Bring Wilfred Owen’s war to life for your students with an English literature school trip to the Somme!
Wilfred Owen’s poems have served to bring the harsh realities of war to the generations that have succeeded him. His work has now been given context with the creation of the Walking in Wilfred Owen’s Footsteps Trail.
The 6km trail takes visitors from the Maison Forestière where Wilfred and his men were sheltering, to the canal banks where he fell. The historic and military context will fascinate and challenge your students. This trip also offers a fantastic opportunity to join forces with your school's history department, deepening all students' understanding of the conflict and how it inspired such beautiful, thought-provoking poetry.
Suggested Itinerary (2 days, 1 night)
Day 1/2
Morning
Travel from UK
Afternoon
Arrive in Cambrai for the Wilfred Owen trail, visiting Forest House, the Sambre Canal and the cemetery at Ors where Owen is buried
Evening
Evening meal
Day 2/2
Morning
Visit Thiepval Memorial, Lochnagar Crater and Newfoundland Park
Afternoon
Return travel to UK
What's included?
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1 night's half-board accommodation
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Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
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Detailed information pack
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Experienced battlefields guide
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Free staff place ratio 1:8
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Itinerary planning service
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Return Channel crossings
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Return executive coach travel
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Vamoos travel app - giving you access to all your trip documents on your phone or tablet
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VAT at current rates to tour operators
Curriculum Links
GCSE
- Power and conflict in poetry
- Identifying literary themes
- Understanding historical contexts
- Comparing and contrasting texts
- Wilfred Owen
- John McCrae
- Lord Tennyson
- Ted Hughes
Key Stage 3
- Understanding our literary heritage
- Understanding historical contexts
- Exploring literary themes
- Wilfred Owen
- John McCrae
- Lord Tennyson
- Ted Hughes
Educational activities and visits
Lochnagar Crater
On the morning of the first day of the battle of the Somme, Welsh miners blew a huge mine under… 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
Wilfred Owen Trail, Northern France
Groups visiting northern France can now follow in the footsteps of the young British war poet Wilfred Owen on a… Read More
Accommodation
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 Lucas — 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 croissant-making visit was a highlight, as was an early morning visit to the beach and Les Baraques military cemetery. A fantastic trip all in all.— Rugby 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.