are provided with twins.Breakfast is served every day, and both packed lunches and the evening meal are available on request from the hotel's on-site restaurant.Hotel facilities free WiFi, pool tables, football pitch, table football, vending machines, karaoke facilities (on request) and a meeting room for group activities. There is also a bar for group leaders to relax in during the evening.
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.
I would definitely recommend Rouen. It is not the most beautiful city in France, but it is rich in history (Joan of Arc, Monet…) and the old town is very nice and pleasant to walk around. It is quite good for shopping and it is not too far from England so practical to go by coach. I was also very impressed by the language school who were really nice, on board and very well organised.— King Alfred's Academy
Your School Trip is Fully Protected
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- 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.